Annual forum puts spotlight on women in sport and leadership

As the national discourse about women, leadership and their pursuit of equity continues to rise, this year's installment of the Global Educational Forum picks up that thread for the University of Georgia community to follow.

The 13th Global Educational Forum, hosted by the department of kinesiology in the College of Education, brings nationally and internationally renowned experts to discuss women's leadership roles, how sport plays a role in this leadership, health and educational issues and the global implications stemming from race and gender. Featured speakers include Maritza Correia McClendon, the first Puerto Rican of African descent to be a member of the U.S. Olympic swimming team; Ketra Armstrong, an accomplished athlete and sports journalist who is the associate dean for graduate programs and faculty affairs at the University of Michigan; and J. Jarpa Dawumi, an assistant professor at Howard University whose background in law and politics offers new perspectives on gender and international human rights.

"This year's Forum showcases the phenomenal ways women have actively contributed to social discourse that evoked substantial changes, specifically in under-privileged and marginalized communities, international organizations and social institutions that are committed to fight for humanity worldwide," said Rose Chepyator-Thomson, a professor of sport management in the department of kinesiology and founder of the annual event. "Our invited scholars will address persistent challenges that women face in their pursuit of equality."

Chepyator-Thomson added that she hoped attendees would leave with an understanding not only of obstacles women face, but also with an idea of opportunities for the future, including creating more inclusive communities or ways to recover from unwelcome life experiences.

The day-long event is also an opportunity for students to showcase their dissertation studies, theses or independent studies focused on global research, study abroad service or outreach activities.

Registration for the event is free. This year's Global Educational Forum takes place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel. The event's three keynote speakers include Dawumi at 8 a.m., McClendon at 12:30 p.m. and Armstrong at 3:30 p.m. The event also includes awards for student researchers, an invited scholar panel focusing on women in agriculture, health, religion and sport, and a student panel of speakers focused on leadership and development in sport.

This year's edition of the Global Educational Forum is sponsored by the UGA African Studies Institute, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute, the College of Education, the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School, the Department of Kinesiology, the Institute for Women's Studies, the Office of Institutional Diversity, and the Office of Global Engagement.