For more than twenty years, women and friends of West Virginia University have come together to celebrate their differences and also find common ground at the annual Women of Color Luncheon.
This year’s event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The WVU President’s Office for Social Justice and the Council for Women’s Concerns are sponsoring the Women of Color Luncheon.
This year’s event will feature Dr. Sadie R. Gregory, an economics professor at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md. with more than 30 years of experience in higher education, and the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble directed by Kadiatou Cont�-forte, a native of the Republic of Ghana.
“What these guests add to this event is a demonstration of what perseverance, determination and education can do to elevate women,” said Toni Morris, vice-chair of the Council for Women’s Concerns. “Even when women are oppressed, they can find joy in song and dance. Both of these guests bring ideals about encouraging all women that there is hope no matter what odds are against them.”
Gregory is a lecturer and an author with numerous published articles in scholarly journals on national issues pertaining to her specialized areas of banking, finance and the economics of discrimination.
“I must salute WVU for its 22-year tradition of honoring and recognizing the role of women in our workplace. I hope to share some of my experiences with those who attend this luncheon, so that they might see parallels in their own lives and how I dealt with various challenges in my career,” Gregory said.
The Balafon West African Dance Ensemble has more than 30 years of experience in the world of African performance arts and they will celebrate women through classical African songs, music and dance. Their intricate display of choreography and vivid costumes offers a unique perspective on African traditions and culture.
WVU President James P. Clements is also scheduled to attend the luncheon and offer a brief address.
For more information about the WVU Council for Women’s Concerns, go to http://www.as.wvu.edu/cwc.
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CONTACT: Vickie Trickett, Council for Women’s Concerns
304-293-7804, Vickie.Trickett@mail.wvu.edu