Founded in 1970, the ASA Women’s Caucus is a solidarity network open to all. The Luncheon & Lecture is an annual celebration of community, open to every ASA Annual Meeting attendee. For the 50/55th Anniversary Celebration, we wish to underscore the inclusion of new and lapsed members, men and queer folks, and our most financially precarious colleagues.
Join the ASA Women’s Caucus to celebrate 50 (+5) years at the annual ASA Women’s Caucus Luncheon & Lecture. Tickets are now available online. Tickets are likely to sell out early so make sure to reserve yours in advance. Commemorative anniversary scarves are also available for pre-order in the form. If you have the means, please consider donating an open ticket so that students and other vulnerable members can join in this meal. Purchasing early supports accurate and responsible budgeting as well as improved communication with the catering staff. We thank you for your engagement and commitment to the Women’s Caucus.
About the 2025 Speaker
We are delighted to announce that the 2025 Women’s Caucus Luncheon speaker for the Women’s Caucus 50th Anniversary celebration is Dr. Nwando Achebe. As a longstanding part of the community, Dr. Achebe’s deep commitments to our organization are well known to members. She was the 2013 recipient of the Women’s Caucus Aidoo-Snyder Book Award for her book, The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: King Ahebi. She has served on the Steering committee, the Nominating Committee, the Onsite Committee, and the Advisory Board among others. She has supported the Women’s Caucus by becoming a Lifetime Member and continues to donate generously to our work. She served two terms as co-convenor of the Women’s Caucus (2013 – 2015, 2015 – 2017) during which time she was pivotal to the revitalization of the Women’s Caucus’ role in advocating for gender equity. Her work on bringing new voices into the organization is an extension of service she has provided to the academic profession more broadly. In various leadership roles at Michigan State, including as Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation, Dr. Achebe has launched and directed programs that increased the hiring, retention, and professional development of underrepresented scholars. As Founding Editor-in-Chief of the groundbreaking Journal of West African History, she has confronted systemic global inequities in knowledge production by prioritizing mentorship and access for Africa-based scholars. A scholar, a fighter, and a mentor to many, across the academy and beyond, we are proud that the incoming President of the African Studies Association, Dr. Nwando Achebe, will be delivering the Women’s Caucus Luncheon speech as part of the Women’s Caucus 50th Anniversary Celebration.
The ASA Women’s Caucus will also be celebrating with special sponsored sessions throughout the Annual Meeting. Luncheon attendees will also enjoy a special performance by Poet and Artist Shailja Patel, the presentation of the Aidoo-Snyder Book Award, and special remarks from Caucus leadership.
