Annual Events

The Women’s Center offers a variety of programs exploring important issues such as women’s health, financial independence, sexuality, and violence against women. Each year, we look forward to hosting these annual programs:

Shin Dig – An Ice Cream Social and Resource Fair on the Chicago Campus

The Shin Dig Ice Cream Social was created for graduate students from all graduate programs on the Chicago campus to come together and meet students from other programs. Through the event, the Women’s Center collaborates with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to continue the efforts accomplished by the former Graduate Student Chicago Campus Task Force to address community-building issues on the Chicago campus.

College Feminists / Women’s Center Annual BBQ

The Women’s Center collaborates with College Feminists to host an annual barbecue for incoming students. College Feminists is an extremely active undergraduate organization on NU’s Evanston campus. This barbecue introduces new students to the Women’s Center, women’s organizations, activism, and social issues at NU.

Residential Life Community Assistants Fall Pizza Lunch

The Women’s Center uses this lunch event to inform the Community Assistants about the Women’s Center’s services for students. In this informal setting, student leaders learn how they can provide referrals and educational information to their residents about the Women’s Center.

NU Connections

This program for staff women provides the opportunity for new women employees to come together and cultivate a sense of community at Northwestern. The Women’s Center hosts this luncheon each fall and spring quarter.

Welcome Reception for New Women Faculty

The Provost’s Office and the Women’s Center sponsor this annual reception for the Organization of Women Faculty to welcome new women faculty. This event offers new women faculty the opportunity to network with veteran faculty members and administrators.

Annual Women’s Staff Holiday Luncheon

The holiday luncheon provides an excellent opportunity for the Women’s Center to acknowledge the significant contributions staff women make to the NU community. The luncheon is cosponsored by the Association of Northwestern University Women (ANUW) and is our effort to show our gratitude and appreciation for all exempt and non-exempt staff women at the university. This annual event has been held each year since the establishment of the Women’s Center in 1986.

International Women’s Day

Co-sponsored with ANUW, this annual event and reception celebrates the world’s women on the international holiday.

Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day

Each year, the Women’s Center, ANUW, the Office of Human Resources, and our valued volunteers organize and host this one-day event for the children of Northwestern University students, faculty, and staff. Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day provides young girls and boys with extensive opportunities to learn about the careers available to them and learn about men and women excelling across all occupations.

Take Back the Night

Organized by College Feminists, the Women’s Center sponsors this annual march to raise awareness and help end sexual violence.

Survival Skills for Graduate Students and Junior Faculty Women

Each year, the Women’s Center invites three female full professors to speak to junior faculty and graduate students to offer tips on how to launch an academic career and survive faculty life.

Annual Black Women’s Retreat

Co-sponsored with the Multicultural Students Association, this half-day program provides women from the university’s African American community the opportunity for participants to form and nurture connections with other women outside the classroom.