Sacred Heart University held its second annual Women’s Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, March 26 at 12:30 p.m. in UC-205 on West Campus. This year’s event, a formal luncheon, celebrated students, faculty and staff who have contributed to advancing dialogue and progress for women in the SHU community.
Source: Tracey Deer-Mirek, Sacred Heart University
The reception, organized by the Office for LGBTQ+ Affairs and the Multicultural Center, honored individuals across campus nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in supporting women’s rights, leadership and inclusion.
“There are many talented and accomplished people on this campus who better each other and our community every day that are too humble to take credit for their achievements, so this is a great avenue to make appreciation a central focus,” said Kyle Humphreys, associate director of LGBTQ+ Affairs and lead organizer of the luncheon. “We all need some joy and positivity right now, and this happens to be a fun way to do it!”
The event featured a full lunch spread, including Mediterranean dishes, mac and cheese, lemon squares, and tea. The luncheon was also streamed live, allowing virtual attendees to take part in the celebration.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address, delivered by Anne Johnson, director of community engagement at SHU. Johnson shared an inspiring message about leadership, purpose and action.
“My goal was to convey that leadership is not about titles or positions, but about purpose, action and impact,” said Johnson. “I wanted attendees to reflect on their mission, recognize the power of their influence, and commit to using that influence to uplift others and drive meaningful change.”
Using a framework of reflection—“What? So what? Now what?”—Johnson encouraged attendees to think deeply about their roles in creating positive change, both at SHU and beyond.
The theme of the event extended beyond the keynote. A large screen displayed nominee names and submissions, including heartfelt messages recognizing the powerful work being done across campus. Humphreys noted that while the number of nominations was lower this year due to a shortened promotional period, the quality of submissions stood out.
“All our award winners are people who go beyond the duties of their titles for the betterment of their community and the advancement of women and girls,” Humphreys said. “They are standout individuals whose work speaks for them, setting a strong example of what excellence looks like.”
Students, staff and faculty gathered in support of the honorees, taking time out of their busy schedules to pause and appreciate the impact of women and allies across the SHU community.
One of the key messages organizers hoped attendees would take away is that making a difference doesn’t require a large platform.
“I believe everyone has something valuable to contribute, even if they have yet to actualize their potential,” said Humphreys. “You don’t need to be rich, famous, or complete your education to make positive impacts in the world.”
As the event concluded, organizers shared hopes to continue growing the reception in the future, making space for more voices, more stories and even deeper community engagement.
“I hope this event continues to expand its reach and impact, recognizing even more individuals and fostering deeper conversations around leadership, equity and advocacy,” said Johnson.
“As SHU grows, I hope we continue to create spaces where women’s contributions are honored, and where all members of our community feel empowered to step into leadership roles that drive meaningful and lasting change.”
