Gender and Policy (GAP) Center

Programs and Events

Programs

NEW Leadership® Virginia

Events

Women’s History Month Reception Celebrating Women in Leadership and Education
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
6 to 9 p.m.
Tower Club, Tyson’s Corner
8000 Towers Crescent Drive #1700 Vienna, VA 22182

Join us for a special evening celebrating the incredible contributions of women in leadership and education. This exclusive reception honors the resilience and brilliance of women who have broken barriers and shaped society—from the boardroom to the classroom, entrepreneurs to policymakers.

Enjoy inspiring conversations with influential leaders, educators, and visionaries while savoring gourmet food and premium beverages, including a seafood bar, sushi, and signature cocktails. The evening will feature a lively atmosphere with a live DJ, curated cocktails, and a chance to connect with like-minded professionals.

Register for the Women’s History Month Reception


Kendra Scott GAP Fundraiser
Tysons Corner Center
May 3, 2025
1 to 4 p.m. ET in store


NEW Leadership® Virginia
June 8 – 13, 2025

NEW Leadership® Virginia is a non-partisan, six-day residential summer program that will take place from June 8 – 13, 2025 through the Gender and Policy (GAP) Center at George Mason University’s (GMU’s) Schar School of Policy and Government in Arlington, Virginia.


    Ratified: Panel Discussion and Documentary Film Screening
    Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus
    November 22, 2024
    Convened and moderated by Shea Holman, featuring Krysta Jones, APA; Michelle Kallen, former Solicitor General of Virginia; Ella Duncan-High, Young Feminist Party National Organizing Director


    Pizza and Perspectives: A Conversation about the Equal Rights Amendment
    Mason Square Campus
    George Mason University
    March 19, 2024
    Convened and moderated by Bonnie Stabile, featuring Zakia Thomas, ERA Coalition; Ellie Smeal, Feminst Majority Foundation; Meghan Kissell, AAUW; Shea Holman, Purple Method;


    Expert Voices on the ERA
    HUB Ballroom, Fairfax Campus
    George Mason University
    February 22, 2024
    Convened and moderated by Bonnie Stabile, featuring Eileen Davis, ERA Activist and Advocate; Ella Duncan-High, Generation Ratify; Amy Hinojosa; MANA, a National Latina Organization; Zakia Thomas, President and CEO, ERA Coalition; co-sponsored by Women and Gender Studies and the Gender and Policy Center


    Celebrating the First Woman Mayor of Fairfax City,
    home of George Mason University – Catherine Reed, ’84
    Drinks and Hors D’Oeuvres
    September 29, 2023
    5:00 – 7:00 pm
    Merten Hall 1201


    Kendra Scott GAP Fundraiser
    Tysons Corner Center
    September 23, 2023
    3:00 – 6:00 pm ET in store
    or shop online all weekend using code GIVEBACK – EQIAW


    “Pregnant Girl” Book Talk and Policy Discussion with Author Nicole Lynn Lewis
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    March 8, 2023
    6:00 – 7:00 pm ET


    Can Iranian Women Change the World? Revolution, Reconciliation and Reclamation and opening for accompanying art exhibit: Iran Rising: Protest Art
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    February 16, 2023
    6:00 – 7:15 pm ET
    Can Iranian Women Change the World? Video link of panel
    Can Iranian Women Change the World? Panelist interviews and art exhibit video
    Videos of panel and interviews by Nosrat Tarighi, DC Multimedia Productions


    Mind the GAP and Promote the Vote
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    April 6, 2022
    6:00 – 7:00 pm ET
    Mind the GAP and Promote the Vote video


    Are Abortion Rights Essential to Democracy?
    Co-Sponsored by Ms. Magazine and the Schar School of Policy and Government
    January 21, 2022
    1:00 – 2:00 pm ET
    Are Abortion Rights Essential to Democracy video


    Criminal Justice Reform in the Commonwealth and Beyond
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    December 2, 2021
    Noon – 1:00 pm ET
    Criminal Justice Reform in the Commonwealth and Beyond video


