The Women's Resource Center of Eastern Michigan University will hold its annual Women of Excellence Award Ceremony and luncheon event Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
The university’s Women’s Resource Center has been putting on this event for years, said Kimberly Ferrell, the current coordinator of the WRC. The purpose of the ceremony is to celebrate great work that’s been done by students, faculty, staff and community members.
“This is a very inspiring and empowering event for our students, faculty, staff and community members, and it's always in the theme of a celebration of accomplishments,” Ferrell said.
The event is meant to highlight the positive impacts women have made on campus or in the community, Ferrell said. The ceremony recognizes individuals who contribute to women’s empowerment through projects or their involvement in a leadership role.
Before the awards ceremony, the WRC puts out a call for nominations where students, faculty and staff have the chance to nominate one another. The nominations go to a committee that uses a rubric to decide who will be recognized at the event.
The rubric has qualifications, such as that awardees must be individuals or organizations that have made a positive impact on women and gender equality. The committee looks for consistent engagement on campus or in the community in support of women’s development, Ferrell said.
“We look for those that demonstrate leadership initiative beyond the role that they are currently doing and innovative approaches to women's rights,” Ferrell said.
Last year, some of the acknowledgements went to student organizations and sororities that did work centered on women’s issues. The groups worked on awareness and prevention concerning domestic violence, sexual assault and breast cancer, Ferrell said.
The Women of Excellence luncheon will take place in Room 310 A/B of EMU’s Student Center on March 25, 2026, from 4:30-6 p.m. The maximum capacity for the room is around 190-200; last year, the event had around 180 attendees, Ferrell said. This year, there are currently 150 RSVPs, most of which are from people there to support and celebrate the award winners, Ferrell said. The event is open to the public, so there will be community members present as well.
The general schedule of the program is subject to change, but currently, it will open with a welcome address from Ferrell. Next, attendees will hear from the keynote speaker, Tiffany Mensah, the founder and executive director of D.O.V.E.S Network, an organization that works to prevent domestic violence.
Following the keynote speaker, Diane Longwood, the first director of the WRC, will explain the history of the event and the center, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, Ferrell said. Finally, the awards will be presented, and graduating students will participate in a processional, during which they will receive a rope, a stole and a certificate of achievement from the WRC.
While some of the other events put on by the WRC are about notable women from history, this ceremony is meant to highlight the great work being done by women today, Ferrell said. Women's History Month often celebrates famous and impactful women, but Ferrell said she hopes that people understand that smaller actions can be important, too.
“Movements and coalitions start small, and so if you can impact the campus and the local community in any way, shape or form, I think that's innovative. I think that is a woman that is a trailblazer and a pioneer that is worth being acknowledged and recognized for the work that they're doing," Ferrell said.
More information about the WRC can be found on its website.
