Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:
The Cal Women's Network exists to create a strong community of women* that supports collective learning and growth through social and professional opportunities.
*All who experience life through the lens of a woman in body, spirit, identity - past, present, future, and fluid.
How does your Staff Organization benefit UC Berkeley staff?
We cultivate and uplift a campus community where women are empowered to pursue and achieve their professional and personal goals.
How can UC Berkeley staff get involved with your Staff Organization?
Email us at calwomxn@berkeley.edu
Follow our Events Calendar (bCal)
Subscribe to our Newsletters
Join us on LinkedIn
In what kinds of events and/or outreach does your Staff Organization engage?
We host social and professional development events, including happy hours, coffee chats, career interviews and panel discussions, workshops on negotiation, self-branding, improving your LinkedIn presence, and brown bags on various topics (e.g., leadership, mentoring, parenting, wellness, financial management). During the pandemic we switched to an all virtual platform but in 2022 we began hosting in-person events as well and we look forward to continuing with both virtual and in-person events.
Additionally, CWN representatives sit on several campus-wide committees such as the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Womxn.
What’s the best part of being in this Staff Organization?
The wonderful community of women! Some of our most meaningful connections and mentorship opportunities have come from CWN – whether the goal has been to grow, give back, or a little of both!
Name one thing you learned by being part of this Staff Organization?
Amazing things happen when women come together and intentionally lift each other up.
What are your Staff Organization's current and future goals?
Our members are very active and our current focus is on messaging, advocating for, and developing events that are responsive to the interests and needs of Cal’s women professionals. Looking forward, we particularly want to strengthen our collaborations with other staff identity groups, continue to develop our Making Connections: Professional Development Peer-Networking Program and to continue to grow our capacity to empower and connect aspiring women leaders across campus.
Any Upcoming events?
We have a few events coming up in March.
On March 8th, to mark International Women's Day, join us for a tour to experience Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory, the first retrospective exhibition of leading Bay Area Latinx artist Amalia Mesa-Bains at BAMPFA. Earlier that day, we are hosting a photography event where members have been invited to take their professional headshots. We will have some nibbles and drinks for you to enjoy. Alongside, we will also have open discussion sessions by the hour starting at 10:00 am on these topics:
10:00 am – Why do we need more women in leadership?
11:00 am – What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
12:00 pm – What progress have you seen in gender equality in your life and work?
It will also be an opportunity to meet and connect with each other and with the steering committee chairs. Join in for one or all the events!
Sign-up for a slot to get a Headshot and attend the tour here.
Next, on Friday, March 24, we are holding a Women@Work panel. Working at a university means working with a broad range of jobs around campus. To help us branch out, learn more about different roles, and meet others in the UC Berkeley community, CWN is hosting a virtual panel to explore different jobs and career paths, by talking to the women who work at Cal.
We acknowledge the correlation between race, class, socio-economic status and the employment roles that we occupy as University employees. It is with intention that we uplift positionality, and the range of factors that contribute to who may fill what role. For this panel, we are aiming to highlight all types of roles from all around campus.
CWN recognizes that we are one community, understanding that no position is better than another, and valuing that none of us could do our jobs without every role being filled. You can find the details on our CWN Calendar
Subscribe to our newsletter to get more details on how to attend these and future events!