Lake Michigan College & the Andrews University Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Offices are proud to host "Speaking Up With Women," an event aimed at building, motivating, and supporting women everywhere. The event will take place on April 5, 2023, in Buller Hall at Andrews University.
"Speaking Up With Women" is open to the public, and it will feature leaders across Southwest Michigan. The event will start at 4:00 pm and end at 7:00 pm. Attendees can expect an afternoon filled with inspiration, networking, and learning from outstanding women in the region.
The event will begin with everyone paying homage to the late Dr. Gladys Peeples Burks, who was a member of the first graduating class of Benton Harbor Junior College, which is now Lake Michigan College. She later earned an Ed.S. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Dr. Burks was a strong advocate for public education and was recognized on the national level for her work in elementary education.
There will also be a keynote address from Cam Herth, Dean of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office at Lake Michigan College; and Michael Nixon, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Andrews University. The program will then feature student presenters Nicholas Gunn and Khaylee Sands of Andrews University, followed by an intermission with food provided by Base Bowls & Company, a local female-owned and operated business in St. Joseph, Michigan (731 Saint Joseph Drive).
The second half of the event will feature a panel discussion with prominent women leaders in the region, including Mayor of St. Joseph Laura Goos, Andrews University Chaplain Dr. Danielle Pilgrim, co-owner of Express Employment Professionals in St. Joseph Afiya Latham, Lake Michigan College Start to Finish program Director Charmae Sanders, owner of Base Bowls & Company Stephanie Ott, and Benton Harbor Area School Board President Dashuna Robinson. The panelists will share their experiences, insights, and perspectives on various issues affecting women today.
In addition to honoring exceptional women leaders in the region, "Speaking Up With Women" will recognize locally owned businesses and organizations that are owned and operated by outstanding female entrepreneurs.
Lake Michigan College and the Andrews University Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Offices will be awarding Summit Financial Wellness, Princella Tobias, publisher of the Benton Spirit Newspaper; Chelsea Lake of WAUS 90.7 FM; and Andrea Luxton, the first female president of Andrews University with certificates of appreciation for their service and dedication to leadership.
The organizers of "Speaking Up With Women" are confident that this event will be a tremendous opportunity for women in the region to connect, share experiences, and support one another.
For more information about the event, please contact the Andrews University Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office (michaeln@andrews.edu) or the Lake Michigan College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office (cherth@lakemichigancollege.edu, gunnn@andrews.edu).
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.