At 7 p.m. Wednesday at Espress Yourself, 19 women nominated by the Baker University community will be recognized as the second group of women of strength.
Coordinator of Women’s Programs Tracy Williams said she sent a campus wide e-mail asking people to nominate those they think of as women of strength. They were also asked to write a short explanation as to why they nominated the person. Williams then interviewed the nominees, asking who influenced them and how they described a woman of strength.
Williams hopes the campaign will make people aware of the strength in people they never would have recognized as being strong. She said she defines a woman of strength as a woman who has overcome adversity and helps others.
“Even at their most low, everyone has strength,” Williams said.
Williams said event at Espress Yourself is to celebrate women’s history month. The celebration will include a speech choir performance, poetry readings and a student violin performance. There will also be a plaque with nominees’ names and a poster series with comments from the nominees displayed in the Harter Union.
Williams got the idea from the University of Kansas, which has a similar program. She started the campaign last year in honor of women’s history month, but instead of honoring well-known national figures, she wanted the focus to be more local.
“I didn’t feel that there were a lot of events happening in honor of women’s history month,” Williams said.
Associate Dean of Students Shelby Coxon received a nomination. She said it’s good to set aside a night to recognize women who go above and beyond, especially since women don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
“I think there are a lot of women who do great things around campus; I just think this brings awareness to that fact,” Coxon said.
Nominee Kat Conoley said she thinks a woman of strength is a woman who isn’t afraid to have an unpopular opinion, someone who isn’t intimidated by society and its boundaries. She said society teaches women they should be willing to compromise.
“I think it’s more difficult for women to be emotionally and physically strong individuals,” Conoley said.
Nominee Megan Brokaw said she thinks her generation has really good role models, and it is important to point out those positive role models to young girls.
“I think a woman of strength is a woman that is able to stick by her ideals and beliefs through anything,” Brokaw said.
Williams said the focus of this year’s campaign was women who have done work to end violence against women and those who have spent time researching and helping with the issue.
“(The nominees are) identified as people who serve as role models and influence others,” Williams said.
Conoley said she has done a lot of work at a rape crisis center and at a battered women’s shelter. She hopes people will look at the variety of people and their accomplishments.
Brokaw said it is good to give women credit for the feats they accomplish and celebrate what both staff and students have done.
“Everyone does a lot of great deeds on campus, and I think this is a great way to recognize this,” Brokaw said.
Feminine fête
Music, speeches and poetry add to Women of Strength honors 7 p.m. Wednesday at Espress Yourself