Conference History

Her Story, Our Story | Changing Perceptions: The Many Faces of Feminism | Celebrating the Diversity of Women's Lives | Community Connections: Looking In, Looking Out | Celebrating Our Past |Building Alliances | Resisting Apathy | Transcending Terror | Voicing Unspoken Issues | Shaping a National Agenda | Investing in Ourselves | Holding Up Half the Sky | Mapping Our Personal and Professional Lives | Balancing Our Lives | DU Women Networking and Mentoring Women |

Her Story, Our Story

March 6, 2009 "Her Story, Our Story"

Attendance: 240

Gallery Walk: 11 DU Women shared their stories along with the Denver Women's Commission.

PSCU also presented a financial workshop - Build a Basic Budget: The Five Step Spending Plan., The Commerce Room, Driscoll Student Center. Presented by the Public Service Credit Union.

Lunchtime Keynote Speaker:
Opalanga Pugh, Keynote Speaker "Women's Voices: Some Stories are Nice to Tell, Some Stories Must be Told"

Breakout Sessions:

Embodying the Other: Accountability, Reflexivity, and Performance
Kathryn Hobson, Dawn Marie McIntosh, and Cassidy Higgins

Investigating power, privilege, and oppression in Cuernavaca, Mexico: Lessons from the Study Abroad Experiences
Deb Ortega, Ph. D., Dawn Parer, Meredith Metcalf, Margaret Gomez, and Caitlin O'Grady

Invitational Speaking: Dialogue for a Diverse and Changing World
Tiffani Baldwin and Jeanne Jacobs

As I walk through the valley: The self-efficacy of women of color in higher education
Dr. B. Afeni Cobham, Assistant Provost for Student Life

Understanding Their Story: Girls in the Juvenile Justice System
Lisa Pasko, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology

Our Stories Aloud: A Reading of DU Women's Narrative Works
Moderated by Carol Zak-Dance. The following women read excerpts from their published works: Heather Martin, Carol Sampson, Linda Tate, and Rhonda Richmond

Gleaning Her Story: A Creative Writing Workshop
The Women’s College Writers Club

Speaking of Asian Women: Our Voices and Our Choices
Beverley Natividad, Chih-Yun Chiang, Shahreen Mat Nayan—Ph.D graduate students

Writing with Women at The Gathering Place
Jessica Johnson, Laura Meixell, Lisa Zavado, Geoffrey Bateman, Eliana Schonberg, and John Tiedeman

To Sing a Story of Survival: The Life Narratives of Quechua Women in Perú and the U.S.
Allison Krögel

The Great Sorting of Stories
Opalanga Pugh

Story of Your Career; Fantasy, Fact or Fiction
Kaila Wilkes, Career Counselor, DU Career Center

Changing Perceptions: The Many Faces of Feminism

March 7, 2008 "Changing Perceptions: The Many Faces of Feminism"

Attendance: 219

Gallery Walk: 15 DU Women shared their activisms and advocacy with their colleagues and friends

Lunchtime Keynote Speaker:
Vicki Leal Academic Policy Officer and the Governor’s Advocate with the Colorado Department of Higher Education
MC:
Lynn Gangone, Dean, The Women's College, University of Denver

Breakout Sessions:
Wills and Trusts 101
Richard D. Hughes, Attorney at Law

Shared Leadership: Practices and Possibilities
Jo Calhoun and Dr. Patti Helton

A Post Feminist Male Lens
Roddy MacInnes

Putting a Face to Feminism
Carol Zak-Dance and Panelists: Jamila Burleson, Rosanne Juergens, Brenda Julander-Belt
Zoë LeBlanc, and Janice Savacool

Trans-forming Gender Advocacy: Understanding the Spectrum of Gender Identity and Expression and Practical Implications for DU
Sarah Nickels and Panelists: K.R. Roberto, Richard Jones, Jr., and Lisa Pittari

What Difference does it Make to a Real Woman? Positioning the Third World Woman in Western and Third World Feminist Critiques
Amy Bhalla

