Women’s Leadership Series

Women’s Leadership Series began with a series of workshops and trainings, but have also taken the form of a Book Club and celebration of International Women’s Day. The goal of these programs is to offer a space for discussion and exploration of the unique issues that arise when women take the lead. Programming is not limited to participants of a particular gender identity.

Women's Leadership Program

The Women's Leadership Program is a 6-week series in which participants will learn about, reflect on and develop self-advocacy and leadership skills. During this program, participants will explore what it means to be a woman in leadership and how their unique experiences shape their leadership framework. Participants will have the opportunity to build relationships within a small cohort and connect with women leaders across different fields.

After the 6 weeks have concluded, you will continue to have the opportunity to collaborate with this cohort throughout your remaining years in the college through a series of alumni events and networking sessions. We intend for this program to not only help you become a stronger leader but also make lasting friendships with a group of women that are truly empowered to make a difference in the world at large.

We will meet for 6 weekly sessions starting in Fall Quarter 2025. Please note that this is a commitment to your cohort and to yourself, attendance at all sessions is expected. 

Applications for the 2025-2026 series will open in September 2025.

Women's Leadership Program 2025 Application TImeline: 

• Application OPENS: September 2025
• Application CLOSES: early October 2025
• Application Decisions: mid October 2025
• Program Begins: late October 2025

If you have any questions about the Women's Leadership Program please contact cli-help@lists.uchicago.edu. 

Women's Leadership Book Club

Join us for our quarterly Women’s Leadership Book Club! Each quarter, we read and discuss a book that addresses issues pertaining to women’s leadership. The program is open to ALL members of the UChicago community, regardless of gender identity.

Spring 2026 Book Club Pick

Teeth in the Back of My Neck by Monika Radojevic

May 1, 2026 from 12:30 PM -2:00 PM in Reynolds Club, South Lounge. 

You can register to join the conversation here. 

Past Book Club Picks:

• 2025-2026
  • Fall 2025: Loud by Drew Afualo
  • Winter 2026: The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
• 2024-2025
  • Fall 2024: The Myth of Making It by Samhita Mukhopadhyay
  • Winter 2025: Feminism, Interrupted: Disrupting Power by Lola Olufemi
• 2023-2024
  • Fall 2023: Journal of a Black Queer Nurse by Britney Daniels
  • Winter 2024: The Likeability Trap by Alicia Menendez
  • Spring 2024: Miss Major Speaks:Conversations with a Black Trans Revolutionary by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and Toshio Meronek
  • Summer 2024: Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall
• 2022-2023
  • Fall 2022: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner 
  • Winter 2023: Off With Her Head: Three Thousand Years of Demonizing Women in Power by Eleanor Herman
  • Spring 2023: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
  • Summer 2023: All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews 
• 2021-2022
  • Fall 2021: Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Nikki Kendall
  • Winter 2022: Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
  • Spring 2022: Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab