The Women’s Resource Center held a round table luncheon event Friday, Nov. 14 in the LAPC in which women professionals spoke about their struggles and triumphs in the work world. The crowd consisted of approximately 20 female students who were interested in hearing more about the roles of women in industry. The event was open to both female and male students.
“The round table event is an event primarily for women who want to work in the professional field,” said Pie Williams, first-year graduate intern in the WRC. “So we brought different women here from a diverse array of professions to learn and bring awareness to different careers.”
The event opened with six panelists composed of professional women in the university as well as the community. The panel consisted of assistant director and head athletic trainer April Hoy, associate campus pastor Khristi Adams, College of Arts and Liberal Sciences Dean Jennifer Walsh, attorney at law Sandra Crawford, University Counseling Center assistant director Grace Kim and student life administrator Shino Simmons.
“Once you reach your goal, make sure to turn back and give back to other young women with aspiring goals,” Crawford said.
Each woman shared about her experiences in the workforce as well as how she achieved professional success despite individual hardships. Those guests who held administrative positions at the university discussed how they came to APU and how that has shaped their professional career.
“I hope others [women] understand whatever goals God places in their heart, that they can attain it,” Crawford said.
After the discussion panel, each guest was assigned a table where attendees were encouraged to have lunch and engage in conversations with the guests. WRC Director Elaine Watson added that she wanted to give students an opportunity to learn about these women in a more casual setting.
“This event promotes the idea of female students seeing females in male roles and hearing success stories as woman of color make it in the professional world,” Watson said. “We want females to share a meal with these women and talk about their stories.”
The luncheon is part of many discussions hosted by the WRC to empower and encourage women to excel in various aspects of their lives. Prior to this event, the center hosted other conversations, such as One Smart Cookie.
“Once we know the stories of one another, we get encouraged and say, ‘Oh, I can do this,'” Watson said.
For more information on future events and discussions, contact the WRC.