IWD 2016 digital program

Contents WELCOME.......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE ................................................................................................................................................... 3 GLOBAL SPEAKERS ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 ................................................................................................................................... 4 ...................................................................................................................................... 5 ...................................................................................................................... 6 ...................................................................................................................................... 7 ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 VIRTUAL SPEAKERS .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 ................................................................................................................................ 10 ............................................................................................................................................. 11 ............................................................................................................ 12 .................................................................................................................................................. 13 COMMUNITY VENDORS................................................................................................................................................... 14 VENUE INFORMATION..................................................................................................................................................... 20 SOCIAL MEDIA ................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Click on the link below to access the Wiki blog page ............................................................................................. 22 When making comments to the Wiki Page ............................................................................................................. 22 ABOUT ............................................................................................................................................................................. 23 ................................................................................................................................................... 23 ................................................................................................................................................... 24 .............................................................................................................................................. 25 ......................................................................................................................................... 26 .......................................................................................................................................................... 27 PRESS RELEASE .............................................................................................................................................................. 28

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#StepItUpLive

2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

WELCOME Welcome!

It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome you to National Louis University, Wheeling Campus for the 2016 International Women’s Day Planet 50-50 by 2030 Step It Up for Gender Equality Event.

This year we are honored to have you join us in celebrating International Women’s Day and supporting gender equality for women and girls by 2040. Around the world, women are organizing events in more than 40 countries, including marches, rallies, conferences, musical events, sports matches and marathons.

The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th during International Women’s Year in 1975. In December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Today, men and women celebrate together in support of equality by sharing knowledge, mentoring, and attending events such as this one.

International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement is strengthening and has helped build support for women’s rights and participation in the political, educational, business, arts and economic arenas.

As an Event Co-Convener, I wish to personally thank the organizing committee, Monica Ramos, Pauline DeGrazia and Pam DeFiglio, for supporting this event in Wheeling and making it a reality. I also take this opportunity to thank National Louis University’s IT department for connecting us globally!

A special thank you also needs to be extended to our presenters who have supported their travel and time to this event to share their stories and to create opportunities for future collaboration.

Finally, I would also like to thank our sponsors (National Louis University, ICET, Global Coalition for Change, Red de Talentos Mexicanos Chicago, and Diverse People Solutions), who continue to be strong advocates for equality.

As everyone has a role to play to make gender equality a reality. Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality addresses the challenges that are holding women and girls back from reaching their full potential.

Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in our history within their countries and communities.

We imagine a world where all women and girls have equal opportunities and rights by 2030. Step It Up asks for a global commitment that will close the gender equality gap – from laws and policies to national action plans and adequate investment. NOW is the time to Step It Up! I look forward to meeting with you during the celebration of International Women’s Day 2016 event.

Carol O’Meara Event Co-Convener

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Session 1 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Registration and Networking – National Louis University Wheeling Campus, Foyer and Open Space (Meet, Greet and Network)

5:00 pm - 5:50 pm

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Welcome to International Women’s Day 2016! Hello Virtual Viewers!

Welcome to National Louis University #Planet5050 #StepItUpLive

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Why We Celebrate International Women's Day Why Celebrate IWD at National Louis University

Guest Speakers  Monica Haydee Ramos (Decision-making)  Amy Philpott (Business/entrepreneurship)  Michele Jochner (Decision-making)  Katherine Bergman (Business/entrepreneurship)  Krista Vendy (Business/entrepreneurship) 5:50 pm - 6:00 pm

Questions from the Audience

6:00 pm - 6:10 pm

Break

Session 2 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm

Welcome Virtual Guest Speakers via Zoom Guest Speakers  Stephanie Charging Eagle (Education)  Hendrina Doroba (Decision-making)  Sharon Hughes (Education)  Dr. Khalid Khan (Education)

6:45 pm - 6:55 pm

Questions from the Audience

6:55 pm - 7:00 pm

Closing Remarks  Thanks to: o Sponsors o Organizers o Volunteers o Vendors o NLU and all presenters o Audience (virtual)  Planet 50-50 by 2030 Step It Up for Gender Equality Blog page  StepItUp 50-50 by 2030 Blog

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Networking and FREE finger food

8.00 pm

Event Closed

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GLOBAL SPEAKERS Tuesday, March 8, 2016

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

National Louis University, Wheeling Campus In-Person Speakers

Associate Dean, National College of Education at National Louis University Greater Chicago Area, IL USA Professor James O'Meara is the Director of program Development and Analysis for the National College of Education at National Louis University. He serves as the President of the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), an international non-government organization (INGO) currently delivering its third consecutive teacher capacity building project in Africa through the support of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Participation Program.

Prof. O'Meara recently ended his term as an elected member of the UNESCO NGO Liaison Committee, where he worked to advance collaborations between UNESCO and NGO's by internationalizing UNESCO educational initiatives. His final contribution involved coordinating a session at UNESCO's International Conference of NGO's on how NGO's can further improve their efforts beyond 2015 to work with policy-makers, communities and teachers to promote quality education and learning outcomes for all children, youth and adults, in formal and non-formal settings throughout life. His cross-sector work in that role included collaborating with the African Scientific Institute, the Education Futures Collaboration MESH (Mapping Educational Specialist knowHow) initiative, the World Literacy Summit and the Global Coalition for Change.

In 2014 Professor O'Meara was invited to join UNESCO's International Task Force on Teachers for EFA (Education for All). As part of this role he convened the Chicago Dialogue, a forum for teachers and teacher educators, to develop a position statement on the role of teachers and teacher educators in the post-2015 EFA agenda.

In 2015 Professor O'Meara will lead a series of Dialogues in Australia, Jalisco (Mexico) and Macau with key local stakeholders to develop position statements on different dimensions of the post-2015 EFA agenda. He will also conduct a series of teacher education workshops in India on the effective use of research informed teaching strategies to improve the quality of classroom learning.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Director of Family and Community Engagement and Student Success Coach National Louis University, Chicago, IL USA Monica Haydee Ramos is the Director of Family and Community Engagement and Student Success Coach at National Louis University. A native from Guadalajara, Mexico, she holds a Masters of Arts in Adult Education and Literacy and pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum, Advocacy and Education Policy at NLU. Monica’s goal is to be part of a strong group of diversified professional champions informing the US education agenda. It is her desire as a Latina educator to contribute to the creation of effective curriculum and policy that meet the needs of minority students.

She advocates for education, family and community engagement, student success, diversification of the teacher pipeline, and the advancement of the Latino community. Supporting family and community engagement, she leads the NLU Academy of Parents in Leadership. Through her work with the community, she provides literacy strategies, social emotional child development, family-school-community engagement and civic leadership. Her efforts on unparalleled student experience were supported by the Secretariat of Education Jalisco. She received the IME Scholarship in three occasions. These funds provided support to low-income, non FAFSA eligible Mexican students.

On a volunteer basis, she is founding director of the International Council on Education for Teaching Emerging Leaders in Teacher Education program. ICET ELITE that builds leadership capacity among talented teacher candidates seeking to internationalize their learning environments. Monica serves in the advisory boards of Institute of Mexicans Abroad (CCIME) contributing to projects in benefit of the Mexican immigrant community in the US, Mujeres de HACE empowering high potential Latinas, and Passages providing scholarships. She is an active member of Red de Talentos Mexicanos. She was named an emerging Latina leader in the inaugural list of 40 under 40 by Negocios Now. She also received the New Latina Star award in education by Verizon and was recognized by the Binational Institute of Human Development with the Yolotlmeztli award for her contributions to education and women empowerment.

In 2014, she presented her work on “The impact of cultural immersion to prepare and support racially and ethnically diverse, first generation pre-service teachers” at Oxford University. In 2015, she presented her research on "Culturally relevant support to reduce attrition among bilingual teachers in urban school settings" at the University of Naruto in Japan.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Entrepreneur, Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Greater Chicago Area, IL USA

Amy Philpott is a Southern California native, raised in San Diego, CA. Amy has her BA in Behavioral Science from The University of San Diego. Oddly enough, Amy found her career path taking her into operations management where she worked for several years each, at Fed Ex and Trader Joe's. Those companies relocated Amy throughout the country, and it was Trader Joe’s that brought her to the NW suburbs of Chicago.

An opportunity presented itself in 2007, and Amy bought Tuscan Market & Wine Shop in Downtown Arlington Heights, Il. Over eight and one half years, she submerged herself into the store/restaurant operation, the community and volunteer opportunities in the Northwest Suburbs. The relationships developed over those years created the opportunity to sell Tuscan Market & Wine Shop in March of 2015, and she has remained with the shop serving as the operations consultant. Another door of opportunity presented itself, and Amy joined Picket Fence Realty as a broker/associate in May 2015. When Amy is not showing houses or working on listings, she loves to golf, watch sports and spend time with family and friends.

Amy has served on the Arlington Heights Economic Alliance for three years, is a current member of the Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Club and just completed her term as the 2015 President of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Attorney at Law Partner, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP Chicago, IL USA Ms. Jochner represents clients in complex and high-stakes family law matters.