The Male Face of Feminism: Men’s Movements and Pro-Feminist Men
Doug Gertner, PhD

Electoral System and Women’s Political Participation in Taiwan, U.S. and Beyond:
Global Comparison and Local Perspective
“Jeffrey” Che-huan Shen, Doctoral Student at GSIS

Calculating Balance for Today’s Feminists
Julie Cordova

How to derive Empowerment & Strong Leadership from Addressing Conflict
Elizabeth Suarez

SWAN Presentation of Robin Morgan Award: 2008 Winner

Celebrating the Diversity of Women's Lives

March 2, 2007 "Celebrating the Diversity of Women's Lives"

Attendance: 200

Gallery Walk: 20 DU Women shared hobbies and achievements with their colleagues and friends

Lunchtime Keynote Speakers:
Celeste Ce DeBaca, City and County of Denver judge;
Sally McKee, Associate to the President for Diversity and head of the Office of Institutional Diversity at Metropolitan State College of Denver;
Susie Wargin, 9News Sports Anchor

Breakout Sessions:
Overcoming Adversity and Taking Action: Inspiration to Save a Life, Sheila Gannon, DU Alum and previous DU employee Ali Walton, University Requirement Advisor

Some are Guilty-All are Accountable: Accountability in an Age of Denial, G. Kristian Miccio, J.S.D. Associate Prof of Law, Sturm College of

Equip Yourself with Graduate Education, Facilitated by: Annemarie Vaccaro, Clinical Assistant Professor, DU Higher Education Program Panelists: Deborah Barton, Graduate Assistant, DU College of Education, Admissions & Enrollment Services; Niki Latino, Academic Adviser, Coordinator for Faculty Relations and Multicultural Initiatives; Tracey Peters, Campus Life Coordinator

Why Write Now? The Women's College Student Writers Club Facilitated by: Margo Espenlaub, Ph.D., Faculty Coordinator Panel participants: DJ Tschetter, Jeanette Marzette, Leslie Ludwig-Gannon, Julie Cordova, Charlotte Collinsworth

Women and Wellness ~ Inspiring Balance, April Archer, Director, Wellness Living & Learning Community; Jennifer Lowry, Coordinator, Wellness Living & Learning Community

FORGIVENESS: Where Preparation Meets Grace, Tara Tull, Associate Director of the Institute for Women's Studies and Services at Metropolitan State College of Denver

Change the Way You Look at Things and the Look of Things Will Change, Lisa Ingarfield, Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Coordinator, Sarah Nickels, LGBTIQA and Social Justice Education Program Coordinator

The Next Step, Elaine J.C. DeBassige D'Amato, LPC

How to Make Your Computer Work for You - FOR FREE!!, Kari Tornow, Women's College Student George Vaughn

How to Create an Action Plan, Julie Cordova, Women's College Student

Men as Allies, Scott Phillips, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology Glenn Fee, Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning

SWAN Presentation of Robin Morgan Award

Community Connections: Looking In, Looking Out

March 10, 2006 "Community Connections: Looking In, Looking Out"

Attendance: 130

Keynote Speaker: Jackie Norris, Executive Director, Metro Volunteers

Community Breakout Sessions: Mentoring?Mile High United Way, The Bridge Project, Colorado Youth at Risk, Metro Denver Partners, Girls Inc.; Gender Equity?The White House Project, Coloradoans for Fairness and Equality; Family Care?DU Emergency Homeless Shelter, Urban Peak, Project Safeguard; Safety?Rape Assistance and Awareness Program, Colorado Anti-Violence Program, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

DU Breakout Sessions: Mentoring?Women of Color with Lisa Martinez(Sociology & Criminology); Gender Equity?Undergraduate Women in Today's World with Fareed Kurtz, Jessica Glaser (GWST Students); Family Care?Aging and Elder Care with Susan Stark Connelly (GSSW); Safety?What's New at DU with Lisa Ingarfield (Sexual Assault Response & Prevention), Kelly Raeburn (Rape, Aggression Defense Program), Sgt. June Hansen (Campus Safety); Volunteering at DU?Katie Symons (Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning); Men's Ally Session with Scott Phillips (Sociology & Criminology).

