Lipscomb’s student population is nearly 60% female. A group of female students organized the second annual Women’s Empowerment Week.
On Tuesday, Dr. Kate Watkins, the executive director of the Lipscomb LIFE Program, spoke to a group of students and faculty about her personal story as a woman in academia, as well as topics such as women’s role in the church and in the workplace. The night began with dinner and a game of “name that powerful woman.” The audience identified historically significant women through a series of clues from host, Leslie Garcia.
The group laughed and played together before the mic was turned over to the speaker of the night.
Through personal anecdotes and Biblical references, Dr. Watkins shared her wisdom with the audience about the source of true power.
“It is not up to someone else to name me as empowered or to name me as powerful,” Watkins said. “My job does not empower me, my education does not empower me, my recognition does not empower me. I am empowered, hidden in Christ.”
The week has featured multiple sessions, including a special Service Day volunteer location on Wednesday, and a MASK Chapel panel on “Beauty Standards Across Diverse Cultures” on Thursday.
Garcia, a senior English major and president of the Diverse Student Coalition, said she hopes that students, men and women alike, will be able to learn from this week.
“The goal throughout the week is empowering and equipping all students to recognize that there are powerful women on this campus, and in this city and in this country.”