Our Roots & Mission

Our Roots

Dedicated to fulfilling the promise of its name, the Women's forum was established as a place of open discussion, creativity and collective problem solving. The roots of the Forum were deeply embedded in the hope that all UK employees would "...find a fertile and equitable haven for their ideas, energies, and talents" (Susan Stempel, a founding Women's Forum Chair).

In 1987, a small group of dedicated women planted and nurtured an idea for a University-wide women's network. Officially created in 1991, the Women's Forum set to work immediately, surveying over 1,800 University women on various issues and establishing the first UK Staff Appreciation Day, all in its first year. Since then, members of the Women's Forum have dedicated their time and talents to making the University a better place for women to work by recognizing and celebrating outstanding University women through the annual Sarah Bennett Holmes Award ceremony and luncheon; giving voice to issues through appointments in numerous committees; educating women on issues through the annual Women's Conference, lecture series and monthly board meetings; and, providing critical development and networking opportunities to its membership.

Our Mission

The UK Women's Forum is an organization for all employees of the University - faculty and staff. Its mission is to exert a leadership role in empowering, validating, informing, including and celebrating all women employed at the University of Kentucky by addressing the challenges, communicating issues, and recognizing successes within the context of the workplace.

Become a member of the women's forum today!