The Penn State Smeal College of Business has coordinated a series of events over two weeks to help celebrate International Women’s Day, recognized by Penn State this year on March 25. International Women’s Day celebrates economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
The Women of Smeal Initiative, which is designed to provide forums for discussing and encouraging women’s leadership, has spearheaded the planning of Smeal events. Those events coincide with events at the University level and in the local community.
“The 2015 theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Make It Happen.’ That sentiment also aligns with the goals we have set for the Women of Smeal Initiative,” said Jennifer Eury, chair of the Women of Smeal Steering Group and Smeal’s director of Honor and Integrity.
“The events planned for the celebration not only offer a number of professional development opportunities, but also avenues to make a difference in our college and the local community.”
The celebration will kickoff on March 18 with two events. The Smeal Executive MBA Program’s Women’s Leadership Forum is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ACE Conference Center in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. A virtual session by co-author Sara Laschever about the importance of negotiation for women titled “Women Don’t Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation -- and Positive Strategies for Change” is slated for noon in 125 Business Building.
Other Smeal events will include:
- “Women and Money: Unique Challenges & Opportunities” by Farnoosh Torabi, 2002 Penn State graduate, -- a virtual session from 12:40 to 1:40 p.m. March 20 in 124 Business Building.
- “Financial Literacy Presentation” by Daad Rizk, Penn State’s financial literacy coordinator from noon to 1 p.m. March 24 in 124 Business Building.
- Striving Toward Awareness & Respect Tomorrow (S.T.A.R.T.) Conference from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27 at the Nittany Lion Inn.
The Women of Smeal are also promoting a social media campaign during the week of March 23-27, aimed at honoring a woman in your life who inspires you.
The campaign asks you honor her by posting a picture along with a caption explaining why she inspires you on your social media accounts.
Be sure to include the hashtag #InspiringWomen as well as @smealcareerconnections so we can join you in celebrating your most inspiring woman. To reach as many people throughout the week, tag three of your friends so they can be a part of the movement, too.
The International Women’s Day Schedule contains a complete listing of events with times, dates and locations.