SWAN Presentation of Robin Morgan Award to Sarah Tonso

Lunchtime Keynote: Deborah Ortega, Executive Director, Denver Commission to End Homelessness Community Volunteer Fair

Celebrating Ten Years of DU Women's Conferences

13 May 2005 - "Celebrating Our Past and Forging Our Future"

Attendance: 210
Welcome: Mike Bloom , Dean, The Women's College
Keynote Speaker: Robin Morgan, International Feminist Activist

Workshops and Breakout Sessions: Financial Planning & Professional Development with AnneMarie Rossi , Citistreet Retirement Services, and Sharon Gabel , DU Human Resources
The Vagina Monologues with Sarah Asplin , Graduate Women's Council, and Heather Yocum , Undergraduate Women's Council

Connecting with Technology with Jeff Derksen, University Technology Services

Taking Care of Our Bodies, Ourselves with Carrie Best , Health & Counseling Services, Shasta Bates , Coors Fitness Center, and Holly Heard Hinderlie , Counseling & Behavioral Health.

SWAN Presentation of the Robin Morgan Award to Jan Armani

Lunchtime Keynote: Maria Guajardo Lucero , Mayor's Office for Education & Children and DU Trustee

Forging Our Future Brainstorming Session: facilitated by Frédérique Chevillot , Director of Gender & Women's Studies; identified issues of concern for women on campus such as affordable childcare, better networking and communication, gender equity, mentoring, and safety.

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30 April 2004 - "Building Alliances"

Attendance: 180
Welcome: Catherine Alter, Dean, Graduate School of Social Work

Keynote Panel from The Merle Catherine Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women: Mike Bloom, Dean, The Women's College; Cynthia Secor, Director, HERS, Mid-America; Marla Williams, President & CEO, The Women's Foundation of Colorado

DU Panel on Building Campus Alliances: Sarah Asplin, Senior, President of Undergraduate Women's Council; Jill Hartman, Customer Services Assistant, DCB, President-Elect of Staff Advisory Council; Fanta Orr, GSIS Student & Graduate Assistant in CMES; Cathryn Potter, Associate Professor, GSSW, President-Elect of Faculty Senate

DU Panel on Building Community Alliances: Jean East, Associate Professor, GSSW, "Project Wise"; Susan Korach, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Education, "The Pioneer Charter School and the Ritchie Program for School Leaders"; Julie Nice, Professor & Faculty Advisor to the Social Justice Action Group, Sturm College of Law, "Law, Current Issues, and the Community"

DU Panel on Building Career Alliances: Sharon Gabel, Human Resources Assistant Director, "Exploring Opportunities and Making Career Transitions within DU"; Betsy Metzger, Associate Director, HERS Mid-America & Vice-President of CWAWE, "Professional Associations & Professional Development"; Wendy Wendover, DU Career Counselor, "Connecting Dreams to Reality"

SWAN Presentation of the Robin Morgan Award to Anita Johnson

Lunchtime Keynote: Diana DeGette, United States Representative, 1st Congressional District

Concluding Remarks: Carol Farnsworth, Vice Chancellor, Office of Communications & Marketing

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4 April 2003 - "Resisting Apathy: Women's Voices"

Attendance: 218
Welcome: Maria Guajardo Lucero, University of Denver Board of Trustees

Keynoters: Kathleen MacKenzie, Denver City Council District 7, and Allegra "Happy" Haynes, Denver City Council District 11

DU Panel on Community Activism: Ruth M. Glenn, Alumna, The Women's College and MPA Candidate in Public Administration, CU Denver: "Domestic Violence: Call for Voices"; Veronica O. White, Program Coordinator, Center for African American Policy: "Being a Community Advocate"; Sarah Friedmann, MA Student, GSIS: "Social Justice: Gender, Youth, and Sexual Orientation"; Helene Orr, Assistant to the Chair, Political Science and BA Student, Spanish and Art: "The Personal is Political: How Grassroots Politics are Woven into the Fabric of Everyday Life"

