The University at Albany proudly endorses the promotion and equal opportunity endeavors of women. One of the ways in which this is accomplished is through the efforts (goals) of our Initiatives For Women program, designed to enhance the educational and career advancement for women.
IFW meeting 1999
As a way to make a significant difference in the lives of women whose dreams need support, the University at Albany launched Initiatives For Women in 1993 to enrich and increase educational and career opportunities for women. Since its founding as the State Normal School of Albany in 1844, when five of the first 34 graduates were women, the University has continued to be an important resource for women. Many of the 19th century female graduates compiled remarkable records of accomplishment. They came to the Normal School to become teachers, and indeed, most of them became teachers, at least initially. Some of them went on to blaze trails in medicine and law, found colleges and seminaries; and rise to other prominent positions in education.
The University at Albany continues to make great strides in promoting equal opportunity for women. Initiatives for Women is an innovative, award-winning program that further enhances the educational and career choices available to women students, faculty, and staff, and assists all University women in realizing their full potential.
This innovative program raises funds and distributes competitive awards to worthy individuals and programs annually. IFW is unique in that it meets needs that are not normally addressed by other funding programs and to date (2001) has given over $130,000 in competitive awards to 207 women at the University.
Opportunities for support include, but are not limited to, annual and endowed awards for: scholarships, loans, fellowships; internships and training programs; course registration, textbook, and childcare costs; career planning and advisement costs; opportunities for women with disabilities and for women of color; research on women's issues; and women's safety issues.
