The University of Denver Women’s Conference is held each year with the purpose of advancing the success of women within the DU community. This year’s conference theme, “Harnessing the Power of Title IX,” will explore how Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which protects people from gender discrimination in education programs, is currently being utilized, and how it will shape future endeavors for women in the United States.

Denise Maes, director of public policy for the ACLU of Colorado and former White House staff member, will be the keynote speaker. The conference also will include workshops and presentations on women in leadership in higher education; women in athletics, math and science; and antidiscrimination.

The Women’s Staff Alliance for Networking and Development, a DU organization, will present the Robin Morgan Award during the luncheon. Named for a former DU staff member who was instrumental in launching the women’s group on campus, the award is given each year to a female staff member who advocates for women at the University.

Donna Goben, a member of this year’s conference planning committee, has high hopes for the event. “I’m really looking forward to Denise Maes’ presentation, because as an ACLU attorney, she sees the big picture of civil rights and gender equity,” Goben says. “I’m also excited to hear women in leadership positions at DU talk about their own journeys, which I hope will inspire and encourage the community of women and men allies who attend this event.”

The conference will be held Friday, March 1. For more information and to register, visit the conference’s website.