Women's History Month

In November of last year, Alyshia Dyer became the first woman to win election to the office of Washtenaw County Sheriff. She took over in January of this year and is now a few months into the first year of her first term. WEMU's David Fair talked with Sheriff Dyer about her career in law enforcement, the women that helped shape her life and career and her ambitions for breaking more glass ceilings and opening more doors for the young women to follow.

Washtenaw Community College President Rose Bellanca has been named as the United Way of Southeastern Michigan's "Power of the Purse Woman of the Year." She will be formally feted at a ceremony in April. As we mark Women's History Month, WEMU's David Fair talked with Dr. Bellanca about the challenges for women in higher education and how her story can pave the way for the workforce of the future.

Women played a vital role in ensuring the survival of early pioneers who settled in what would become Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more as part of Women’s History Month.

Eastern Michigan University had a celebration Friday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its Women's and Gender Studies program. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Women are earning more roles in leadership positions than ever before. But we are still without equal access and opportunity. As we wrap up our Women’s History Month series on "Washtenaw United," we explore the challenges of winning and building more leadership roles for women. WEMU's David Fair talks with the President and CEO of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Dr. Darienne Hudson shares her journey to leadership as a Black woman and what hurdles she’s working to help others overcome.

Depending on career path or job choice, women are still playing catch-up in the American workforce. The inequity is not just in job-to-job comparisons but also in access to employment opportunity. Creating that opportunity is what the organization “Dress for Success Michigan" is all about. WEMU's David Fair talks with its communications liaison, Alexy Rudolph, about how futures are being changed to reverse historical inequities.

March is Women’s History Month, and each week on "Washtenaw United," we’ll bring you a different story highlighting the amazing accomplishments and progress being led by women and organizations in our community. This week, WEMU's David Fair talks with Alfreda Rooks. She is director of community health at Michigan Medicine and is being honored as the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Washtenaw County Woman of the Year.

The Women Build Initiative aims to provide affordable homeownership opportunities for single parents. WEMU's Taylor Bowie reports.

For more than 100 years, the Girl Scouts has worked to help turn young girls into strong, productive women. March is Women’s History Month, and the evolution of the Girl Scouts as an institution continues. JoAnna Roach is adult education and enrichment director for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. She was a scout herself and now dedicates her professional life to working with girls and volunteers in what she calls “the best job in the world.” JoAnna joined WEMU's David Fair as the first guest on a month-long Women’s History Month series on "Washtenaw United."

Historically speaking, women have been undervalued and have lacked equal opportunity and pay. As we mark Women's History Month, we explore the importance of being financially literate and articulate as the quest for equity and equality continue. Melissa Joy from Pearl Planning, in Dexter, joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss running a woman-owned business and helping prepare a generation of women for their financial futures.