Prior to joining the Firm as a Partner, Ms. Jochner served for 15 years as a judicial law clerk to two Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court: the late Hon. Mary Ann G. McMorrow and the Hon. Charles E. Freeman. During her tenure with our State's highest tribunal, she has worked on numerous high-profile matters involving cutting-edge issues of first impression, providing her with a unique breadth and depth of experience in all areas of substantive and procedural law combined with a keen understanding of the mechanics of our trial and appellate courts. Her first-hand experience and crucial insights into the State court system provide her with the basis to craft and communicate compelling legal strategy and arguments.

A recognized legal scholar, expert writer and educator to law students and attorneys, Ms. Jochner has been honored by her peers in "Best Lawyers in America," as a Super Lawyer, as a "Leading Lawyer" who ranks in the top 100 Women Consumer Lawyers in Illinois and as the recipient of the 2015 Top Women Lawyers in Leadership Award by the Women's Bar Association of Illinois. She also has authored nearly 200 articles on a wide array of legal topics appearing in publications nationwide, and her two columns, “Law From a Different Perspective” and "On Appeal," appear regularly in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. She is listed in several “Who’s Who” publications, and was previously recognized as one of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Ms. Jochner regularly speaks on legal issues to various groups across the State, including seminars on effective legal writing, appellate advocacy, and family law. For the last decade, she has appeared as part of the “Illinois Law” television broadcasts as a panelist for that series’ annual review of United States Supreme Court decisions. She has also served as an adjunct professor at both DePaul University College of Law and The John Marshall Law School. In testament to her career-long commitment to legal education, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Ms. Jochner to serve as the Vice-Chair its Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board.

Ms. Jochner is active with many organizations, including the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), where she serves as a member of both the Executive Committee of the CBA’s Alliance for Women and of the Editorial Board of the CBA Record, and chairs the CBA's Committee on Public Affairs. She is similarly active with the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), where she is a past member of the Board of Governors and the Editorial Board of the Illinois Bar Journal. Currently, she is a co-editor of the Bench & Bar Newsletter, serves as a member of the Family Law Section Council, and is an elected member of the ISBA Assembly.

She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), as well as on three panels at her alma mater, DePaul University College of Law: the Dean’s Council, The Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center Advisory Board, and the Advisory Board for the Center for Public Interest Law. She also holds several leadership positions within the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and serves on the Leader Council for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Ms. Jochner also actively mentors numerous law students at DePaul, as well as through Phi Alpha Delta. Her mentoring efforts were recently recognized by The Chicago Lawyer Magazine in naming her one of 2013's "Women Making an Impact."

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Executive Director of Main Street Opera, Professional Singer Greater Chicago Area, IL USA

Ms. Bergman is a high-energy, strategic thinker with a passion for opera. In the business world she has proven her technical financial and operational strengths, leading her teams to achieve success. With work experience outside of the United States, Ms. Bergman has developed the ability to successfully operate in a multi-culture, multi-language environment. She has additional strengths in operations financial management, acquisition evaluation and integration as well as project management.

Artistically, Ms. Bergman regularly performs in the United States and abroad as a soloist in opera, oratorio, and Broadway engagements. She has sung with many opera companies including the Cincinnati Opera, DuPage Opera, Sorg Opera, Genesis Opera, American Chamber Opera, Verismo Opera Theatre and Main Street Opera. Recent roles include the title roles in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Tosca and Beethoven’s Fidelio. Her concert engagements in the United States and abroad include major concert works such as Beethoven’s Ah! Perfido, Ravel’s Shéhérazade, Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, and Barber’s Andromache’s Farewell as well as scenes from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. .

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Actress, Ambassador, Producer, Presenter Los Angeles, CA USA Krista Vendy is an Australian actress known for her roles on TV shows including Neighbours, where she played teacher Teresa "Tess" Bell. Since Neighbours she has guest starred in television roles in Australia and the United States including, Blue Heelers, Shock Jock, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Pizza, Leverage and Mental. Her Film credits include The Writer, Fat Pizza, Horseplay, The Incredible Hulk and Matching Jack.

Krista’s modelling career was a natural extension to her film and television appearances. Her covers include Black and White, Inside Sports, TV Week and Who magazines.

Krista has balanced her acting and modelling with a lifelong interest in charity. Krista comes from a family of charitable supporters. Her father David, is a former Mayor of Ballarat, and is known for his support of hospices and of his passionate work concerning Historical Cities of the World. Her brother Simon is a paramedic with a palliative care background, and her mother Christal has actively assisted causes such as homeless and disadvantaged youth.

Krista’s charity work in Australia included working with a not-for-profit organisation that believed in the potential of every individual, regardless of the complexity of their disability. Scope supports more than 6,000 people with a disability to lead the life they choose. Scope work with more than 1,000 community organisations to help create welcoming and inclusive communities for people with a disability.

