The Center for the Education of Women opened nearly fifty years ago as a new unit dedicated to assisting women in continuing their education and investigating career possibilities while helping the University of Michigan recognize the value of these new students and maximize their potential contributions to the University. Throughout 2014, CEW will be recognizing its 50th Anniversary through a mix of events that honor the past, celebrate accomplishments, and envision the future. Plans for the celebration reflect CEW’s ongoing passions: recognizing women’s contributions in all aspects of American culture; embracing research endeavors and advocacy efforts that will serve to better women’s lives; and working directly with individuals.

 

CEW extends special thanks to TIAA-CREF, our Premier Anniversary Sponsor for their generous support of all of our Anniversary events

Women and Economic Security: Changing Policy and Practice  
May 14-16, 2014,  Rackham Building
Keynote speaker: Sheryl WuDunn

This 3-day interdisciplinary, multi-sector conference sponsored by the Center for the Education of Women and the National Conference on Research for Women, will focus on identifying and combating barriers that women living in poverty face as they seek economic security and mobility.  National researchers and practitioners will join U-M faculty, bringing multiple perspectives to this complex concern with policy recommendations as the expected outcome.

For more information about the 3-day conference, see Conference Information.

The Wednesday night keynote lecture by Sheryl WuDunn will be open to the public. To register for just the keynote, see WuDunn Registration only.

WuDunn is a Pulitzer Prize winning co-author (with husband Nicholas Kristof ) of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity  for Women Worldwide. This conference is made possible by Rackham Graduate School and the Michigan Meetings conferences. We also thank our Event Contributing Sponsor, Ford Motor Company Fund.

Ms. WuDunn’s address is fully supported by the Christobel Kotelawela Weerasinghe Fund of the Center for the Education of Women. CEW Leadership Council Member Emerita Menakka Bailey created the fund in honor of her mother, Christobel Kotelawela Weerasinghe, a lifelong advocate of cross-cultural dialogue and advancement for women.
Friends and Scholars Weekend   October 17-18, 2014,  Michigan League
This weekend will recognize the 2014 CEW scholars while providing opportunities for former scholars and fellows to reconnect.  CEW has been awarding scholarships to nontraditional students at the University since 1970. We’ll end the weekend with a party for friends of CEW.  We thank our Event Contributing Sponsors, the U-M Credit Union and Retirement Income Solutions.

 

Zora Neale Hurston Lecture: Alice Walker November 5, 2014, Rackham Auditorium 
Along with the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, the Center for the Education of Women will bring Alice Walker to the Michigan campus to deliver the 20th Zora Neale Hurston lecture. As the Zora Neale Hurston lecturer, Walker will explore social justice issues from her unique womanist and black feminist perspective.  Bringing thought and activism together, Walker reflects the complementary missions of DAAS and CEW. This lecture is made possible, in part, by the CEW Frances and Sydney Lewis Visiting Leaders Fund. This event is free and open to the public.