ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw Community College (WCC) Foundation invites the public to attend the Wednesday, May 25, Women’s Council Celebration. The virtual event from 5-6 p.m. honors the achievements of women throughout the community and raises money for the college’s Student Emergency Fund to help students overcome barriers and stay in school.
Dr. Cleopatra Caldwell, Yodit Mesfin Johnson and Daicia Price will be recognized as “Sheroes” for their service to the WCC community and beyond.
Dr. Nora Martin, Emeritus Professor at Eastern Michigan University, will deliver the keynote address.
Additionally, in commemoration of the WCC Foundation Women’s Council 25th anniversary, the inaugural “Women’s Council Lifetime Service to Students Award” will be presented to WCC Board of Trustees member Diana McKnight-Morton. This award honors individuals who have worked to ensure the success of WCC students.
In addition to recognizing the leadership and accomplishments of this year’s “Sheroes,” the Women’s Council Celebration will serve as a fundraiser for the Student Emergency Fund, which provides emergency assistance to WCC students.
The pandemic continues to have a profound effect on WCC students, and requests for assistance from the Student Emergency Fund have increased substantially.
The fund assists students experiencing financial hardships to help them stay in school at WCC and achieve their educational goals. Emergency grants up to $500 help pay for unexpected needs such as food shortages, child care, housing, utility shutoff notices, healthcare costs, transportation expenses or technology and school supplies. Eighty-three percent of students who have received assistance through the emergency fund have graduated or remained in school.
Individuals and groups are invited to attend. Register and donate here.
Other speakers at the Women’s Council Celebration include WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, Women’s Council Chair Meredith Miller and WCC alumna Carlie Wilson.
About the keynote speaker and honorees:
Dr. Nora Martin
Dr. Martin is an Emeritus Professor from Eastern Michigan University. Now a consultant, she has extensive knowledge of learning styles and motivational techniques for children of all ages. Parents Imparting Heritage and Discipline is among her notable publications. Martin received the Martin Luther King Award for Service in 2005, was inducted in the EMU College of Education Hall of Fame and was selected as EMU’s Distinguished Faculty.
Dr. Cleopatra Caldwell
Dr. Caldwell is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education as well as Director of the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. She is also a Faculty Associate with the Program for Research on Black Americans at the Institute for Social Research and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan.
Yodit Mesfin Johnson
Johnson is President & CEO of Nonprofit Enterprises at Work. Johnson has been working at the intersections of racial and economic justice and practices for women, Black, indigenous and all people of color for nearly two decades. She is the founder of a boutique consulting practice and nonprofit, Black Men Read, a storytelling program for youth that that tells the powerful stories of the African diaspora, and sits on the board of the United Way for Washtenaw County.
Daicia Price
Price serves as a clinical assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan School of School Work. She has gained clinical and macro practice experience in juvenile justice, community mental health, housing, schools and foster care. As a mental health, first aid and Question, Persuade, Refer instructor, Price is committed to sharing her personal and professional experiences and knowledge to support others.
Diana McKnight-Morton
McKnight-Morton, who has served on the WCC Board of Trustees since 1994, founded and was past president of the Ann Arbor Community Development Corp. She is being recognized for her decades of work and commitment to ensure that students, especially women, from Washtenaw County can access the support needed to succeed at WCC. During more than two decades of service, her efforts have had an enormous impact on countless numbers of WCC students.
A variety of participation and support opportunities are available. Participants are encouraged to consider partnering with family, friends, colleagues and business associates to select a sponsorship level.
Participation Levels
- Presidential, $5,000
- Celebration, $2,500
- Ambassador, $1,000
- Friend, $75
If You Go
What: Women’s Council Celebration
When: 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25
Where: Virtually
Register: Click to register.
About Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Ann Arbor, Mich., educates students through a wide range of associate and certificate programs in areas such as health care, business, STEM and advanced transportation and mobility. WCC offers accelerated and online programs and is ranked the number one community college in Michigan, according to schools.com. WCC is committed to student success, with nearly 70% of students intending to transfer to complete a bachelor degree. The college also works through community, business and union partnerships to develop highly specialized training programs to meet the region’s workforce talent needs.
For more information about Washtenaw Community College, visit www.wccnet.edu.
