West Liberty University is observing Women’s History Month with events celebrating women’s empowerment. Under the coordination of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), events include a panel discussion planned for noon on Wednesday, March 16 in the College Union.
“We’re so excited about this panel representing diverse perspectives and varied experiences with mentoring, feminism, and empowerment,” said Dr. Cecilia Konchar Farr, dean of the College of Liberal and Creative Arts and leader of the Women’s Empowerment subgroup of the WLU campus Diversity Committee.
The panel discussion is open to the public and presents the views of four women leaders, representing four different generations.
“I’m pleased to welcome our guests and look forward to all the events of the month as we honor women of all nationalities and backgrounds, as we encourage empowerment and equity at West Liberty University,” said Dr. Monique L. Akassi, who serves as interim special assistant to the president, DEI and Strategic Initiatives.
Guest participants include Professor Janis-Rozena Peri (retired WVU Professor), along with WLU professor Dr. Eveldora Wheeler and student leader Mackenzi Jones.
Peri retired from the music faculty at WVU in 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano from Otterbein College and a Master of Music degree in voice from Miami University. She studied and performed in New York City and has sung in a variety of venues: solo recitals at Carnegie Recital Hall and Town Hall in New York City; Serena in Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” in Birmingham, Ala.; Frankie in the Schweitzer Tourne Theatre production of “Carmen Jones” in Germany and Holland; and songs of Alma Mahler in the CBS “Camera Three” presentation of “Gustav Mahler in New York.”
Wheeler is an associate professor of Social Work, teaching in WLU’s College of Liberal and Creative Arts. Previously, she served on the faculty of the School of Social Work at West Virginia University and at the University of Indianapolis. A licensed clinical social worker, she has more than 17 years of clinical practice in child welfare, including working with adults. Wheeler earned an undergraduate degree in psychology (WVU), a master’s of social work (University of Pittsburgh), an MBA (Point Park University) and a doctoral degree in educational psychology from West Virginia University.
Jones is a WLU undergraduate and former president of the student senate. She has been active on campus and in the SGA for several years. Jones is from Weirton, W.Va. and is a biology major.
Following the panel discussion, Peri will speak in a separate 2 p.m. program on her autobiography, Tall Tales and Short Stories from a Singer’s Life and Imagination. This presentation also is part of Women’s History Month and will take place in the choral room of the Hall of Fine Arts. Peri’s book addresses the challenges she faced as a Black woman in the music world and in academia, as well as the joys of following her dreams.
Other events taking place this month, honoring women’s empowerment are:
- Panhellenic Women’s Empowerment Events observed by the sororities throughout the week of March 14-18. Additionally, the BPE will collect donations all month long for the Y-Boutique at the Wheeling YWCA.
- 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, “What were you wearing?” art workshop. This program is offered by Creative Arts Therapy major Lindsay Manor and is open to all students as a way to create art and give voice to survivors of sexual assault.
- Noon, Thursday, March 28, reading of the episodic play, “The Vagina Monologues,” written by Eve Ensler. Readers will share excerpts from the 1996 play in the College Union.
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., March 31, Trans Day of Visibility, College Union.
The Diversity Committee, under the auspices of WLU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative led by Akassi, meets throughout the academic year and is chaired by Chris McPherson, director of the Learning & Student Development Center and Dr. Felipe Rojas, assistant professor of Spanish.
