Sul Ross State University Hosts Second Annual Women’s Conference
By Jesse Rodriguez, Skyline Contributor
ALPINE – In celebration of women’s history month, Sul Ross State University invites SRSU students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community to attend the second annual women’s conference on March 31.
The conference will include 23 diverse female panelists. This year’s panel topics are the glass ceiling, women in a male-dominated field, emotional labor, violence, and women and change.
“We have several women who have been pastors, we have women who are professional artists,” said Jeanne Qvarnstrom, an education professor at SRSU. “There will also be women who are lawyers, educators, business women and scientists. All of them are coming together to focus on their five themes that will hopefully promote a greater understanding of what possibilities there are for men and women in our society.”
Sometimes, it seems impossible for women to break through the glass ceiling given the limitations in career choices, especially in smaller communities. Education through studies is crucial, but it's also important to show a glimpse of the real world that lies beyond graduation. For underserved communities, changing the perspective is the key to breaking through that glass ceiling.
“I would say one glass ceiling is in politics and leadership. Oftentimes, it's very hard for a woman to be considered to be elected mayor of their community, to be on city councils or even on school boards, local leadership can be a challenge,” Qvarnstrom said.
“Even at the university level, Sul Ross has never had a female president. Yet, there are many capable women with the right credentials who could be a university president,” Qvarnstrom said.
In smaller communities, there are additional challenges that stand in the way of women progressing. In a community where you are boxed in, expressing yourself can be a challenge.
In accordance with last year’s conference, a scholarship of $500 will be awarded to both a graduate and undergraduate student.