CWU to host annual Women of Law and Justice conference Tuesday

On Tuesday, October 22, the Central Washington University Department of Law and Justice will host its third annual Women of Law and Justice conference, in collaboration with the College of the Sciences.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the SURC Ballroom, 48 law and justice professionals from a variety of roles in the profession will host panels on subjects like law enforcement, legal services, mental health, social services, and more.

A full program is available online, and those interested but unable to attend in person can follow along virtually via Zoom.

This year’s event, which has almost doubled in size compared to last year, was coordinated by Assistant Professor Sara Toto. She sees the conference as an opportunity for students to see the true diversity of experience present in the field.

“This event will provide our students an opportunity to learn about, and celebrate, the unique experiences of women in law and justice, and inspire them to pursue careers in the field,” she said. “We hope to see the diversity of our student body reflected in our speaker lineup through ample representation of women from all walks of life.”

The event was originally conceived by Toto as a way to bring a female perspective to a traditionally male-dominated field.

“So much that is taught, whether in lectures or in textbooks, is the male perspective on criminal justice,” Toto said. “We hope that by putting on this annual event, we can open students up to a different perspective.”