When Camille Frey ’18 was on her Human Needs and Global Resources internship, she had a conversation with Dr. George Kalantzis, professor of theology. Camille voiced her concern that women in biblical and theological studies at Wheaton have few examples of BITH alumnae using their degrees.

That conversation sparked an idea for a conference exploring this issue. Five students—Hannah Hempstead M.A. ’19, Laura Howard ’19, Katherine Beech ’21, Eliza Stiles ’22, and Katherine Goodwin M.A. ’19—collaborated to develop the conference. During the event, they invited the College community to consider the question “Where are the women?” from two angles: Where are women who were theologically educated at Wheaton and where are women in churches, schools, and society?

The conference started in February with a chapel presentation from Dr. Amy Hughes M.A. ’08, Ph.D. ’13, and then alumnae and faculty presented or participated in moderated discussions on topics such as vocational discernment, leadership, relationships, sexuality, reconciliation, history, and theology.

The conference was supported by the School of Biblical and Theological Studies; the Office of the Provost; Opus; the Center for Vocation and Career; the Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies; the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement; and others.