Cherney Attends White House Summit on Women’s Equality

Merrimack College School of Education and Social Policy Dean Isabelle Cherney recently attended the invitation-only White House United State of Women Summit studying gender equality and justice.

About 5,000 women and men gathered for the summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. to review recent advances of gender equality for women and what still needs to be done.

 

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the power of the next generation, the millenials,” Cherney said after returning from the summit. “It was uplifting to see the young women in the room.”

 

The conference speakers included a Who’s Who of political, social and financial market figures, including President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and business investor Warren Buffett, of Berkshire Hathaway. The summit touched on key pillars of discussion including economic empowerment, violence against women, health and wellness, entrepreneurship and innovation, educational opportunities, and leadership and civic engagement.

 

“Joe Biden was so genuine, so passionate,” Cherney said.

 

During the summit, Oprah Winfrey interviewed First Lady Michelle Obama much as she would talk with a guest on her long-running television show.

 

The White House announced during the summit that it is committing $50 million toward improving the lives of girls and women around the world, including gender gap inequities.

 

“I took away from it that we are in good hands,” Cherney said. “These were men and women passionate about helping.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Related News

Two student volunteers chop vegetables in Hands to Help's new meal prep kitchen

Merrimack College’s Hands to Help Kitchen Open For Service

The kitchen expands the College’s Food Recovery Network chapter.
Headshot of Grant Jackson

Sports Injury Leads to Internship for Merrimack College Student

While attending Merrimack’s Professional Development Retreat, Grant Jackson ’23 networked his way into a summer internship in the coastal town of Rockport, Mass.
Photo of Jack Boyce and Father Nicholas A. Sannella, J.D., M.D.

Board Chairman, Area Priest to Receive Honorary Degrees from Merrimack College

Jack Boyce, chair of Merrimack College’s Board of Trustees and member of the Class of 1981, and Father Nicholas A. Sannella, J.D., M.D., will be recognized on Friday, May 19, during the College’s Baccalaureate Mass and Conferral of Degrees ceremony.