Women's Leadership Initiative
International Women’s Day is a vibrant annual event that brings together students, faculty, and local partners to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and voices of women around the world. Organized with the support of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, this gathering is both a celebration and a call to action — featuring performances, art, speeches, and storytelling that reflect the global and local dimensions of the fight for gender equity. It’s a moment for the campus community to stand in solidarity, raise awareness, and reaffirm a shared commitment to justice, inclusion, and empowerment for all women.
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Women Living in the Diaspora is a powerful, community-driven event co-hosted and supported by the Women’s Leadership Initiative. Centered on the experiences of women who live outside their countries of origin, this gathering creates a space for meaningful dialogue, storytelling, and solidarity across cultures. Through panel discussions, personal narratives, and shared reflections, participants explore themes of identity, belonging, resilience, and the challenges and triumphs of navigating life in the diaspora. By highlighting diverse voices and lived experiences, the event fosters understanding, connection, and empowerment within the university community and beyond.
Each semester, the Women’s Leadership Initiative hosts a special Aperitivo Night designed to bring together students, staff, and faculty from across campus in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. This event isn’t just about enjoying delicious food and great conversation — it’s a chance to build connections across different communities, celebrate diverse perspectives, and forge lasting friendships. At the heart of the evening is a spirit of solidarity and service. Guests are encouraged to support the local women’s shelter in Rome through donations and fundraising efforts that take place during the event. Whether it’s contributing to a raffle, purchasing handmade goods, or simply learning more about the shelter’s mission, everyone plays a part in making a difference. The semester aperitivo is a celebration of empowerment, inclusion, and the powerful change that can happen when we come together — all while enjoying one of Italy’s favorite traditions.
Painting and Poetry for Women is a creative and empowering space where art and literature converge to celebrate the voices, experiences, and struggles of women. This event brings together visual artists and poets to express, through their unique mediums, the complex journeys of womanhood. Whether through vibrant paintings or evocative verses, participants explore themes of identity, resilience, empowerment, and transformation. It’s a celebration of the ways in which women’s stories can be told through color, shape, and language, offering a platform for self-expression and fostering connection among those who appreciate the power of art to inspire change and reflection.
We recently completed a self-defense class where we learned valuable skills to protect ourselves. Here's a summary of what we covered:
