Women's week is coming up, Feb. 23 through March 4 to raise awareness of what the women of UD are accomplishing, and to let everyone know what they are all about.

'It's about bringing a female voice to UD's campus without causing a scene, and by empowering the women on campus to say, 'Hey UD, we're here, watch us do great things!'' said Ashlee Valentine, Women's Week board member. 'It's about the women of UD.'

UD has a long-standing tradition of recognizing women who have done great things here. The Annie T. Thornton annual Leadership Conference was put in to place in the spring of 2002.

The university also has a women's center, which 'advances the full and active participation of women who learn and work at the University of Dayton while promoting campus and community conversations on the role of women in society and the world,' according to its mission statement.

A series of events will take place as part of Women's Week, starting with a kick-off concert at the KU Pub, Thursday, Feb. 23. Other events include a self-defense class at the RecPlex Feb. 28.

Officer Sherman of the Oakwood Police Department will come to teach ways for a woman to defend herself in any situation. Author Judith Ezekiel will be speaking at the advocacy dinner on March 4 in the KU Ballroom.

During her presentation, she will introduce her books on feminism and discuss feminism worldwide. The dinner starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at the KU box office.

These are only a few of the many events taking place during women's week. A complete list of events is included in the sidebar to the left.

'In order to attend the events of the week, you don't have to be a feminist,' Valentine said. 'You can just come to find out what the events or the week is about and show interest in having a feminine voice on UD's campus.'