Happy International Women's Day!
Happy International Women's Day! I started my celebration of this special day today by
having breakfast with a woman I greatly admire, Dr. Naomi Lynn,
Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Illinois at Springfield and the
first Hispanic public university president in the United States!! I
extend my best wishes today to all the women in my life that I admire and
appreciate - UIS women students (many of whom serve in important
leadership positions on our campus), UIS women faculty colleagues, our
exceptional UIS women staff, my fellow University of Illinois women
Chancellors, Dr. Phyllis Wise at UIUC and Dr. Paula Allen-Meares in
Chicago, my three wonderful daughters (Kristina, Elizabeth and Rachel and
daughter-in-law Rebecca), my five beautiful granddaughters (Abigail,
Sophia, Camilla, Natalie and Elsa), my much treasured women friends and so many
women (and girls) who are making a difference in the world today in countless
ways. In honor of all of you, I've made my annual donation to Women for Women
International, an NGO that supports women in war–torn regions with aid, job
skills training, education and small business assistance so they can rebuild
their lives. This year, International Women’s Day focuses on ending
violence against women — an ongoing and tragic human rights violation that
affects up to 7 in 10 women. Celebrations are underway today in all corners of
the globe. This link is to a special musical celebration created just for
today.
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