Northwest celebrating Women’s History Month in March, seeking nominations for Women’s Leadership Awards

Northwest annually commemorates Women’s History Month in March with a women’s summit and the presentation of its Women’s Leadership Awards. (Photo by Lauren Adams/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University is commemorating Women’s History Month in March with educational activities, including its annual women’s summit, where it will again honor some of the women who make a difference in the campus and community.

“It is a great way to celebrate the phenomenal women leaders around us who positively impact Northwest and the Maryville community,” Dr. Jessie Peter, a senior coordinator of diversity at Northwest, said.

The “EmpowerHER” women’s summit will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the J.W. Jones Student Union in the Ballroom and third-floor meeting rooms. Through mini-learning sessions and powerful stories, attendees will gain actionable leadership strategies, valuable insights and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The gathering also will highlight women-owned businesses in the Maryville community and student organizations on campus during a mini-market throughout the day. 

The women’s summit also will honor people within the Northwest and Maryville communities who have demonstrated an outstanding dedication to supporting, advocating for, and establishing a community for others with the annual Northwest Women’s Leadership Awards. Nominees are being accepted in the categories of student, community member, staff and faculty; nominations should be submitted by clicking the link. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 7.

Jill Brown

A luncheon during the Women’s Summit will feature Jill Brown, Northwest’s assistant vice president of university advancement, as a keynote speaker. Brown, who joined the Northwest staff in 2017 as a partnership coordinator for Northwest’s profession-based learning initiatives, operates “Collisions of Awesomeness,” through which she provides keynote addresses and workshops. Brown also is active in the Maryville Lions Club and travels throughout the country as a resiliency speaker for Chi Omega.

Northwest Women’s History Month activities also will include showings of “Live to Lead,” a Netflix series featuring leaders reflecting on their legacies. A screening on Tuesday, March 4, will feature Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. A second screening on Thursday, March 27, will feature environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Both showings will begin at 4 p.m. in the Student Engagement Center on the second floor of the Student Union.

National Women’s History Month originated in 1981 as a week-long celebration and the U.S. Congress declared in 1987 that it be celebrated each March. A presidential proclamation is issued annually to honor the achievements of American women.

Northwest hosts other events each month in the Student Engagement Center in the Student Union to provide the campus community with additional resources and support. March activities include Bobby’s Shop barber service on Sunday, March 2, and Wednesday, March 19, Donuts for Faculty and Staff at 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 3, and H.O.T. Topics at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 20.

To learn more about Women’s History Month events and other upcoming activities at Northwest visit es3b.86899805.com/global/.