Krista also supported Young Variety, a children’s charity dedicated to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn. Krista drew on her character teacher, Teresa "Tess" Bell, when helping children in need to overcome whatever obstacles they face and live life to the fullest – simply put, she helped kids be kids.

Over the years Krista has served in many ambassadorial roles including Australia Day Ambassador, ‘Say No to Pets in Pet Shops’ and the “Face of Foster’s” for the Australian Grand Prix. In 2008 Banksia appointed Krista as its first patron. In that role Krista has been a passionate supporter of Community Palliative Care and of Banksia’s fundraising events. Krista’s particular interest is to create awareness that community palliative care is not just for elderly people, and pain relief based for a very short period of time.

Krista now spends a large amount of her time in the US. She is currently following her passion of archeology by studying First Civilizations at UCLA. In her 2016 article in Artview, she shared that many people budding Archeologist were drawn to the area after watching Indiana Jones. We are looking forward to seeing Krista putting her studies to use while playing a female archeologist on the big screen.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

VIRTUAL SPEAKERS Tuesday, March 8, 2016

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

National Louis University, Wheeling Campus Virtual / Online Speakers

Tribal Education Specialist Dupree, South Dakota, USA Stephanie Charging Eagle is a Lakota from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. She is Hoh'woju (Planters by Water), one of the seven subbands of the Titunwan (Tipi Dwellers) of the Lakota dialect speaking Bands of the Great Sioux Nation. Stephanie is a descendant of Si Tanka's (Big Foot) Band, a leader who along with his people suffered annihilation at the hands of the United States military at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

Stephanie is blessed with her parents, Steve and Lorraine Charging Eagle of Red Scaffold, South Dakota, who still reside on the reservation as respected elders, five siblings, five hunka (adoption by ceremony) daughters, ages 2, 12, 14, 17, 19, and 27, and a large tiospaye (extended family). Like her siblings, Lakota is her first language, and she continues to speak, read, and writes the language fluently.

She has earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education at Black Hills State University in South Dakota and a master's degree from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma. Stephanie taught middle school and high school in the social sciences, and Lakota language, culture and history (Indian Studies) in K-12 grades and at the higher education level (tribal college and state).

In pursuing her doctoral degree, she is guided by personal motivation and a desire to help her Lakota/ Dakota/ Nakota people. Her work in language revitalization spans a period of over 20 years as a classroom teacher, educator, administrator and presenter at various national, local and regional conferences, and as a community language activist.

Stephanie's career in education and work in the Indian community leads to the goal of learning skills of scholarly research in language revitalization. Ultimately, with her doctoral degree, her goal is to contribute her skills, education, and cultural/language knowledge as a Lakota woman to aid the Indian community to achieve a quality, culturally relevant lifestyle.

A challenge that Stephanie sees in today's society for American Indian women is to maintain the balance of their roles in both their tribal societies and mainstream societies. American Indian women, historically, have been the "keepers of the traditions" and many of these women are entering higher education to improve the quality of life for their community in general. The wisdom of American Indian women has been evident for centuries as they resist assimilation and compromise their role in their tribal societies. Moreover, this resistance must be strengthened through language revitalization.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Executive Director, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Africa Hendrina Doroba has over 30 years of work experience. As a leader, she has successfully managed various teams during her varied portfolios as programme manager and coordinator at both regional and national level, teacher trainer and school teacher.

Hendrina has been at FAWE since July 2007. She has meritoriously coordinated regional programmes across the 33 sub-Saharan African countries where FAWE has a presence. Her area of expertise include design and development of gender responsive programmes, training of trainers on FAWE’s gender responsive models, project coordination, monitoring and evaluations, policy analysis and advocacy. She is well experienced in strategic planning has coordinated and developed strategic plans, annual work programmes and reports. She has excellent networking and skills for nurturing partnerships; she has supported and strengthened links between FAWE NCs, various Ministries of Education, funding partners and other civil society.

Hendrina is proficient in promoting organisational policy and leading local, national and international teams to define requirements and deliver rapid results in constantly changing environments. She has an excellent understanding of gender and education issues, and the challenges that exists particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Hendrina has ably presented papers on gender and education in Africa at regional and international conference/meetings.

She is a very competent strategist with a proven track record in effective programme management and coordination; policy analysis, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation. Hendrina has a strong commitment to social justice, social development work, advocacy, networking and fundraising for equal access to education. Hendrina has led a team that has mobilised over $30 million dollar towards the implementation of the FAWE Strategic Plans Hendrina’s international and national exposure has given her an opportunity to deepen her understanding of the political, economic social and cultural environment in which the social sector reform process operates at various levels globally. She enjoys being part of, as well as managing, motivating, training and developing, a successful and productive team. She thrives in highly pressurised and challenging working environments.

