In recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, the Lee
University Diversity Committee and Diversity Council will sponsor a
series of special events during the week of March 12, including two
chapel services and a special display in the William G. Squires Library.
This year’s theme is “Empowering Women.”

IWD was first observed
on Lee’s campus in 2010 and provides students the opportunity to join
with the global community to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments
and contributions of women to society.

“Lee students, staff and
faculty represent women from many diverse backgrounds that do
extraordinary things in their everyday lives,” said Diette Ward, IWD
chair and electronics resources librarian. “We want to celebrate the
women on our campus and their amazing achievements. On IWD we recognize
the global impact of women and hope to encourage our students to also
make an impact.”

On March 13, Lee alum Christa Bennett (’03) will
speak on, “Made in the Image of God,” at 10:40 a.m. in the Dixon Center
chapel service. Bennett will discuss women as created in God’s image
and their role as active, equal participants in society.

In
2006, Bennett co-founded Network for Africa (N4A), an organization that
educates and empowers women and children in conflict areas affected by
genocide. N4A is committed to showing women they possess worth and
dignity to be a transformative force in society. Bennett graduated with a
master’s degree in international relations from King’s College London.

Ordained
ministers Heidi Johnson and Christine Curley will conduct a liturgical
service in the Lee Chapel on Thursday, March 15 at 10:40 a.m.

The
service will offer a mix of Reformed and Anglican traditions, including
the Gloria Patri and communion. Johnson and Curley are married to Lee
professors Dr. Aaron Johnson and Dr. Brian Peterson, respectively. Dr.
Matthew Krepps, professor at Lee, will accompany on the organ and Dr.
Phillip Thomas, chair of the Instrumental Music Department, on piano.
Throughout
the week, a special display will be held in the Squires Library to
honor women who have made significant contributions and experienced
remarkable success in the Pentecostal movement.

Every year on
March 8, IWD honors the work of those who fought for women’s rights,
celebrates women’s achievements, and recognizes the inequalities still
to be addressed. Thousands of events occur across the globe to mark the
economic, political, and social advancement of women in society.

For more information about IWD, please visit www.internationalwomensday.com. For more information about events on campus, please contact Diette Ward at [email protected] or call 614-2460.