DU Panel on Student Academic Activism: Kumasi Adoma, MA Student, GSIS: "Human Rights Abuse Against Widows"; Annemarie Vaccaro-Phillips, PhD Student, College of Education: "Activism in Women's Groups on the DU Campus"; Lisa Anyona, MA Student, Religious Studies: "Addressing Presuppositions of Female Genital Cutting"; Laura Hebert, PhD Student, GSIS: "The Role of Non-Violent Men in Gender Violence Prevention"

DU Panel on Campus Activism: Anne Enderby, Executive Assistant to the Dean, GSSW: "Staff Advisory Council"; Andrea Love, BA Student, Political Science and Women's Studies: "Undergraduate Women's Council and DU's Young Democrats"; JennyRose Cantor Flanagan, JD/MSW May 2003, Co-Founder, Diversity Advocates, and President, HEAR (Helping Empower through Alternative Resolution): "Diversity Advocates and HEAR"; Susan Sadler, Associate Professor of Biology and Past President, Faculty Senate: "Faculty Activism"

DU Panel on Faculty Academic Activism: Bonnie Adrian, Social Sciences Core Lecturer: "How Feminism Informs My Research Questions and Methods on Taiwanese Brides"; Cathryn Potter, Associate Professor, GSSW and Executive Director of the Institute for Families: "Improving Services for Children and Families in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems"; Nancy Reichman, Associate Professor, Sociology and Director, Center for Judaic Studies: "Deconstructing and Reconstructing Workplace Opportunities for Women Lawyers"

SWAN Presentation of the Robin Morgan Award to Yasmaine Ford Faggan

Lunchtime Keynote: Jennifer Veiga, Colorado State Representative, District 3

Concluding Remarks: Ginger Maloney, Dean, College of Education

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12 April 2002 - "Transcending Terror: Women's Lives at Home and Abroad"

Attendance: 260
Welcome: Joy Burns, Chair, Board of Trustees

Keynote Speaker: Robin Morgan, International Feminist Activist, "Transcending Terror: Women's Lives at Home and Abroad"

Concurrent Sessions: Lisa Biro, Benefits Manager, Human Resources, "Meditation: Calm at the Center"; Mary Jane Collier, Professor, Human Communication Studies, "Building Intercultural Alliances with Women"; Jennifer Cornish, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, and Ellen Shew Holland, Director of Risk Management, "Responding to Violence: A Professional Woman's View"; Kathleen Haspel, Assistant Professor, Human Communication Studies, and Jackie St. Joan, Visiting Professor, The Women's College, "Making Sense of September 11th through Stories of Personal Experience"; Linda Kosten, Ph.D. Candidate, College of Education, AHSS, Kathy Keairns, M.A. Candidate, Digital Media Studies, CTL, and Diane DeRose, B.A. Candidate, Department of Languages and Literature, "Balancing Acts: How to Make Education a Priority"; Cheryl Lovell, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, College of Education, and Anne Davies-MacLachlan, M.A. Candidate, College of Education, "Status of Women in Higher Education: The Numbers Don't Lie"; Shelly Smith-Acuna, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, "Community Building in a Hostile World"

SWAN Presentation of the Robin Morgan Award to Tracie Kruse

Panelists: "DU Women of Action": How do we move from the feeling of being overwhelmed to one of empowerment? Deborah Barton, Executive Director of Multicultural and Academic Affairs (Moderator), Sandra Dixon, Associate Professor, Religious Studies, Gloria Gerkin, Academic Counselor Learning Effectiveness Program, Sallye McKee, Associate Provost for Multicultural Affairs, Sarah Nelson, Professor of Anthropology and Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Research, Karen E. Philbrick, Ph.D. Candidate, College of Education, Jessica Sanchez, Vice President, Undergraduate Women's Council, Margaret Thompson, Associate Professor, Mass Communications and Journalism Studies, and Reema Wahdan, Graduate Student, Molecular Biology

Concluding Remarks: Mike Bloom, Dean, The Women's College & University College

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26 April 2001 - "Voicing Unspoken Issues to Enhance Our Community"

Attendance: 170
Welcome and Introduction: Carol Zak-Dance, Assistant Professor, School of Communication, The Women's College

Keynote Speaker: Dottie Lamm, University Visiting Fellow, "Raise Your Voice; It's Worth the Risk!"

