Forward 2022: Regaining Momentum for Gender Equity

Since March 2020, news headlines and personal accounts have been attesting to the particular toll that the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptions have had on women. Often tasked with working and caregiving, many women are finding their career advancement and economic gains reversed. How can we regain momentum towards gender equity? Join The Women’s Place at The Ohio State University for a virtual symposium to encourage resilience, community, and meaningful policy change.

The symposium features keynote Selena Rezvani, author, speaker and leadership consultant. Her mission is to help women carve out leadership paths on their own terms. She also consults with employers on how to make work truly “work” for women — by architecting culture change that improves working women’s experience. She’s the author of two leadership books, the bestseller Pushback: How Smart Women Ask — and Stand Up — for What They Want and The Next Generation of Women Leaders. Rezvani addresses thousands of professionals each year and has been featured in TEDx, Oprah.com, Inc., Todayshow.com, and NPR. Today she’s a columnist for NBC News Know Your Value.

This free event is open to Ohio State faculty, staff, students, and community partners of all genders. Stay tuned for additional speaker and agenda details.

If you have questions about accessibility or wish to request accommodations, please contact womensplace@osu.edu. Typically, a two-week notice will allow us to provide seamless access.
 

Agenda

9:00 – 9:10am
Occasion and Opening Remarks

Andreá Williams, The Women’s Place, The Ohio State University

9:10 – 9:55am
Promoting Gender Equity: Advocacy in Action

Whether working with a community organization or leading culture change at work, we can encourage both systemic and individual progress towards closing the power gap for women. Learn ways to support ongoing initiatives and inspire momentum wherever you are.

• Moderator: Dr. Cynthia Turner, Assistant Dean, Fisher College of Business
• Speakers:
  • Christine O’Malley, Chair, President and Provost’s Council on Women (PPCW), Ohio State    
  • Andrea Silbert, President, Eos Foundation, WomensPowerGap.org
  • Emily Quick Schriver, CEO, The Matriots     

9:55 – 10:00am
Break

10:00 – 10:55am
Pivot: What We Can Learn from Change

In 2020, “pivot” became a buzzword for in-person events that went virtual and industries that began to focus more crucially on addressing COVID-19. But many people have also taken the opportunity of the pandemic to “pivot” their lives, health, and careers in more positive ways. Learn how to boost your adaptability and find your passion amid change.

• Moderator: Marcy Lusk, Senior Staff Therapist, Counseling and Consultation Service, Ohio State
• Speakers:
  • Christina Vera-Reid, Co-founder, Femergy
  • Molly Driscoll, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition, Ohio State
  • Erica L. Harris, Executive Coach, PurposeFULL Seed

11:00 – 11:55am
What’s So New About the “New Normal”?

This panel examines how the economic disruptions of the pandemic exacerbated many women’s already existing financial insecurity, while inspiring some to pursue different opportunities. Speakers discuss the kinds of policies and practices we need to ensure the wellbeing of women and their families.

• Moderator: Dr. Beverly Vandiver, Interim Executive Director, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
• Speakers:
  • Dr. Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, Founder and President, Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race (WISER)
  • Dr. Lauren Jones, College of Education and Human Ecology, OSU
  • Dr. Margaret Graham, Vice Dean, College of Nursing

Noon – 12:50pm
Keynote Address

Moderator: Andreá N. Williams, The Women’s Place, The Ohio State University
Guest Speaker:  Selena Rezvani, speaker, consultant, and author of The Next Generation of Women Leaders and Pushback: How Smart Women Ask—and Stand Up—for What They Want

12:50 – 1:00pm
Closing comments

Andreá Williams, The Women’s Place, The Ohio State University