The Female Quotient celebrates International Women's Day

Caison Kirkland, The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
·2 min read

Mar. 9—VALDOSTA — To celebrate International Women's Day, The Female Quotient organized a panel discussion featuring successful women from the community Friday at Valdosta State University.

The Female Quotient is a Valdosta State University student organization that advances equality by increasing opportunities for women in all professions, especially accounting, finance, economics, and marketing. The 2024 International Women's Day theme is #InspireInclusion, focusing on forging a better, more inclusive world for women. It asks everyone to imagine a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

The event started with an opening introduction from The Female Quotient's president, Lauryn Morrow. Morrow highlighted International Women's Day's purpose and thanked the panel participants before the discussion.

When asked about being president of The Female Quotient, Morrow stated, "I've grown myself, and I feel like my growth has inspired the other members, and they've inspired me to continue growing. It's so rewarding to see everyone learning."

Dean and Professor of Finance Karin Pafford addressed the room to kick off the event and spoke on the importance of having a safe space for women. Pafford spoke on her journey as a female leader and the significance of empowering young women.

"I love this [The Female Quotient's work]. This is why I am happy to get up and come to work every day. It is absolutely fabulous to watch these young women grow into their own," stated Pafford.

Morrow opened the panel by asking successful women in the community questions about gender and business success. A roundtable discussion ensued, covering a variety of topics, including overcoming adversity, tips for succeeding in the workplace as a woman, and personal experiences in the workplace.

Participants included Kristin Hanna, vice president of development and marketing at Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta; Karen Cramer, director of business development at Greenleaf; Denida Cox, chief nursing officer at Greenleaf; and Michelle Neville, chief executive officer at Greenleaf.

Murshed Jahan, economics lecturer at Valdosta State University, concluded the event by acknowledging the work of key members of The Female Quotient and celebrating its first year on campus.