Programming
Following in the footsteps of our founders to consciously read the signs of the times and respond to them, the Center for Women in Church and Society (CWCS) provides educational programming for the campus as well as the surrounding community.
These events and programs are hosted in collaboration with various campus and community organizations and follow our mission to:
- Create an environment where women support each other in living lives of physical, mental and spiritual abundance;
- Develop the leadership potential of women; and
- Foster an environment that empowers women as agents of social, economic and political change.
Recent event topics have included:
- Race and ethnic relations
- U.S. presidential election
- Interfaith relations
- Sexual assault on campus
- Immigration and environmental justice
The following are just some examples of recent events that have been sponsored or co-sponsored by the CWCS.
Creating an Environment of Support
Living a Life of Abundance Staff Retreat
This staff retreat gave staff and administrators an opportunity to come together and nurture their spiritual lives. The day focused on what it means to live a life of mental, physical and spiritual abundance.
Conversations on Faith
These presentation and dialogue sessions seek to draw similarities in theological thought and reflection between diverse faith traditions in the hopes that the OLLU community will have a greater and deeper understanding of all of God's people.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month event
For the past several years, CWCS has co-sponsored a Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraising event with Kappa Delta Chi Sorority. Proceeds from the event benefit WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving and Sharing), a local organization that provides comprehensive breast health services to women in Central and South Texas who are uninsured.
Living in the Hyphen series
The purpose of this series of events is to explore what it means for groups who live in the "hyphen" of being Americans -- African American, Mexican American, Native American, etc. The forums provide opportunities for discovery, open discussion and a celebration of other cultures. Specific events have included, "Living in the Hyphen: Zoot Suit Style," which explored the Zoot Suit/Pachuco style, and "Living in the Hyphen: Journey to Freedom," which recognizes Black History Month and has taken students on trips to New Orleans and Alabama to explore the roots of civil rights.
Develop the Leadership Potential of Women
Sister Margit Nagy, CDP, Award for Empowerment of Women
The Sister Margit Nagy, CDP, Award to Empowerment of Women is given annually to a student who embodies the mission for the Center for Women in Church and Society and the charism of our founders, the Sisters of Divine Providence, through their dedication and service.
Servant Leader Internship Program
This internship program was geared toward students who demonstrated a commitment to personal growth and an interest in becoming a servant leader. Selected students were paired with community leaders who were also in a leadership positions in their chosen professions. Students worked alongside their mentors for a semester while also meeting collectively to share their experiences with one another.