Saint Xavier University will host a panel presentation titled “Women in Public Service” featuring Illinois State Representative Kelly Burke on Monday, March 21. The panel will be held at 3:00pm in the Student Lounge. The presentation will be held as a part of SXU’s celebration of Women’s History Month.
The month-long celebration is sponsored and organized by SXU’s Women’s History Month committee, which is comprised of students, staff, and professors. The “Women in Public Service” panel is the brainchild of Mary Lu Wasniewski, assistant director of Career Services and Women’s History Month committee member.
Wasniewski explained that she came up with the idea for the panel after learning that the theme of the 2016 National Women’s History Month is “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.”
“With this being a Presidential election year, with a female candidate in contention, I thought public service would be a wonderful and timely theme for a panel presentation. In our first committee meeting, members were asked if we had any suggestions for topics or events, so I mentioned the national theme. The Committee thought it was a great idea and asked me if I was interested in hosting a panel. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Carrie Schade, also on the campus Committee, offered to assist me with event details,” said Wasniewski.
The panel will feature women who work in the public sector in a variety of positions. One notable panelist is State Representative Kelly Burke. Representative Burke worked at SXU from 2006 to 2011.
“To date, we have confirmed participation from Illinois State Representative Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park, 36th District), and a Deputy Chief from the Chicago Police Department. We are waiting to hear from another elected official, a government employee, and several other prominent women who work in public service. Panelists were invited who have experience across a variety of fields. We want to have a wide range of public servants represented,” said Wasniewski.
During the event, the panel will participate in a question and answer session with the audience. Wasniewski explained that there are a few themes that she is sure will come up during the session.
“After each panelist introduces herself and provides a short description of their career path and current position, we will open it up to questions from the audience…Because panelist Kelly Burke (D-35) sponsored the House bill regarding MAP funding, I expect that some questions about the state budget impasse will be presented. And, as many of the women are working in male dominated environments, questions will probably address their experiences and ability to succeed,” said Wasniewski.
Besides hosting the “Women in Public Service” panel, SXU celebrated Women’s History Month with film screenings, a trivia game, a health fair and much more. SXU will also host a panel called “Health and Welfare of Women Working With Mercy: Careers for the Common Good” on Thursday, March 17.
“These events are meant to celebrate women, highlight important roles they play in society, and bring awareness to issues that affect women in significant ways,” said Eileen Doherty, Dean of Students and committee chair of SXU’s Women’s History Month committee. Another event that will be held during the month is SXU’s second annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.” For this event, men will walk a mile in women’s high-heeled shoes on March 30.
The purpose is to start a conversation on campus about gender relations and sexual violence against women. Last year, this event received media attention from the Chicago Sun-Times, ABC 7 Chicago, and more. The last event of SXU’s commemoration of Women’s History Month is a panel called “In Defense of Others: Women in the Military,” which will be held on March 31 at 3:00pm in room L309.
The panel will consist of SXU students and staff who will discuss their experience in the military as well as the importance of women in the military. According to Doherty, celebrating Women’s History Month is especially significant for SXU because of the university’s Mercy heritage.
“It is important to celebrate Women’s History Month at Saint Xavier University because, as an institution founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, women’s issues should be highlighted. The Sisters of Mercy have always had ministries focused on women and children as part of their charism. This focus continues today and celebrating Women’s History Month is one way we can further the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, and of SXU,” Dean Doherty said.
Yasmeen Abdellatif
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