Council for IWU Women (CFW) Women's Weekend
The Council for IWU Women (CFW), which began in 2006, was created to support female-identifying
students with the help of successful alumnae as mentors and as resources. Join us
for all or part of a weekend of sessions to connect, serve, learn and be inspired.
While the weekend is focused on students, faculty, staff, and alumnae who identify
as women, all are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Come as you are!
CFW Women’s Weekend events are free and open to the Illinois Wesleyan community, alumni,
faculty, staff, and students. Weekend activities, scholarships, and meals are funded
by Council for IWU Women members.
CFW Women's Weekend is scheduled for March 1-2, 2024.
Friday, March 1 |
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9:30 -11:30 AM - Reconnecting with Faculty Various, On Campus Council for Women Members Only: Stop by and say hi to some of your favorite faculty and staff. CFW members are encouraged to visit with faculty and staff members at their offices. |
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11:30 AM - Kickoff Luncheon Joslin Atrium, Memorial Center Keynote speaker: Colleen L. Kannaday, FACHE, President of Carle BroMenn Medical Center, current Illinois Wesleyan University Trustee Colleen L. Kannaday, FACHE, is President of Carle BroMenn Medical Center, a 200-bed Acute Care Hospital in Normal, Illinois as well as Carle Eureka Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Eureka, Illinois. Both organizations are part of Carle Health, located in Urbana, Illinois. Prior to joining Carle, Colleen was the President of St. Francis Hospital & Health Center in Blue Island, Illinois. She was also Vice President of Operations at St. Eugene Community Hospital in Dillon, South Carolina. Both St. Francis and St. Eugene were members of SSM Health, a Catholic system in St. Louis, Missouri and the first healthcare recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Colleen holds a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from St. Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. Colleen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Illinois Wesleyan University and the Foundation Board for Illinois State University. She is a member of the PAC Board for the Illinois Hospital Association and is a former IHA Board Member. Colleen and her husband Kim live in Bloomington and are the proud parents of two children. |
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1 - 4 PM - Fix it Friday Nell Eckley Lounge, Memorial Center Have clothing that needs basic sewing, mending or repair? Drop by to have it repaired on the spot for free! Quick repairs are offered including mending a hole or sewing on a button, major alterations are not available. In partnership with Illinois State University’s Office of Sustainability. |
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1:30 - 6:30 PM - Conversation Corner Nell Eckley Lounge, Memorial Center NEW THIS YEAR! Need a break between sessions? Want to continue a great conversation? Drop in to Nell Eckley Lounge throughout the weekend to unwind, continue chatting with fellow attendees or just have a moment to yourself. |
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1:45 PM - Narrative 4 Story Exchange Joslin Atrium, Memorial Center "The one true democracy we have is storytelling. It goes across borders, boundaries, genders, wealth, race—everyone has a story to tell." -Colum McCann. Narrative 4 is an international movement started by writers and artists to help us create fearless hope through radical empathy. With over 100,000 story exchanges worldwide, participants have felt the power of sharing and the caring community that emerges. Join us in a story exchange session as we share our stories and harness the energy inherent in personal narratives to change the world. |
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4 - 4:45 PM - Together in Service Various, On Campus Get to know other Council members and students while you work together on a community service project. In partnership with the Office of Residential Life and the Office of Student Involvement. |
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4 - 5 PM - Mock Interviews Various, On Campus Practice Interviews with Council Interviewers. Students must pre-register with the Hart Career Center. |
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5 - 5:50 PM - Following in her Footsteps 2nd Floor, Hansen Student Center Don’t build a network. Find one person worth following. Start one conversation—and create one new relationship —with IWU women who define success by helping you achieve yours. |
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6 - 8 PM - Trivia Night hosted by Twin City Trivia Hansen Center Court, Hansen Student Center Test your knowledge of women. Women of IWU, women in history, pop culture icons, trends and more! Grab your friends and bring home bragging rights and prizes! |
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8 - 10 PM - Wilder House After Hours Wilder House Council for Women Members Only: Wind down at Wilder House and reconnect with Council members. Join us for great food and conversation. |
Saturday, March 2 |
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9 - 10 AM - Sunrise Social & Headshots Joslin Atrium Council for Women Members Only: Get the day started right with a bite to eat, a little caffeine, and a chance to connect with Council members. A professional photographer will be on hand to take your headshot if you’d like, free of charge! |
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10 -11:30 AM - CFW Annual Meeting Joslin Atrium Council for Women Members Only: Join us for the CFW Annual Meetings. After all, we are stronger together. |
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12 -1:30 PM - Scholarship Luncheon Young Main Lounge Join us over lunch to hear from this year’s amazing CFW scholarship winners as they share their stories. Together we’ll share a meal, inspired to invest in each other and ourselves. |
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1:30 - 5 PM - Conversation Corner Nell Eckley Lounge, Memorial Center NEW THIS YEAR! Need a break between sessions? Want to continue a great conversation? Drop in to Nell Eckley Lounge throughout the weekend to unwind, continue chatting with fellow attendees or just have a moment to yourself. |
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1:45 PM - A Call to Action: Women’s Civic and Political Engagement Turfler Room, Memorial Center Change started with them. It also starts with you. Students and alumnae will share their experiences working to improve their communities and the world, with tips and suggestions for how to take action yourself. Panelists: Itzel Mendoza ‘24, Erin Milligan ‘04, Sharla Brown-Ajayi (Director of Diversity and Inclusion at IWU). Facilitator: Jazmyne Kellogg ‘16. |
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3 PM - Women Across Generations Turfler Room, Memorial Center Explore how women’s experiences and perspectives have changed (or not) over time with this interactive panel of Gen Zers, Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Panelists: Gen Z: Valeria Suarez ‘26, Millennial: TBD, Gen X: Kim Bankston ‘96, Baby Boomer: Marilynn Graves ‘79. Facilitator: Cindi Perrine ‘88. |
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5 PM - Optional Dinner Nell Eckley Lounge, Memorial Center Join other CFW members for great conversation over a relaxed meal at a local restaurant. Transportation available for those who need it! Meet in Nell Eckley Lounge to depart together. Location TBD based on headcount. |
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7 PM - Unity Gala Hansen Center Court, Hansen Student Center CFW Members are welcome to attend the 6th Annual IWU Unity Gala! Attendees can expect music, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres followed by dancing from all genres and decades. It is a special opportunity to celebrate the diversity of IWU with students, faculty/staff, and alumni! Registration information will be sent separately. |