Nola Reporter

(New Orleans – February 6, 2023) Loyola University New Orleans invites visitors to campus next month for a special celebration of women on International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. International Women’s Day marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

“I consider Loyola’s event and those held around the world as vital ways of raising awareness about the persistent struggle for women’s rights around the globe,” said Dr. Patricia Boyett, Director of the Women’s Resource Center and Assistant Professor of Gender History and Human Rights.

“Although women have made so much progress in our efforts to achieve equity, and it is important to celebrate these achievements, we still confront inequitable pay, glass ceilings, gender violence, injustice, and biases in nearly every aspect of our lives. Women with additional marginalized identities face even greater injustices. It is my hope that in raising awareness about the persistence of these inequities, we might inspire action to combat gender oppression and all forms of prejudice.”

Loyola’s International Women’s Day event takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 8, better known as International Women’s Day, in the St. Charles Room of the Danna Student Center on Loyola’s main campus, 6363 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, La. 70118. All are welcome. Free parking is available in the West Road parking garage.

The celebration is designed to celebrate and connect women in the community, as well as to highlight the wonderful work that Loyola is doing to elevate women. This year, Loyola welcomes the fifth cohort of the highly successful Women’s Leadership Academy, and launches additional women initiatives aimed at a younger demographic. Loyola’s Women Resource Center has launched the Collegiate Leadership Academy for undergraduate students at the university, and the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies is launching the Young Women’s Leadership Academy for young women in the greater New Orleans area who might not have attended college.

“It is an honor to be spearheading this event,” said Amy Landry, who leads the Loyola Women’s Leadership Academy. “To be able to celebrate the momentum that Loyola has seen because of its efforts in championing women is inspirational. Women needed a space to connect in order to continue pushing the boundaries and changing the script for the next generation of leaders. My desire is for my daughter, for all of our daughters, not to face the discrimination that I faced in the workplace because of my gender. The Women's Leadership Academy has seen such success because we have been intentional in creating a diverse and inclusive space to break down barriers for all women."

Serving as one of the featured speakers is New Orleans City Council Member Lesli Harris, who will share her experiences as a leader and scholar - and underscore the role that women play in shaping culture and policy. She will talk about women advocacy – how we must support the next generation of young women and the importance of being a role model.

Together with Loyola's Office of Professional and Continuing Studies, Harris founded the Young Women’s Leadership Academy, helping to secure a grant that will provide leadership training for young women ages 18 to 24 who have aspirations of improving their lives and leadership styles.

College of Law Dean Madeleine M. Landrieu, J.D. ‘87, H ‘05, will lead a conversation about courageous leadership with Visiting Scholar, Law Professor Nagina Khalili. Khalili, who will share her work as a prosecutor of gender crimes in Afghanistan, her daring escape to America after the Taliban takeover, and her continued efforts to speak for the rights of Afghan girls and women.

A prominent Afghan lawyer, Professor Khalili worked in Afghanistan as a prosecutor of crimes against women and girls. Her goals as a lawyer are to help bring justice and equality to the women and girls of Afghanistan and to support democracy. Professor Khalili was the first female prosecutor in Ghor Province, where she served under the first female attorney general, specifically prosecuting cases of violence against women.

Landrieu is a former judge and a strong advocate for the rights of women and children.

To learn more about Women's Leadership Academy, visit the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies website. The deadline to apply is March 5.

Original source can be found here.