Feb. 25 2014 – The University of Utah presents its annual Women’s Week celebration Feb. 28 through March 6, with the theme “What Matters.” This week of events allows women to connect with each other, identify goals and passions and learn skills to confront the challenges that continue to inhibit women’s progress.

“The University of Utah has a strong commitment to helping women succeed,” said Susie Porter, chair of the Women’s Week committee and director of the U’s Gender Studies Program. “The university has programs in place to support women year-round, and taking a week to celebrate women elevates those programs.”

The week kicks off with the annual Kochenour Memorial lecture, Friday, Feb. 28, noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Orson Spencer Hall auditorium on the U campus. The lecture, “Do Babies Matter? Gender and Family in the Ivory Tower,” draws from more than a decade of research and explores the impact of family on women’s career choices and the ways we can support parents in the workplace.

Students and faculty from the U’s departments of Music, Languages and Literature, and Modern Dance collaborate to present the week’s concluding event, a multi-media performance about three Italian women who overcame social barriers to achieve success as artists, musicians and poets.

All events for Women’s Week are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Do Babies Matter? Gender and Family in the Ivory Tower
Feb. 28, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Orson Spencer Hall auditorium, 260 Central Campus Dr.
|In the first comprehensive examination of the relationship between family formation and the academic careers of men and women, authors Mary Ann Mason, professor and co-director of the Economics and Family Security Center at the University of California, Berkley, School of law, and Nicholas H. Wolfinger, associate professor of Family and Consumer studies and adjunct associate professor of sociology at the University of Utah, will discuss their work and share strategies and suggestions for transforming the university into a family friendly environment at every career stage.

Gay Family Matters
March 5, Noon-1 p.m.
Hinckley Institute of Politics, Orson Spencer Hall, Room 255, 260 Central Campus Dr.
Elizabeth Clement, associate professor in the U’s Department of History, will explore how the state makes and breaks LGBT families through legal and economic rights. She will also discuss relevant issues pertaining to marriage equality in Utah. Clement recently released a book titled “We are Family: Gays and Lesbians and the American Family.”

Women’s Leadership Summit
March 5, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Peterson Heritage Center, Room 5, 151 Connor St.
This summit, geared toward undergraduate women, provides workshops, speakers and networking opportunities. Associate Dean of the David Eccles School of Business, Natalie Gouchnour, will give the keynote address on women leadership in higher education. This event is open to the public but preregistration is required. The cost is $5.

Money Matters: Negotiating Salaries for Women
March 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Career Services Office, Student Services Building, Room 350, 201 S. 1460 East
This workshop, led by Kelly Dries and Amy Jackson from the U’s Career Services Office, will teach women how to effectively negotiate their salaries and provide job-hunting strategies and resume building tips.

Mentoring Matters: Creative Solution Luncheon
March 6, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Olpin Student Union Building SaltAir Room, 200 Central Campus Dr.
The U’s Honors College will sponsor a networking luncheon designed to connect female students with local women leaders in business, nonprofit organizations, activist groups and the arts. The event is free but preregistration is required by emailing rsvp@honors.utah.edu.

Voice Matters: A Multimedia Concert of Barbara Strozzi, Veronica Franco and Artemisia Gentileschi
March 6, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
David P. Gardner Hall, Dumke Recital Room 204, 1375 S. Presidents Circle
The U’s departments of Music, Languages and Literature, and Modern Dance combine to share the stories of three Italian women who overcame social barriers to become great artists. Students and faculty bring these women to life with a musical performance accompanied by interpretive dance and spoken word.

For information, visit the Office for Equity and Diversity.