IWD Conference Themes

In 2005 the theme was “The Global Women’s Health Crisis and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Working Towards Healing,” and speakers included H.E. Inonge Lewanika, the Ambassador of Zambia to the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean; Dr. Kaethe Weingarten, clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School; and Dr. Leslie Wolfe, director of the Center for Women’s Policy Research in Washington, D.C.

In 2006 the theme was “Women in the Global and Local Economy: The Power of Connection,” with a special keynote address by activist and best-selling author Frances Moore Lappé. Speakers included Dr. Caren Grown, codirector of the Levy Institute for Economics at Bard College and Michaela Walsh, founding president of Women’s World Banking.

In 2007, the theme was “From Literacy to Leadership: Education Empowering Women Worldwide,” and speakers included President Joanne Creighton of Mount Holyoke College, President Mary Grant of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Provost and Vice President Mary Marcy of Simon’s Rock, Fahima Vorgetts, founding board member of Women for Afghan Women, and many others.

The theme for 2008 is “Women in Politics: Changing the Face of Power.”