Let’s Celebrate the Women of RIT | March 2023
March is Women’s History Month and there are a lot of activities taking place on the RIT campus including a month-long celebration hosted by RIT’s President's Commission on Women. You are invited to look “Beyond the Ratio” of women to men at RIT and to recognize the contributions RIT women are making every day! The kickoff was March 1st with a Women’s Expo in Fireside Lounge and later, a program in Webb Auditorium featuring Jennifer Gabriel, executive director of the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY.
Darci Lane, assistant director, Title IX and Clery Compliance and Betsy Dell, professor, College of Engineering Technology and director of AdvanceRIT, both serve as co-chair of the President’s Commission on Women. They are encouraging the campus community to take part.
Dell says, “We feel it is important to celebrate the women of RIT because too often the focus is on the ratio of men to women. We have chosen the theme “Beyond the Ratio” as we look to set some time aside to look beyond the ratio of women to men at RIT and to recognize the contributions RIT women are making every day.”
Lane adds, “The President’s Commission on Women was created to give special attention to our unique gender ratio. RIT is an amazing place to learn, live, work, and grow for all of us. At the same time, women and gender minorities may have experiences that make their time here more challenging. The President’s Commission on Women is dedicated to the cultural change necessary to attract more women to RIT and help them thrive once they get here.”
“Beyond the Ratio” activities are listed below:
March 8th 10am-3pm Grab & Go at the RIT Spring Career Fair Pick up a button to celebrate! Field House
March 22nd 10am-12pm Stitch and Snack Feeling a bit stressed or want to learn how to fix the holes in your clothing? Join the School of Communication and the Free Art Collective for a mending workshop and coloring session! Fireside Lounge
March 24th 4:30pm-5:30pm Women’s Empowerment Seminar Learn self –defense and empowerment strategies with DDI’s Stella Lee and alphaKDP! Registration is open and there are limited spots HAC 1270 Upper Dance Studio
March 29th 6pm-7pm Breaking the Glass Ceiling Join a panel with Ellen Granberg (Provost), Anna Stenport (CLA Dean), Phillippa Thiuri (AVP for Academic Access and Success), Jacqueline Nicholson (Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics), Alesia Allen (AVP for NTID Diversity and Inclusion), and Doreen Edwards (KGCOE Dean) to ask questions, hear their stories and learn how they broke the glass ceiling. All RIT community members are welcome in the Fireside Lounge, SAU.
Here is a link for more information on the President’s Commission on Women and be sure to check your email this month for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion’s on-going Difference Maker Series celebrating Women’s History Month where we put the spotlight on outstanding RIT colleagues you should know.