Half the Sky at Rockford College

At Rockford College, we believe we can change the world.

"Half the Sky" is a year-long program sponsored by Rockford College with the help of local civic leaders Jim and Pam Keeling. It is aimed at improving conditions in underdeveloped countries by making the tools available to enable people to make a living for themselves, especially women. Read more...The project is based on the best-selling book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The book follows stories of extraordinary women around the world as they struggle to overcome oppression. Learn more about the authors.

Sheryl WuDunn will lecturing at Rockford College through the Forum Series in March 2011. The "Half the Sky" steering group hopes to have as many people - at Rockford College and in the community - read the book prior to the lecture. You can purchase the book at the Rockford College Bookstore or here.

Several events are taking place this year in support of the initiative including:

• Book clubs
• Beads for Life
• International Day of Peace
• Film Festivals
• Sexual trafficking awareness
• Microfinance fund development
• World Bicycle Relief at Rockford College 
• Sheryl WuDunn lecture

Read our blog!

Event schedule

September 2010

September 13-17, 2010: Beads for Life sales (outside of the mail desk in the Burpee Center) *continual events
September 14, 2010: Book Club, Noon - 1 p.m., Faculty Dining Room, Burpee Center
September 16, 2010: Focus Group, 6:15 p.m., Grace Roper Lounge, Burpee Center
September 21, 2010: International Day of Peace events

October 2010

October 12, 2010: Book Club, Noon - 1 p.m., Faculty Dining Room, Burpee Center
Microfinance Club meetings

November 2010

November 16, 2010: Book Club, Noon - 1 p.m., Faculty Dining Room, Burpee Center
                                      Henna and Movie Night, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Kent Center
November 18, 2010: World Bicycle Relief, Noon - 1 p.m., Lion's Den
November 18, 2010: Sexual trafficking awareness event, community locations
Microfinance Club meetings

December 2010

December 6, 2010: Book Club, Noon - 1 p.m., Faculty Dining Room, Burpee Center
Microfinance Club meetings

January 2011

January 25, 2010: Book discussion at Rockford Public Library main branch., 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
January 28, 2010: Book reviews to Lindsay Kent or Sarah Stringer
Microfinance Club meetings

February 2011

February 7, 2011: Jennifer Braun from International Midwife Assistance will speak - 6:00 p.m., Regent's Hall
February 8, 2011: Book Club, Noon - 1 p.m., Faculty Dining Room
February 16, 2011: Book discussion at Wired Cafe on State St., 6-7:30 p.m.
February 17, 2011: Bead for Life Party - e-mail Faye Marcus with the AAUW for more details!
February 22, 2011: Book discussion at Katie's Cup on 7th St., 6-7:30 p.m.
February 23, 2011: Movie Night co-sponsored by Rockford College JACCE and AAUW, 6:30 p.m., Fisher Chapel with Q/A
                                   following the movie
February 24, 2011: Book discussion at Carlyle Brewery, 7-8:30 p.m.
Microfinance Club meetings

March 2011

March 6, 2011: Marsha Wallace, Executive Director for Dining with Women will speak at 4:00 p.m., Our Savior's Lutheran
                            Church Social Hall
March 14, 2011: Book Club, Noon - 1 p.m., Faculty Dining Room
                              Movie Night, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Faculty Dining Room
Microfinance Club meetings

March 15, 2011: Sheryl WuDunn Patron Event, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., Private Reception with tickets available
March 15, 2011: Sheryl WuDunn Forum Event at 7:30 p.m., Maddox Theatre



May 2011

May 2, 2011: Barbara Reynolds, UNICEF Sr. Advisor-Education will speak at 4:30 p.m., Regents Hall

Get more involved - resources are available here.
Additional resources: World Bicycle Relief, Dining For Women, International Midwife Assistance

Please check our event calendar for more events surrounding "Half the Sky" at Rockford College.