Speeches

Commission for Women Banquet

Good evening and welcome. I'm pleased to once again join you for this annual celebration of Penn State women and their many accomplishments. As you know, this year marks the 20th anniversary of Penn State's Commission for Women, a group that has continuously provided valuable insight and advice on issues of equity, climate and respect.

Over the last two decades, the Commission has been tremendously instrumental in implementing positive change across the University. With the Commission for Women's guidance, the participation of women within the University has increased, allowing Penn State to flourish as a more diverse and open institution. Those involved in this work since 1981 have championed these efforts over the years, and many of you are in this room tonight. I commend all of you for the immense strides you have made and for the work you continue to perform to make Penn State a more welcoming place. I strongly share the important goal of inclusiveness and I am grateful for the contributions you have made toward this end and also for the supportive and thoughtful approach you have taken over the years.

It has been said that you cannot really see what direction you are headed unless you know the place from where you have come. It is a place where the status of women was not as visible. A place where opportunity was not as readily available. But the unflagging dedication of the Commission and the commitment of this institution to change have created a different Penn State. Today, as we look back briefly over the last two decades, I would like to share with you the advancements we have made, with the knowledge that there is much more to be done.

Since 1981, the number of women in the most senior positions at Penn State has increased dramatically. In the positions of vice president, dean and campus executive officer, we have gone from 1 woman to 15 in these positions today. Now, about one in three such positions is held by a woman.

In the faculty ranks, the number of female faculty members has increased from 564 to 1,437 since 1981 -- more than doubling the number of women that now make up nearly one-third of our total faculty. Over that same time period, the total number of women who are tenured has also more than doubled, from 180 to 384, and the number of women currently on the tenure track amounts to 37 percent of those in that status.

While we celebrate this progress, no one knows as well as those of us in the room tonight, how far we still have to go.

Yet, these statistics represent more than a mere increase in numbers. They also reflect a growing attitudinal shift and a wider societal acceptance of women in leadership positions. I, again, applaud everyone here for the work that has brought us to this point and I promise to continue the momentum that has been created.

Over the years, the Commission for Women has also brought significant attention to issues related to child care, career advancement, professional development, salaries, safety, civility and classroom climate. While these issues impact women, they are also areas of critical importance to the entire University community and society as a whole.

Some barriers do remain, both within society and at Penn State. We have not yet achieved full representation and participation in all areas or at all levels. But with your help we will meet these challenges and continue to move toward a more equitable community and a more responsive University environment.