Pamplin’s held its second annual Women of Pamplin Luncheon at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Photo by Andy Santos for Virginia Tech.

The Pamplin College of Business Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging held their second annual Women of Pamplin Luncheon on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Inn at Virginia Tech.

The annual event brings together all self-identifying women faculty and staff who make up the Pamplin College of Business in honor of Women’s History Month, a national celebration recognizing the historical and more recent contributions of women in today’s society.

“This is a time for our self-identifying women to reconnect and rejuvenate themselves,” said Janice Branch Hall, associate dean for Pamplin's Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). “We want to celebrate the wins amongst our community. Things that we are excited for, achievements that are made, even things that we are grateful for.

“Far too often women aren’t given the chance or the opportunity to celebrate each other or uplift one another, but that is changing in Pamplin and we’re grateful to all the women and allies causing that shift.”

In honor of Women's History Month, Pamplin’s second annual Women of Pamplin Luncheon brings together all self-identifying women faculty and staff who make up the Pamplin College of Business. Photo by Andy Santos for Virginia Tech.

With more than 60 self-identifying women in attendance from both the Blacksburg and Falls Church campus locations, Pamplin faculty and staff gathered to build community, share stories, and raise awareness of women’s lived experiences and the work that has been and still remains to be done.

“Events like this that bring our team together to highlight the positive impact that overlooked groups bring to our community are so important,” said Nicole Girwain, lead administrative manager at the Falls Church campus location in Northern Virginia.

Those in attendance were invited to fill out anonymous manifestation cards, listing their hopes and goals for the next year. Completed manifestations included various topics such as success, happiness, health, meditation, prayer, personal development, and more. A story board was created on DEIB’s website to serve as a reminder of the women of Pamplin’s manifestations. 

As Pamplin works towards achieving goals outlined in the Implementation plan for Strategic Initiative: 5.6. Build a model inclusive community, the Office for DEIB has high hopes in continuing this annual celebration and elevating Pamplin’s culture of belonging for women for generations to come.

- Written by A’me Dalton 

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