Prior to joining FAWE in 2007, Hendrina worked with Irish Embassy (Zambia) as Education Manager, and Oxfam GB Zambia as National Coordinator, Commonwealth Education Fund Project, supporting and strengthening the capacities of 12 local NGOs. She also taught Secondary School Mathematics and Geography to girls, developed and coordinated in –service training programmes for mathematics teachers in Zambia.

Hendrina holds a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from the National University of Ireland, Dublin. She is a graduate and member of the Global Women Leadership Network (GWLN) and a Synergos Senior Fellow.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Melbourne, Victoria Australia Sharon Hughes was born 1963 in Wongan Hills, Western Australia and raised in Mullewa, 300 kilometers north east of Perth. She is one of eight children in her Yamitji family.

She moved to Melbourne 1976 as a fourteen year old, finished high school in 1979 and entered a printing machinist trade two days later. At this time Sharon didn't realise it was a male dominated trade. This realization did not stop her. Sharon figured that there was a possibility she could be one of the first woman to do so and in particular as an Aboriginal woman. After completing the apprenticeship, she started working at Sybylla Press, a small women's printing and publishing house. She worked in the printing industry for about ten years.

Sharon decided to return to study, completed an Associate Diploma in Social Science and worked in this field while she studied. She also tutored primary aged students, which opened another door to work in education. While thoroughly enjoying the work in this field, she was able to relate her experiences and connect with Aboriginal students.

Although she loved reading and writing as a child, it was always a struggle as an Aboriginal person and was never encouraged; but only put down. Her determination began as a Koori Educator in her adult life. It gave her an opportunity to empower children to experience an opposite life than her own. Sharon found this to be a challenge.

Writing books has always been something she had always talked about for a long time, especially books that her own people could identify and relate. Sharon started working at another school in the same role. This school had a large population of Aboriginal children and much more supportive of Aboriginal issues. It was in this environment that children were sent to her during literacy lesson because they weren't engaging so they thought they should write their own books.

Sixteen years later, Sharon was filling in as Koori Educator at the same school, when an opportunity to write some books presented itself. It was also at this time Sharon saw an advertisement to study for B.A. in Creative Writing at Bachelor Institute Indigenous Tertiary Education in the Northern Territory. Two weeks into the course, she received a phone call to say the books were going to be published.

The three books were co-written with three other Aboriginal people. Three years later, Sharon also graduated. She would love to have the time where she does not have to work and continue to write. She had worked in many areas to increase her skills and knowledge in order to choose to work where she feels she is best suited at that time. Most importantly she works hard at finding ways to empower her people to be what they want to be, especially children.

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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality

Project Director Women University Swabi/ Additional Secretary for Higher Education Khyber Pakhtunkhw (KP) Province, Pakistan Dr. Khan has a passion for Higher Education in particular for female education.

He has been making sincere and consistent endeavors ever since posted in the position of Additional Secretary Higher Education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a political party founded by the former and famed Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan PTI, right after coming into power in the province of KP declared ‘Education Emergency’. PTI believes in raising education standards across the country, launching a strong campaign to achieve universal literacy, and promoting schools and colleges in the nation.

Appreciating the contribution of Dr. Khan it was decided to assign additional tasks in Higher Education sector in KP province to work for female education in a meeting chaired by Mr. Speaker of the provincial assembly for the. In line with this belief, he was asked to establish a Women’s University in the Swabi district within KP Province. Over the next two years, he worked hard to achieve this goal driven by the belief that unless we educate our women things is unlikely to change. He has been assisting in reducing the existing ratio male to female Colleges and enrollment of more than two to one. The limited number of Women Colleges coupled with low female enrollment figures prompted the decision to identify the reducing gender gap and improving the quality of learning outcomes as his key priorities for transforming KP Province. The positive response from the local community prompted the birth of a third women university in the Province in Mardan. Currently Dr. Khan is developing plans to meet the requests for women universities in Mansehra as well the Southern and the Northern districts. He describes the overall response to Women Universities as phenomenal, a situation he attributes to the combination of quality faculty and very satisfied parents.

Dr. Khan is often asked about why a women university when co-education is available and should be pursued. He invariably tells them he believes that we need more women universities and colleges to reduce the gender gap in higher education. He also believes with one generation of more educated mothers, Pakistan will witness a turnaround in the economy as well as an improvement in overall health and wellbeing of the society. Driven by the passion to champion the cause of female education with a “Why Not” philosophy to take on any challenge and accept any responsibility, Dr. Khan believes that we need educated women to make the world a better place to live – a transformed world where there is no gender bias.

