Photos: Women of Color Empowerment Dinner

On Friday, May 13, Student Outreach Services at Western Washington University held the 18th-annual Women of Color Empowerment Dinner and Silent Auction.

The dinner is designed to encourage women of diverse backgrounds to become leaders in the community. Through communication of the spoken word these women shared their stories and talents with other students, faculty, staff and community members.

The theme this year was Voices of Hope: A Beautiful Awakening. 

Amanda Raschkow
WWU Communications and Marketing intern
Attendees of the 2016 Women of Color Empowerment Dinner socialize and eat during the event. Photo by Amanda Raschkow / WWU Communications intern
Original artworks created by students at Western are on display at the silent auction. All the proceeds from the silent auction go to the funds for the Women of Color Empowerment Scholarship for 2017.
Each table is set with programs of the nights’ events along with biographies of the Voices of Hope Panelists. The dinner was buffet style with a decadent chocolate dessert placed on each table.
Western student Kalia Castro sings Beyoncé’s “Halo” to start off the student performances of the night.
The three women of color Voices of Hope Panelists Le’Ana Freeman, Rachel Andrews and Dr. Regina Barber DeGraaf prepare to give speeches on their experiences with learning about themselves on a deeper level.
Emcee of the night Dr. Karen Dade is surprised with winning the Women of Color Empowerment Award for 2016. The award is presented to students, faculty and staff members who have shared their talents and stories with the community.
The Women of Color Empowerment Scholarship winner walks to the podium to receive her award.