A Woman's Worth: Conference and Celebration

Conference attendees at the Woman's Worth Conference on March 30, sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., were treated to an array of seminars designed to affirm the body and renew the spirit of the women of NEIU's community. Kimberly D. Everett, Director African American Resource Center, provided the Keynote address.

Seminars ranged from salsa lessons, provided by latin dance instructor Esmeralda Roman, self-defense lessons given by professor emeritus Martha Thompson and instruction on writing a narrative which centered on the voice of women, led by award winning author, Bethsheba McGruder. That was not all, professor Olivia Perlow delivered a powerful speech that provided tips on how students can handle the overload of balancing academic life, work and increasing duties of your home. "For women, we often don't have the privilege of just going to school. We often find ourselves holding down several obligations on top of maintaining our academic goals," Perlow said. One example of an organization that provides assistance to women is the Women's Health Center, which provide low cost, women centered, health care.

The closing seminar, centered on informing men on how they can become allies of women and activists for women's rights, delivered by poet and womanist activist Ra Perre Shelton, left the audience inspired to contribute to the lives of women. Participants exited the conference feeling empowered, informed and definitely knowing the value of a woman's worth.