Laker Life

'Her Story' invites female leaders to share their stories

By Tracy Gershon GVL Staff Writer
1/29/2010

Now in its seventh year at Grand Valley State University, the first installment of the three-part "Her Story" series began by exploring the outcome of "When Good Girls Go Bad."

Karen Libman, an associate professor of theater at GVSU, opened the annual series by sharing her personal story and addressing the issue of how being seen as a "good girl" in America affects women and their goals. Libman is one of three speakers who will take part in the series this semester.

"In hearing these stories, students are able to hear the journeys of the person's life and see how personal and career challenges shaped their path," said Jo Ann Wassenaar, associate director of the Women's Center.

Organized each year by the Women's Center and the Women's Commission, the "Her Story" series allows for influential women in leadership positions at GVSU to share their personal and professional stories. These stories relate to who they are and how they achieved the positions they hold today.

This is the seventh year "Her Story" has been an event at GVSU and as the event has progressed, it has gained acknowledgment and attendance from students, not just faculty and staff as in previous years.

"I think 'Her Story' events are extremely important because they shed light on amazing women who are trying to make a difference and, in the process, have inspired other GVSU students to become leaders within the community," said GVSU senior Gabrielle Austin, who plans to attend the series.

Presented in three parts, the first "Her Story" event for this year was a speech by Libman on Wednesday. Libman was selected to speak because of her leadership ability and her interesting personal experiences.

She said when she first learned of her selection for the series, she was a little intimidated by the impact previous speakers had had on audiences and hoped to live up to everyone's expectations.

Libman added she hoped her audience would walk out after she gave her speech with courage to do the right thing, whatever that may be.

Although all of the speakers for this event have different backgrounds and viewpoints, similar characteristics have led all of the speakers to share a common role - mentors. All of these women have been affected by specific people who impacted their lives and served as their personal mentor.

Their mentors played an important role in providing these women with help to pursue their gifts and to realize their potential. Also, the mentors gave them the confidence to achieve their goals.

"Students are at the time in their lives when hearing these stories can be encouraging because they're able to hear about other people's journeys and how they've changed due to personal and career choices," Wassenaar said.

Speakers for this year include faculty member Karen Libman and administrative professionals Connie Dang and Michele Coffill.

Dang is the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and will speak on March 25. Coffill is a communications specialist in News and Information at GVSU and will share her story on April 13.

tgershon@lanthorn.com

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