Wednesday, March 5th was another reminder of how gathering is a vital component of community-centered growth. Thank you to over 300 of you who showed up for An Evening with CWL—both in person and online—and for sharing your evening with us. What a powerful way to celebrate the 2025 Women’s History Month theme, Moving Forward Together.

With your generous support, we raised $71,461 to invest in even more women and gender-expansive leaders.

Thank you.

We hope this gathering has left you inspired, connected and renewed. At the end of our program, Co-Director Jessica Mole Heilman shared a reflection that evokes a sense of the agency-in-action that CWL is all about; the last stanza from a Marge Piercy poem called The Low Road:

It goes on one at a time,

it starts when you care to act,

it starts when you do it again after they said no,

it starts when you say We

and know who you mean,

and each day you mean one more.

May these words inspire the leader within us all, and may you lean in as WE continue this journey together.

We thank the many lovely humans who were part of the evening and are now out doing great things in our communities, including speakers: 

  • Nya Mbock, 
  • Co-Directors Vicki Reitenauer and Jessica Mole Heilman, 
  • Lisa Watson, 
  • Zoë Gamell Brown, 
  • Mariana Garcia-Medina, 
  • Alix Zimmermann, 
  • Elizabeth Howe, 
  • Khadija Davis, 
  • Debi Lorence, 
  • Nikita Vincent, 
  • Marilyn Maldonado Dominguez, 
  • Dr. Roberta Hunte, 
  • Mariana Garcia-Medina, 
  • Samantha Gladu, 
  • Lisa Kwon, 
  • Erin San Antonio, 
  • Sentilla Hawley, 
  • Sophia Retnani, and,
  • Josey Wilson, 

As well as a big congratulations again to former Oregon State Senator Ginny Burdick.

We’re so glad you’re part of this journey with us. We invite you to continue this momentum—whether by staying connected, spreading the word, or making an ongoing commitment to this work.

About An Evening with the Center for Women's Leadership

An Evening with CWL will  brought us together on Wednesday, March 5 to welcome the promise of spring renewal. Women and gender expansive community leaders from across the region shared their own stories of growth and what investing in CWL makes possible. We offered ways for our statewide ecosystem to be a part of this evening—at The LOFT at 8th Avenue in Portland, or with a free live broadcast of our program.

This program was a celebration of transformative leadership and a chance to invest in resources and programs that nurture women and gender expansive leaders. However you decided to engage, we hope you found opportunities to participate, donate and more!

We are pleased to be collaborating with local businesses and leaders to create a meaningful night of gathering and relationship building. 

Headshot of Senator Ginny Burdick smiling in a purple sweater

Celebrating Honorable Ginny Burdick

We are excited to celebrate the trailblazing career of Honorable Ginny Burdick!  

Burdick served for 25 years in the Oregon state legislature where she held in a wide range of leadership roles including Senate President and Majority Leader. 

EVENT DETAILS 

An Evening with CWL is a safe and inclusive event. We maintain confidentiality and respect, ensuring a harassment-free space where everyone is valued. If any issues arise, please inform CWL staff immediately.

ATTIRE
You do you! Dress in any way you feel festive and expressive. We recommend your favorite “photo booth fun” look.

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION
Free street Parking is available near the building and varies from 2-3 hours (during daytime hours) to all day.

Click here for driving directions.
Click here for public transportation information.
Order a Lyft, Uber or cab.

GUEST CHECK-IN
There are no physical tickets to print or show us when you check-in. Check in at registration to get your bid card. You can start a tab with a credit card, or pay with cash or check at the end of the night. You'll only be charged for what you spend and we will email or print your receipt at checkout.

ACCESSIBILITY
The Loft at 8th Avenue fully complies with ADA guidelines. Please let us know if you have any additional needs and we will be happy to accommodate!

MENU
During the reception, enjoy a selection of passed appetizers with fresh, local ingredients, and be sure to visit each of the 3 food stations before the program begins. We’ll be seated theater-style for the program, so dinner won’t be served after the reception. Gluten-free and vegan options will be available. If you have any dietary restrictions, please inquire with the catering service team.

Our bar will offer a selection of beer and wine, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Share your favorite moments from the evening!
Instagram @centerwomensleadership

More questions? Please contact us cwlinfo@pdx.edu