---
title: "International Women's Day Celebration: Global Voices, Shared Strength"
description: "International Women's Day Celebration: Global Voices, Shared Strength"
image: https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/Image_059-Mar-19-2026-12-04-11-3918-PM.jpg
---

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# International Women's Day Celebration: Global Voices, Shared Strength

Posted by [Andy Cunningham](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/author/andy-cunningham) on March 18, 2026 at 3:45 PM

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President Donna Hodge welcomed faculty, staff and students at the International Women's Day Celebration: Global Voices, Shared Strength luncheon and panel discussion in the Falcon Pub. The event, hosted by the  [Office of International Education (OIE)](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/student-support/international-education) and International Advisory Committee, was a powerful conversation honoring the voices, leadership, and impact of international women in our community. The pane, featuring international women faculty, staff and students, shared their experiences and took questions about their experiences as a member of our international community. Panelists were: [Dr. Ana Mesquita-Emlinger](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/about/directory/ana-mesquita-emlinger), [Engineering Technology](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/academic-schools/school-business-and-technology/engineering-technology-department) (Brazil), [Dr. Hefei Qiu](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/about/directory/hefei-qiu), [Computer Science](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/academic-schools/school-business-and-technology/computer-science-department) (China), [Dr. Jescah Apamo-Gannon](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/about/directory/jescah-apamo-gannon), [School of Education](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/academic-schools/school-education) (Kenya/UK), Nelly Wadsworth, [International Education](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/student-support/international-education) (Philippines), Dana Gomez, MBA (Colombia), and [Lisa Lech](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/magazine/article/lech-finds-second-home), [Communications Media](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/academic-schools/school-arts-and-sciences/communications-media-department) (Germany).

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