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COMMUNITY VENDORS Tuesday, March 8, 2016 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

National Louis University, Wheeling Campus Networking in Open Space

We present the best music of grand opera, light opera, and Broadway – from the works of Mozart and Puccini to Menotti, Gershwin, and many others. We’re proud to bring the classic “big voices” of opera to your neighborhood and to give performers with emerging talent an opportunity to work beside experienced singers to hone their craft.

Pick up detail for our July mainstage show.

Katherine Bergman 309 E Rand Rd #165 Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Consult.Bergman@gmail.com 224-764-0789 www.mainstreetopera.org

My mission is to help bring families back to the dinner table with quick and easy and tasty meals.

Earn rewards for signing up for Home delivery of 10 meals or more every other month. No obligation to continue. 10% discount on each future order and free shipping with the 4th order and after. We provide all the recipe cards, your shopping list and how to prepare for the day or the freezer. Also a possible 20-30% extra discount or get your products paid for. I am offering 10% discount on anything ordered or purchased from me the day of the event.

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On April 2, 2008, on the eve of the economic collapse, three women took a risk and started a law firm. What started as three women in a small office has grown to become one of the largest entirely female-owned law firms in the Chicago area.

At WP&D, you are not hiring a generalist. We believe clients receive the best legal advice when working with an attorney who concentrates in a specific area of the law. We add value by providing you with a complete range of services – from Business Law and Litigation, to Family Law and Estate Planning/Probate – provided by a full staff of lawyers and paralegals with years of experience, honing their skills in their specific practice area.

Waltz, Palmer & Dawson, LLC is a small firm that gets big results We provide direct, efficient and cost effective legal services to creatively achieve our clients’ goals. No over-lawyering. No big delays. Just high quality service.

Waltz, Palmer & Dawson, LLC 3701 Algonquin Road, Suite 300 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847.253.8800 wpdlegal.com

Susan Holmbraker is a Chicago-based muralist and decorative artist. She has devoted her creative talents in this area since graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1990.

Her murals adorn restaurants, homes and businesses throughout the Chicago area. Her work covers a wide range of decorative painting, from large murals to children’s rooms, to painted furniture and pet portraits. Her work has been featured in Crain’s Chicago Business, the Daily Herald and the Rockford Register Star.

Her work can be seen at mural-istic.net and she can be reached at +1-312-286-3532.

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Silpada Designs offers beautiful hand crafted jewelry and accessories, from classic to contemporary, price points $19-$299, truly something for everyone, with a lifetime guarantee!

Necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, scarves, handbags and wallets.

Online shoppers receive 10% Discount at this shopping link: http://sild.es/156a There will be a Free Raffle for all those attending the event!! A Winner will receive a necklace, retail value $49.

Natalie Griffin Independent Representative Silpada Designs Jewelry & Accessories +1-847-606-9697 Email: griff1303@comcast.net Website: www.mysilpada.com/natalie.griffin

We have partnered with Legal Shield to offer the most comprehensive products on the market for protecting and restoring the identity of individuals and families that will provide you and your family with peace of mind.

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First-Time Home Buyers Condominiums Luxury Homes New Construction Senior Market Relocation Investment Properties Investment Portfolios Short Sales & Foreclosures Land Commercial

Niki Metropoulos Broker, GRI, CDPE 32 15 W. Algonquin Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-875-0951 cell 847-255-3193 office http://www.nikimetro.com/ niki@nikimetro.com

Our mission is to contribute to highly-skilled Mexicans living abroad who are connected to businesses or sectors that generate high value-add and can contribute to a better integration of Mexico into the global economy, in particular, in the "knowledge economy".

Red de Talentos Mexicanos Network seeks to identify cooperation projects that leverage the contacts, knowledge and experience of Mexicans abroad.

Our objectives are to:  Facilitate the generation of high value projects in the business, education, culture and technology areas  Contribute in the competitiveness of Mexico in the areas of research, innovation and development to reinforce the development of the binational company  Spread the Mexican talent in Chicago through periodical publications of the activities of the members and the achievements of the chapter that will be posted on the web site, social media and other forms of communication media  Serve as a link between the members and other chapters of Red de Talentos to promote the exchange of initiatives and reinforce the whole network For additional information, visit our website: http://redtalentoschicago.wix.com/redtalentosmexeng#!services/c1iwz

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Global Coalition For Change is an international philanthropic network and change-making agency.

