FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saint Mary's to Host Indiana Commission for Women Hoosier INsight Session
Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579 (desk)
March 29, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—The public is invited to Saint Mary's College on Monday, April 11 to take part in an Indiana Commission for Women (ICW) project titled Hoosier INsight: Women’s Issues Listening Sessions. The event, sponsored by the College’s Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership (CWIL) will take place from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m in Conference Room E of the Student Center. There is no cost to attend.
“We have partnered with the ICW before, and they thought of us right away to host this project, given Saint Mary’s long and deep commitment to serving women’s educational needs. The ICW is hoping that younger women, whom they are especially eager to hear from, will feel welcome in this setting as well,” said Elaine Meyer-Lee, CWIL’s director.
The goal of the listening sessions is for the ICW to be able to better prioritize issues affecting women. Kristin Garvey, executive director of the ICW, believes that this project will be important in addressing the needs of Indiana women. “ICW’s Hoosier INsight project gives Hoosiers an opportunity to voice their opinions and offer real and positive solutions to the challenges that women face,” said Garvey. Women who are unable to attend the sessions but who still want to participate can complete the ICW’s Women’s Issues survey online.
Some discussion questions that women will be asked include:
- What are the issues affecting women in your community?
- Which issues are in most need of immediate attention?
- What is currently being done to address the issues?
- How can we improve or expand existing programs?
- What else should be done?
- Who should be involved?
After reviewing the information gained in the sessions, ICW hopes to establish a statewide, shared action plan to address the needs discussed by the women. “We hope that this initiative will encourage collaboration between organizations so that we can all work together to move Indiana women forward,” Garvey said.
Another listening session will be held later in the day from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Saint Joseph County Public Library. Women who wish to attend one or more of the listening sessions are encouraged to register, but registration is not required. Register online to attend one of the listening sessions, or call (317) 233-6303.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.