UI Women’s Leadership Conference

Save the Date for the 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference

The University of Idaho’s Women’s Center, Professional Development and Learning, and Athena Professional Women’s Association— in partnership with Washington State University’s Women’s Resource Center, the WSU-ADVANCE grant, WSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women, and Lewis-Clark State College — will collaborate to host the sixth biennial Women’s Leadership Conference Thursday, March 30, 2017, at the Best Western University Inn in Moscow.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Leaned On While Leaning In: Valuing Women’s Invisible Labor.” The theme will examine how women professionals often experience and deliver disproportionate levels of invisible labor in the workplace — including tasks and responsibilities not detailed in their job descriptions, emotional care work with constituents and colleagues, and other unquantifiable tasks that are vital to their organizations’ success — and yet are rarely recognized or rewarded. The conference will explore ways in which we can shift our thinking and systems of value to place greater emphasis on the importance of this invisible work, and address alternatives to “leaning in” that value all of the contributions of women professionals.

The Women’s Leadership Conference planning committee invites proposal submissions for presentations and workshops that address topics such as work-life balance, “leaning out” as a radical reframing of organizational norms, issues of self-care, women’s leadership, the glass ceiling/glass cliff effect, effective communication strategies and other related topics. A formal call for proposals will be released and widely distributed in mid-November.

The conference offers all women in higher education—staff, faculty, administrators and students—an opportunity to celebrate our differences and create an empowered community that is more inclusive and supportive of women irrespective of social identity, status or institutional role.

Conference attendance is free and will include morning refreshments and lunch. Registration is required and will be available in early January 2017.

For more information on the 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference, visit the conference website; email wlc@uidaho.edu; or call 208-885-2777.

About UI

The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is one of only 72 land-grant research universities in the United States. From its residential campus in Moscow, UI serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, and Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 11,000 students statewide, UI is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. UI competes in the Big Sky Conference and Sun Belt Conference. Learn more: www.uidaho.edu.

Media Contacts:

Lysa Salsbury, Women’s Center

Mandi Coulter, Professional Development & Learning

Erin Chapman, Athena Professional Women’s Organization

Co-chairs, 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference wlc@uidaho.edu

(208) 885-2777