The Performing Arts for Effective Civic Education will host the first women’s leadership and empowerment event at Eastern from 4 to 7 p.m. March 7 in 7th Street Underground.

Shamerea Richards, the president of PAECE, said the planning for the event started in August 2014.

“Women are segregated on campus, as far as leadership roles are concerned,” Richards said. “ Women don’t get to see other women in positions of power.”

Richards said women do not have as many opportunities for leadership positions on campus, and women do not have these types of role models to look up to.

This led to the creation of the event, called Women Who Wine and Dine: A Leadership & Empowerment Conference. This is an event to look at the leadership roles women on campus have had, both big and small.

Richards said the event will include lunch, a presentation on women’s history created by PAECE, spoken word, monologue, and a panel of women, all of whom are leaders or have held a leadership position.

Richards also said two keynote speakers will be at the event. One of the speakers is Maggie Burkhead, the director of Trio, and the second speaker will be Jeannie Ludlow, the coordinator of women’s studies.

The event is for women only. Richards said the event is aimed toward making women welcomed to voice their opinions without the presences of men in the audience.

Richards said the absences of men within the audience would let women feel more welcome and also allow them to connect as one.

“The event is to make the girls feel comfortable,” Richards said. “They are able to speak their minds.”

Tickets are available for $15 and women are asked to dress in business casual attire for the event and will also received gift bags at the event.

Luis Martinez can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].