The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Women’s History Month Symposium, held on March 13, brought together over 200 women and allies to celebrate and learn. But the daylong event wasn’t just about professional development — it was a call to action. Through powerful conversations, personal reflection, and even laughter, keynote speakers Randi Braun and Gloria L. Blackwell challenged the event’s attendees to rethink how they show up for themselves and for each other. 

Hosted by the UMBrella Group: UMB Roundtable on Empowerment in Leadership and Leveraging Aspirations, the event featured breakout and wellness sessions in addition to the keynote activities, all centered around the theme: "Championing Change: The Role of Allies in Women’s Advancement."  Jennifer B. Litchman, MA, UMB’s senior vice president for external relations and founder and chair of UMBrella, reflected on that theme as she welcomed attendees to the event. “I love seeing so many women here to celebrate Women's History Month and to spend a day of energy and celebration and tribute to women who came before us,” she said. “Just the fact that you're all here today means you all do champion change, and that you are allies.” 

The morning kicked off with a keynote address from Randi Braun, chief executive officer and founder of the women’s leadership firm Something Major, who encouraged everyone present to reimagine leadership and longevity through self-care. 

Afternoon keynote speaker Gloria L. Blackwell, chief executive officer of the American Association of University Women, in conversation with Francis King Carey School of Law Dean Renée Hutchins Laurent.

“As we think about championing change, as we think about what it means to be an ally, I'm really hoping that we can start the conversation this morning about what it means to be an ally to ourselves,” Braun said. 

She went on to explore the barriers that prevent many women from prioritizing their own well-being. 

“There are five stories that even the highest performing women tell ourselves that hold us back,” Braun said, before challenging myths surrounding self-care, such as the belief that it is an indulgence or that women should be grateful for what they have rather than advocate for what they need. 

Her message: women must rewrite these narratives to embrace a more fulfilling, sustainable way of living. “Self-care is not a luxurious indulgence — it is a conduit to your performance,” she stressed. 

Braun also shared strategies for overcoming guilt and setting boundaries, emphasizing the importance of small but intentional self-care practices. “Think like a telemarketer,” she advised, describing a study by Ashely Whillans, PhD, a professor at Harvard Business School, which found that telemarketers who take small breaks are more productive, have higher satisfaction scores, and are more likely to stay in their roles. 

The afternoon keynote conversation featured Gloria L. Blackwell, chief executive officer of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), an organization that has advocated for gender equity for 142 years. Facilitated by Francis King Carey School of Law Dean Renée Hutchins Laurent, JD, the discussion delved into the evolving landscape of advocacy, the need for authenticity in allyship, and the importance of taking risks despite self-doubt. 

Blackwell emphasized that allyship requires mutual respect. “We have to come from a place where you are not looking at those who you feel you support as being someone who is less than you. We look at each other and we consider everyone to have the same potential,” she said. “It is really about how you can support each other.”  

She also encouraged women to be proactive in building networks and seeking mentorship. “You don’t need to know all the answers,” she said. “But you do need to be able to say, ‘I’m worthy of having a conversation with this person.’” 

Reflecting on her own experiences, Blackwell shared how taking on new challenges — even when she wasn’t sure she was ready — helped her grow as a leader. “Taking on that risk is something that I didn’t want to do, but ultimately it became a part of my career,” she noted. “Risks really helped to increase my level of confidence. It also gave me a sense of understanding that I really was enough. I really did have the skills.” 

For attendees like Ashley DeMaio, specialist for the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State and a member of the UMBrella Coaching Program’s Cohort 6, the symposium reinforced the value of shared experiences. She hailed the event as a forum for bringing the UMB community together to uplift one another. “The importance of these initiatives lies in the connection. I know I’m not the only one who has that desire to relate to others and to share experiences,” DeMaio said. “It fosters that sense of belonging.” 

In addition to thought-provoking discussions, the symposium featured morning breakout sessions designed to provide practical strategies for leadership and career advancement along with afternoon opportunities to focus on wellness. It concluded with a reception celebrating UMBrella's 10th anniversary. UMBrella also hosted a donation drive to help stock the kitchen shelves at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, a day resource center for women and children experiencing homelessness in Baltimore, with donations of nonperishable food items accepted on event day at SMC Campus Center.

The morning breakout sessions included: 

• “Build Your Network/Net Work: Taking Your Personal Brand into Your Hands," presented by Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing

• “Allyship: An Essential Component of Leadership," presented by Lisa Mebane, JD, managing director of Maryland Carey Law's Center for Dispute Resolution

• “Graceful Self-Promotion: An Essential Skill You Can Learn!," presented by Erin L. Guidice, MD, associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM)

• “Women’s Leadership Development and the Human-Centered Framework," presented by Karen Hopkins, PhD, MSW, professor and co-director of the Human-Centered Leadership in Health and Human Services Certificate Program at the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) and Megan Meyer, PhD, MS, associate professor and co-director of the Human-Centered Leadership in Health and Human Services Certificate Program at UMSSW

The afternoon Wellness Hour sessions included: 

• “Sound Bath Therapy: A Journey to Relaxation and Restoration," presented by Shabnam Khan, RN, a certified vibrational sound therapist, breathwork facilitator, and registered nurse, and Ton Liu, a transformational life coach, sound healer, and founder as Come As You Are

• “Values-Driven Boundaries: From Burnt Out to Lit Up, Reclaim Your Power," presented by MaryBeth Hyland, founder and chief visionary officer of SparkVision

The symposium also included the presentation of the 2025 UMBrella Awards, recognizing individuals who embody the organization’s mission: 

• Champion of the Year: Jenny Owens, ScD, MS, vice provost of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Provost

• Person of the Year – Leading the Way: Latoya Ludd, MBA, Business Operations Manager, Administration and Finance

• Person of the Year – On the Rise: Sarah Kattakuzhy, MD, MPH, associate professor, Department of Medicine, and associate director, Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine, UMSOM.