Concurrent Sessions: Myra Isenhart, President, Organizational Communication, Inc., Adjunct Faculty, UCOL, "Communication Skills for Managing Change and Transition"; Karen Lollar, PhD Candidate, Human Communication Studies, Adjunct Faculty, DU, "Beyond Intimidation: Taking Risks With People in Power"; Lily Mendoza, Assistant Professor, Human Communication Studies, "Empowering Communication: Seeing Difference as a Cultural Resource"; Betsy Metzger, Associate Director, HERS, Mid-America, "Being an Ally: Supporting Lesbians/Gays/Bisexuals/Transgenders on Campus"; Jaynie Muggli, Assistant Director, Undergraduate International Studies, GSIS, "Bringing Our Souls to Work"

SWAN Presentation of the first Robin Morgan Award to Ali Walton

Panelists: Frédérique Chevillot, Director of Women's Studies and Associate Professor of French (Moderator), Maria Armstrong, University ADA Coordinator, Human Resources, Celeste Grover, Undergraduate Women's Council, Carolyn Hilton, Manager of Student Services, The Women's College, Susan Sadler, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, President of the Faculty Senate, Pam Tanner, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Athletics and Recreation, Shannon Valerio, Director, Office for Educational Technology, University Technology Services

Concluding Remarks: Sheila Phelan Wright, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, Wellness and Campus Life

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27 March 2000 - "Shaping a National Agenda for Women in Higher Education"

Attendance: 175
Welcome: Sara Nelson, Professor of Anthropology and Vice Provost for Research

Introduction: Alison Walton, Coordinator of Retention and Assessment, Academic Advisor - CAR, and Ph.D. Candidate

Satellite Broadcast from University of Minnesota: keynote and panel

Keynote Speaker: Johnnetta Cole, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women's Studies, and African American Studies, Emory University; former President of Spelman College

Celebration of Achievements: Joan Brennan, Admissions Coordinator, DU High School and Undergraduate Student, The Women's College; Panelists: Mike Bloom, Dean of The Women's College, Jenna Brown, Ombuds Officer, Michelle Coates, Director, Fisher Early Learning Center, Sharon Gabel, Manager of Training and Employee Development, Dianne Murphy, Director of Athletics and Recreation, and Nell Jessup Newton, Dean of the College of Law Roundtable Discussions: conversation stimulated by the satellite broadcast as related to personal experiences and DU

Concluding Remarks: Frédérique Chevillot, Director of Women's Studies and Associate Professor of French

Needs/Concerns: Three main issues emerged in roundtable discussions: a need for more improved communication across the university; a stronger sense of community/culture; and a formal mentoring program.

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8 April 1999 - "Investing in Ourselves = Investing in DU"

Attendance: nearly 200
Welcome and introduction: Kitty Sweeney, Director, Pioneer Leadership Program
Keynoter: Cynthia Cherrey, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Southern California, "Leadership With Grace: the Power of the Woman's Voice in the Workplace"

Roundtable discussions: Continuing the conversation stimulated by the keynote address

Panelists: representing the campus women's organizations: Paula Sperry, Faculty Women's Association, Tess Pierce, Graduate Women's Council, Helene Orr, Staff Women's Association and Network, Michaela Herring, Undergraduate Women's Council, Jodi Lundin, Women Advocating Change, Nancy Allen, Women's Leadership Council, and Kathy Crawley, Women's Coalition.

Entertainment: comedienne Edith Weiss

Needs/Concerns: Increasing diversity on the university's decision-making committees; lack of communication at DU; lack of institutional commitment for women to connect; effects of today's rapid rate of change on personal & professional lives; professional work ethics; not enough concrete results from the women's conferences; flex time established as formal policy; maybe too many separate women's groups on campus.

