Our Story: CWC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Center for Women and Community (formerly Everywoman’s Center) has provided leadership and advocacy to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Five Colleges, and Hampshire County since 1972.

All are welcome to join in celebrating “Our Story” as we turn 50!

Our Story: CWC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is a daylong drop-in event, that will feature an interactive exhibit, guest speakers, awards highlighting the people who have been a part of our story, live performances, a silent auction, and more.

Drop in anytime on April 4, 2023, 10am-6pm (Alumni hour begins at 4:45pm)

Old Chapel on the UMass Amherst Campus

The exhibit, silent auction, and refreshments will be available from 10am -6pm.

Our Story: Highlights & Schedule

Speakers and Performances

Throughout the day, we will be joined by performers and campus and community leaders celebrating CWC’s historical impact throughout Hampshire County and at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Supporting our Story Award

The Supporting Our Story Award will be given to key supporters in recognition of their contributions to EWC/CWC. Award recipients include UMass and community partners who have supported the mission and helped the organization be what it is today.

Alumni Hour

We invite all EWC/CWC/and WOCLN Alumni to stay until 4:45pm for open mic, group photos, and to reconnect with old friends.

CWC YIS Scholarship: My UMass Bystander Moment

CWC is delighted to mark this anniversary by awarding the first CWC YIS Scholarship. YIS: Your Intervention Strategies represent bystander options to make a difference in our community. Join us as we award two UMass undergraduates who have stepped up as active bystanders using YIS strategies.

Silent Auction (Open for Bidding!)

Help celebrate this anniversary by raising funds to support CWC’s free services for our Hampshire County community and get something you’ll enjoy at the same time! This auction features experiences, adventures, services, and items all donated from local businesses in support of CWC’s mission.

The auction will be available for preview starting Tuesday March 21st and will be open from Tuesday, March 28th at 10am through April 5th at 6pm.

Donate to CWC

Donations are welcome and appreciated.

Event Schedule

10:00 am: Kumble R. Subbaswamy, UMass, Amherst Chancellor

10:30 am: Claire Sheedy, Speaker of the Senate for SGA

11:00 am: Elena Cohen, District Director on behalf of MA State Senator Jo Comerford

11:30 am: Patricia Lee Lewis, Founder, Everywoman’s Center and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

12:00 pm: Carol Wallace, Former Director, Everywoman’s Center and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

12:30 pm: Michelle Goncalves, Founder and Executive Director of UMass Women into Leadership (UWiL) and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chancellor and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

1:00 pm :“Note-orious” Acapella Group, UMass

1:30 pm: Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies Department, UMass, Our Shared Story Award Recipient

2:00 pm: Karen Lederer, Former Undergraduate Advisor in the Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies Department (WGSS) and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

2:30 pm: Marisa Pizii, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy with Collective Power for Reproductive Justice and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

3:00 pm: Brandi Hephner-LaBanc, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Campus Life

3:30 pm: 1st Annual YIS Scholarship Awardees

4:00 pm: Shelly Perdomo -Amhed Former Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Campus Life and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

4:15 pm: Amanda Suzzi-Simmons, Vice President, Graduate Student Senate

4:30 pm: Patricia Cardoso-Erase, Deputy Dean of Students and Supporting Our Story Award Recipient

4:45 pm: Alumni Hour begins (Open mic, group photos, and more)

5:30 pm: Iréne “I-Shea” Shaikly, Drummer, Artist, and UMass & CWC Alumni