In recent times it has also become an independent foundation initiating programs and building capacity for projects that look to progress positive change. Our primary driver is to work towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the last three years we have worked in and with partners across the globe, most notably in the United States of America with the First Nations and Teacher Retention programs; In Australia in the education and health sectors that relate to Aboriginal peoples; and in Africa with female teachers and their training. While education and wellbeing are a focus now, we aim to expand our presence and support across the spectrum of the SDG area (as struck by the United Nations in 2015). Presently, our work (including our partners) stretches across most continents and involves millions of people every day.

For more information, please contact our secretariat on: admin@globalcoalitionforchange.org There is much more information our website www.globalcoalitionforchange.org

Diverse People Solutions provides coaching services to people experiencing career changes, life transitions and/or cultural diversity in both domestic and international. Our Positive Strengths-based coaching program guides the client to discover hidden strengths and untapped potential to achieve meaningful, long term success. We use the ‘CALM’™ Approach to support clients in removing barriers to accelerate their transitions.

When partnering and using our approach and programs, the clients will notice an increased level of confidence as they begin to clarify goals, identify directions, and evaluate success based on their personal values, purpose and vision.

To have the opportunity to discuss how you can explore possibilities, design a vision and develop strategies for moving forward in your transition, schedule your appointment today.

Carol O’Meara Professional Coach, Consultant, Published Author E: info@diversepeoplesolutions.com W: www.diversepeoplesolutions.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolomeara W: www.pplsolutions.com.au

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The vision of ICET is that all learners will have access to a high quality education in which educators are appropriately qualified and recognized as motivated and committed professionals and practitioners.

The mission of ICET is to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of learners in all parts of the world by providing opportunities for those involved in their education to share knowledge, practice, resources, and expertise and establish active partnerships that are designed to enhance the quality of teaching and learning and improve life opportunities for young people.

ICET's Global Mission and Goals  To foster international cooperation for improving the quality of preparation of teachers, administrators and other education specialists through the development of national, regional and international networks.  To promote cooperation between higher education institutions, government and the private sector to develop a worldwide network of resources for innovative programs in international educational development.  To provide an international forum for the exchange of information and the discussion of issues and trends in education and development.  To assist educational personnel training institutions all over the world to respond to the need for improved facilities, diversified curricula and alternative and non-traditional educational methods.

James O'Meara, President Email: president@icet4u.org Website: http://www.icet4u.org/

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VENUE INFORMATION National Louis University Wheeling Campus 1000 Capitol Drive Wheeling, IL 60090 » Get directions

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Sponsors and Supporters Sponsors

Supporters    

Student Volunteers Facilities Management Team IT Team National Louis University

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SOCIAL MEDIA Wiki Page Click on the link below to access the Wiki blog page

StepItUp 50-50 by 2030 Blog or http://iwd2016.pbworks.com/w/page/105387507/Planet%205050%20by%202030%3A%20Step%20It%20Up%20for%20Gender%20Equality?email=carol.omeara2 %40gmail.com When making comments to the Wiki Page 1. The is a space where you can share your thoughts about Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality prior to The International Women's Day event hosted at National Louis University Chicago, Wheeling Campus.

2. You can also share after the event your reactions to the speakers and your general thoughts about the event.

3. To add a comment, simply type your comment at the bottom of the Wiki blog page and remember to hit Add comment.

Hash Tags In addition to commenting on this Wiki, you can share your thoughts and reaction on social media using the following tags from now until 2030:

#Planet5050 #StepItUpLive @UN_Women

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PRESS RELEASE International Women’s Day 2016 at Woman-Founded University to Feature Experts Zoomed in from around Globe One expert is increasing girls’ education levels in Malala Yousafzai’s province in Pakistan, near Afghanistan; others do similar work in Africa, Australia, in a Native American tribe and in Chicagoland.

In conjunction with United Nations Women’s ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030, Step It Up for Gender Equality’ campaign.

CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2016 - Women’s advocates from Australia, Africa, Pakistan and various U.S. locations will participate in an event heralding International Women’s Day, and encouraging women’s further progress on gender equality, on March 8 at National Louis University.

The event, which organizers are excited to initiate in Chicago and hope to make an annual observance, aligns with the United Nations’ urging of women’s equality first declared at the historic Beijing Women’s Conference in 1995.

Reflecting UN Women’s 2016 tagline of “Planet 50-50 by 2013, Step It Up for Gender Equality,” speakers will touch on three areas in which UN findings say more work is needed to get women to 50-50 equality: education, business/career and decision-making.

The audience will get a grasp on the issues, such as that the United States fell to 28th place for gender equality, behind countries such as Nicaragua, the Philippines and Rwanda, on the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap report (http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2015/rankings/) but that, within the U.S., Illinois ranks third (http://progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2015/08/24/whats-statuswomens-equality-illinois).

