Discussion leader Rocky Hwasta, a retired union carpenter of 27 years, will chair the session about Women in Non-Traditional Careers. Ms. Hwasta is president of Allied Cleveland Tradeswomen and a Consultant, Construction Sector Specialist, with Hard Hatted Women of Cleveland.
Cleveland, Ohio: Women today experience inequity in unexpected ways. Often, when a negative situation happens on the job, within the classroom, or within the neighborhood or family, a woman feels that she is the only one facing that problem. Not knowing what to do or wanting to appear uncooperative, she may accept an unfair situation and “live with it.” But in her heart she knows that there has to be a better way.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has dealt with equity issues for women and girls for over 130 years. AAUW members know from experience that women working together on women’s issues can and do make a difference in addressing inequities. Seeking better answers, the Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst Branch of the American Association of University Women is partnering with the Cleveland Teachers Union-Local 279 to provide a free public forum titled 21st Century Women: Strategies for Survival and Success, on March 31, 2012 from 1 to 4 p.m. at University Circle United Methodist Church (1919 East 107th Street at Chester, Cleveland, OH). The forum is slated to help women learn and share effective strategies to deal with life’s inequities.
Four outstanding women professionals will lead the dialogue about solutions to equity problems:
Keynote speaker Karen Jennings Lewis, President of the Chicago Teachers Union. Ms. Lewis has led the 30,000 member Chicago Teachers Union Local 1 since July, 2010, a job which has offered many opportunities to challenge inequities within the educational system. An outspoken advocate for her union members and for the children in the Chicago Public Schools, Lewis is used to challenges.
Discussion leader Yvonne Pointer, Cleveland anti-violence activist, will chair the session titled No More Victimhood. Ms. Pointer, a nationally known author and member of the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, founded Positive Plus, a support group for women who have lost children through violence after her daughter Gloria was murdered in 1984. She firmly believes that one person can make a difference and works for safer communities.
Discussion leader Jakki Dukes, National Board Certified Teacher with the Hudson City Schools, will chair the session titled Raising Girls in the 21st Century. Ms. Dukes has served on the Ohio Educator Standards Board and worked for three Fortune 50 companies. She is committed to preparing students to meet the challenges in the global economy of the 21st century.
Discussion leader Rocky Hwasta, a retired union carpenter of 27 years, will chair the session about Women in Non-Traditional Careers. Ms. Hwasta is president of Allied Cleveland Tradeswomen and a Consultant, Construction Sector Specialist, with Hard Hatted Women of Cleveland.
The forum site is handicapped accessible with free, monitored parking behind the church or across the street in the Judson Manor parking lot.
The American Association of University Women, with its nationwide network of more than 100,000 members, 1,000 branches, and 500 college and university partners, has been a leading advocate for equity and education for women and girls since 1881. AAUW celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2011.
