The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a lunch and panel discussion to honor local women who have spent their lives working in public service and government careers.

The lunch will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, in Ledbetter Hall at the Donaghey Student Center (DSC) and will celebrate this year’s Women’s History Month theme: “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.”

Panel members include UALR Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Zulma Toro, Arkansas State Sen. Joyce Elliott, Political Analyst Jessica Sabin, and Assistant City Attorney for North Little Rock and Sherwood Public Defender Tjuana Byrd. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Sara Beth Estes, associate dean in the College of Social Sciences and Communication.

The event’s keynote speaker is Cherine Badawi, an accomplished experiential educator and instructional designer who has worked globally to bring people together and empower them to create a more socially just, thriving, and peaceful world. She will present a lecture about women’s leadership and empowerment.

The event is free to members of the UALR community. For more information, please contact Taylor Sills at tdsills@ualr.edu or Emily Cox at ebcox@ualr.edu.

In addition to the lunch and panel discussion, the UALR Office of Campus Life will host numerous events to celebrate Women’s History Month, including:

• University Program Council Poetry Night with Lady Caress: 7 p.m. Monday, March 7, in DSC-D
• Film Screening of “Half the Sky”: Part 1, noon-2 p.m., Part 2, 6-8 p.m., Monday, March 28, in DSC-G
• Film Screening of “Half the Sky”: Part 1, noon-2 p.m., Part 2, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, in DSC-D
• University Program Council Comedy Night with Tanisha Long: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in DSC Ledbetter Hall Rooms B and C