Speakers at the event, which will be held at National Louis University’s Wheeling, Ill., USA campus, include the following: On the topic of education: Stephanie Charging Eagle, tribal education specialist, Dupree, South Dakota, USA, helps Lakota Sioux women pursue higher education while preserving native traditions and language.

Sharon Hughes, an author in Melbourne, Australia, had to persist through discouragement in order to write children’s books for her own aboriginal people. She promotes literacy in the aboriginal community.

Dr. Khalid Khan, secretary of the higher education department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (Malala Yousafzai’s province) champions access to education for girls and women.

Sharon Hughes, author from Melbourne, Australia: Encouraging adult and family engagement in learning to promote total literacy for all people.

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On the topic of business/entrepreneurship: Amy Philpott, entrepreneur and past chairman of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce: Promoting equal access to programs and opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Katherine Bergman, professional singer at Main Street Opera in Arlington Heights, Illinois: Increasing training in managerial areas for women in business and arts to increase income-generating opportunities.

Krista Vendy, actress, producer and presenter: Recognizing the specific needs of women in the media, and facilitating the increased participation of women in communication, in particular at the international level.

On the topic of decision-making: Michele Jochner, attorney at law with Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Chicago: Identifying, recruiting and retaining women for leadership, decision-making and management on any equal basis with men.

Hendrina Doroba, executive director at the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Kenya: Creating a gender-sensitive educational system in order to ensure equal educational and training opportunities and full and equal participation of women in educational administration and policy and decision-making.

Monica Haydee Ramos, director of family and community engagement at NLU and Pilot Member of ICET Emerging Leaders in Teacher Education Program: Collaborating with parents, to provide young women with, leadership and social skills and work experience to prepare them to participate fully in society.

National Louis University provides a symbolically appropriate place for the event because of its history of women leaders. In 1886, Elizabeth Harrison founded the school which grew into the university, and its current president and provost are Nivine Megahed, Ph.D., and Alison Hilsabeck, Ph.D., respectively.

The event has three organizers. Carol O’Meara is an author and American military veteran who married an Australian, James O’Meara, and gained such expertise during her time living in Australia that, upon moving to Chicago, she started a consultancy in coaching people through work, life and culture transitions. James O’Meara, Ed.D, is a professor of education at National Louis University, president of International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), an international thought leader in the arena of preparing and retaining teachers and the facilitator for the event. Monica Ramos, referenced above in the Speakers section of this press release, is a third organizer.

When: Tuesday, March 8, Registration and Networking at 4-5p.m, Program 5-7 pm Light food, drinks and networking 7-8 p.m.

Where: National Louis University’s Wheeling Campus, 1000 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL Cost: Free, but registration required at http://nationallouisuniversity.cvent.com/events/planet-50-50-by-2030step-it-up-for-gender-equality/event-summary-e871f7edea2b49598b34c62a91a47071.aspx?lang=en&sms=4 If you cannot attend in person, attend by Zoom at https://nl.zoom.us/j/125606472

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A brief and clear explanation of why we celebrate International Women's Day  

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International Women's Day began in 1909 as a day to recognize the achievements of women More recently (1995) the UN lead the development of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to expand the focus of the day by highlighting 12 critical areas of concern to gender equality and the empowerment of women 2016 represents the 21st anniversary of the Beijing declaration and the first year of the post 2015 [or post millennium development goals era (i.e. 2000-2015)], unfortunately many of the same barriers and constraints that were recognized by the Beijing signatories are still in force globally. There are bright highlights where progress has been made. But no country has achieved gender equality Concern over the lack of progress reported in 2015 promoted world leaders assembled to adopt Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals to initiate a new plan a new campaign of Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality

Why this is significant for the audience    

In 2015 The United States fell to 28th place on a yearly list of the world's most and least equal countries for men and women, behind countries including Iceland, Rwanda and Germany.

Illinois is the third most equal state for women.

The 100 Percent Project. Its aim is to end gender bias in Illinois and achieve equitable employment of women all the way to corporate suites and political seats by 2030 Everyone has a role to play to make gender equality a lived reality by 2030.

What people can do after they leave the event to further the cause of 50-50 

Attendees can further the cause by: o Creating, supporting others, and/or participating in programs for gender equality and the empowerment of women o Encouraging women's participation in decision-making at all levels of the community o Creating public education campaigns to designed to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women o Participate in the Wiki blog page StepItUp 50-50 by 2030 Blog

Equality of access to and attainment of educational qualifications is necessary if more women are to become agents of change.

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