Women of Color Empowerment Dinner is May 13

The Women of Color Empowerment event focuses on the struggles, triumphs, and experiences of women of color and their allies. For the first time in our history, we are participating in the Back to Bellingham weekend of activities. Activities we are partnered with throughout the week include the Ethnic Student Center 20 Year Reunion and Compass 2 Campus. The culminating formal dinner with keynote speakers, presentation of the Women of Color Empowerment Award and Scholarship, student entertainment and door prizes takes place on Friday, May 13, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. For information about how to buy tickets or sponsor the event, please visit the website: https://wp.wwu.edu/sos/.
This year, the Dinner has added a pre-event hour at 4:30 p.m. to encourage attendees to dialogue with each other and to check out the Silent Auction items made available as a way to raise funds for the Women of Color Empowerment Scholarship. Contributing to diversity on Western’s campus, the annual event provides opportunities for students, staff, faculty, and community members to share their voices in a supportive atmosphere. Furthermore, students will be encouraged and empowered to persist in their higher education pursuits at WWU.
WOCED Planning Committee members include: Joan Ullin, Event Coordinator and Academic Support Coordinator; Shurla Thibou, Women Studies Faculty; Shar Sarte-Prince, Program Manager, Compass to Campass; Kristen French, WCE Faculty and CEED Director; Bryce Sasaki, Academic Support Coordinator; Elena Pereyra, Academic Support Coordinator; Marli Williams, Academic Support Coordinator; Christina Carlson, Senior Secretary; Gracielle Loree, Katherine Viola, and Victoria Retasket, Graduate Students; Sara Mayers, Ndeye ‘Penda’ Sow, Bernard Ikegwuoha, and Dimtu Jatani, Undergraduates; Stephanie Zee, Resident Director. The following people served as advisory members: Amber Asbjornsen and Caitlin Holman, WWU Foundation; Timothy Bartunek, Sodexo; and Chris Roselli, Alumni Association.
Established in 1999, the Women of Color Empowerment Dinner brought a group consisting of faculty, staff, and students together to dialogue about current issues and share stories of struggle, courage, and accomplishment. Empowering one another, these women provided a foundation of community and support, setting the stage for continued development of the program.
The Women of Color Empowerment Dinner contributes to diversity at Western Washington University. It continues to celebrate the success and accomplishments of women of color. The WOCED provides a forum to address current issues, increasing awareness of and concerns related to the issues of women of color.