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27 March 1998 - "Holding Up Half the Sky: Women's Place in Shaping DU's Future"

Attendance: Just under 200
Welcome and introduction: Karen Anderson, Director of Provost's Development Program
Keynote Speaker: Herma Williams, Professor of Leadership Development, Graduate School of Education, George Mason University

Panelists: Ellie Katz, Dean of the College of Education, Deborah Barton, Director of Commuter, Nontraditional & Substance Abuse Programs, Tamera Gugelmeyer, Graduate Student in GSIS and Sociology, Kathy Keairns, Assistant to the Dean of the College of Education and President of the Staff Advisory Council, and Paula Sperry, Assistant Professor of Theatre

Roundtable discussions: Examining case studies illustrating aspects of power

Concurrent sessions: Based on the four aspects of organizational, personal, positional, and relational power; participants talked about how we can use our power in shaping the university's future

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2 May 1997 - "Mapping Our Personal and Professional Lives"

Attendance: 207
Welcome and introduction: Joy Burns, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Keynote Speaker: Cynthia Secor, Director of HERS, Mid-America

Break-out groups: Organized by self-selected career stages: pre-professional, apprentice, individual practitioner, team leader, and institutional leader

Panelists: Nancy Allen, Dean of Penrose Library; Joan Brennan, Administrative Assistant to the Director of the University of Denver High School; Mariana Enriquez-Olmos, Graduate Student in the College of Education, Dorothy Joseph, Executive Director of Finance and Administration in the Daniels College of Business, Sarah Nelson, Professor of Anthropology, Julie Nice, Associate Professor of Law, Sheila Summers Thompson, Director of University Assessment, and Barbara Wilcots, Assistant Professor of English

Update: From student, faculty, and staff women's organizations on their activities

Concluding remarks: Mike Bloom, Dean of The Women's College

Comments: This was the kick-off event for Professional Development Year, coordinated by Karen Anderson, Director of Provost's Development Programs. Following were monthly "brown bag" luncheon presentations and a mentoring program for employees to share in small groups throughout the year. Plans for the Mentoring Program were introduced by the two women who conceptualized it, Deb Lasich, Director of Academic and Student Affairs at The Women's College, and Kathy Crawley, Director of Foundations for Institutional Advancement.

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10 May 1996 - "Balancing Our Lives" (brown-bag luncheon)

Attendance: 135
Welcome and introduction: Joan Brennan, Administrative Assistant to the Director of the University of Denver High School
Speakers: Karen Feste, Associate Dean & Professor in the Graduate School of International Studies; Michelle Terry, Administrative Assistant in the Office of Admission; and Pat Larsen, Director of the Counseling Center

Break-out groups: organized according to topics: day care at DU, professional development, and organizations for DU women (including HERS, Mid-America, The Women's College, Women's Studies Program, and the Committee for Women on Campus)

Closing remarks: Claudia Giannetti, Programs Coordinator in GSIS, and Cynthia Secor, Director of HERS, Mid-America

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9 February 1996 - "DU Women Networking and Mentoring Women"

Attendance: over 200
Speakers: Joy Burns, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Susan Harter, Professor of Psychology
Panelists: Carol Farnsworth, Vice Chancellor for Communications (Facilitator), Karen Anderson, EEO/Affirmative Action Officer, Laura Belsten, Director of Health & Environmental Programs at University College, Linda Cobb-Reiley, Associate Professor of Mass Communications and Journalism Studies, Annette Coniglio, Director of Financial Services, Maria DeSantis, Assistant Professor of English, Cynthia Fukami, Associate Professor of Management, Patricia Whitehouse, Compensation Specialist in Human Resources, and Sheila Wright, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies

Break-out discussion groups: identified needs and concerns of women on campus, such as a desire for greater connections across constituencies and a structure to make that happen, day care, wellness, attention to balancing personal and professional life, lack of support from some male supervisors to attend the conference, and professional development opportunities

Concluding remarks: Cynthia Secor, Director of HERS, Mid-America

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