Advisory: Women’s History Month story ideas from Marquette

March 8, 2022

IWL Word CloudMILWAUKEE — In honor of Women’s History Month, Marquette University has multiple story ideas to help you with your coverage throughout March.

From women in important leadership roles, to employee resource groups dedicated to supporting and empowering women across campus, to notable alumni, Marquette is elevating and supporting women in our community.

  • Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering,offers a unique perspective as the first-ever female dean and full professor of engineering at Marquette, with the goal of “changing the face of engineering.” Ropella, a Marquette alumna, has celebrated over 30 years at the university.
  • Marquette recently finalized the permanent establishment of the Institute for Women’s Leadership, which was initially established in 2019 with a $5 million endowment commitment from the Thomas J. Rolfs Family. The IWL was founded with the mission to advance women’s leadership locally and globally through pioneering research, innovative programming and collaborative engagement.
  • Marquette Moms is one of several employee resource groups at Marquette that support, build community and empower women across campus.
    • Marquette Moms is made up of nearly 150 women and offers support to mothers as they strive to balance work, professional development and family.
    • The Womxn of Color Employee Resource Group aims to affirm and build community among Marquette employees who identify as woman of color (LGBTQ+ inclusive) through programming, social events, community engagement and networking opportunities.
    • The Women of Marquette Employee Resource Group connects and empowers women across campus and affirms and enhances their contributions to our university community. The group fosters professional, personal and spiritual growth, through career development and educational workshops, volunteer opportunities, networking, information sharing, mentoring and speaker panels.
  • @MarquetteU is highlighting some extraordinary women alumni of Marquette throughout the month, including Deb O’Halloran, who founded Second Stork to support which supports new parents in need by providing immediate access to the essential care items required to keep their newborn safe and healthy in the first few weeks, and Shital Vora, co-founder of Global Brigades, an international nonprofit that uniquely implements a holistic model to meet a community’s health and economic goals.
  • In 1909, Marquette was first Catholic university to admit women alongside men. The university celebrated the centennial in 2009 to celebrate the dramatically expanded role of women at the university. Raynor Memorial Libraries maintains an archive of the celebration website with events and resources.
  • For Women’s History Month last year, Marybeth Jacobson, past president of the Association of Marquette University Women, penned a look back — and to the future — for Marquette’s “Women of Action.” This article highlighted some of the milestones for women at Marquette.

For assistance with these stories or experts on women’s topics, you can reach out to Kevin Conway, associate director of university communication, at kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.