    Today’s Workforce and the Way Ahead
    Sponsored by LMI with the Schar Gender and Policy Center
    September 28, 2021
    Noon – 1:00 pm ET
    Today’s Workforce and the Way Ahead video (password: LMI2021)


    Data Feminism and Algorithmic Accountability: Lessons for Policy
    Schar School of Policy and Government Webinar
    April 8, 2021
    Noon – 1:00 pm ET
    Data Feminism and Algorithmic Accountability video link


    Solving the Student Loan Crisis: Beyond Debt Relief
    Schar School of Policy and Government Webinar
    Sponsored by IBM
    March 15, 2021
    Noon – 1:00 pm ET
    Solving the Student Loan Crisis video


    Women Seeking Refuge: Displacement and Protection in 2021 
    Schar School of Policy and Government Webinar
    December 1, 2020
    Noon – 1:00 pm ET
    Women Seeking Refuge video


    The Suffragist Playbook: Your Guide to Changing the World 
    Book Talk with Authors Linda Robb and Rebecca Boggs Roberts
    Schar School of Policy and Government Webinar
    October 15, 2020
    Noon – 1:00pm EST
    The Suffragist Playbook video


    Unraveling Unconscious Bias
    Schar School of Policy and Government Webinar
    in collaboration with AcademyWomen
    September 17, 2020
    Noon – 3:00 pm EST
    Video links: Unraveling Unconscious Bias Panel 1 and Unraveling Unconscious Bias Panel 2


    Reckoning with Racial Disparities in Access to the Vote on the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage: 5th Annual Tolchin Symposium
    Schar School of Policy and Government Webinar
    August 26, 2020
    Noon – 1:30 pm EST
    5th Annual Tolchin Symposium George Mason News article and video


    Gender, Power and Language
    GAP Director Bonnie Stabile joins Encore Learning Webinar panel
    July 13, 2020
    3:00 – 4:30 pm EST
    Gender, Power and Language video


    Domestic Violence During the Covid-19 Pandemic
    July 15, 2020
    12:30 – 1:45 pm EST
    Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic George Mason News article and video


    Aim High Book Talk with the Honorable Deborah Lee James,
    23rd Secretary of the United States Air Force
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    Van Meter Hall Auditorium
    January 30, 2020
    6:30 pm
    Aim High Book Talk George Mason News article


    Glass Houses and Glass Ceilings: Congressional Ethics in the #MeToo Era
    Fourth Annual Tolchin Symposium
    Glass Houses Highlight Reel
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    October 3, 2019
    6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Van Metre Hall


    Can Women Save Democracy? Women Political Leaders in the time of Trump and #MeToo
    Panel on Gender Equity and Inclusion honoring the memory of Martha V. Pennino
    February 27, 2019
    6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Hall


    Schar School Alumni Gala
    Thursday, May 10, 2018
    6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Hall
    Awarding of Inaugural Schar School Gender and Policy Leadership Awards


    Woman Leaders Luncheon
    Thursday March 22, 2018
    11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
    George Mason University, Fairfax Campus, George’s


    Workshop in Women’s Health in Global Perspective
    March 7, 2018
    9:00 am – 4:45 pm
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Hall
    2016 Workshop in Women’s Health in Global Perspective video


    Dismantling America: Environmental Implications of the Rush to Deregulate
    Third Annual Tolchin Symposium
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    September 27, 2018
    4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Van Metre Hall
    Tolchin Symposium on Environmental Deregulation 2018


    Women’s Leadership Conference
    November 3, 2017
    10:00 am- 2:30 pm
    George Mason University, Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Mix Space
    GMU Women’s Leadership Conference 2017
    GMU Women’s Leadership Conference – November 3rd, 2017


    The 2017 Tolchin Symposium: “Clout: WomanPower and Politics”
    In honor of the incredible life and legacy of Susan Tolchin
    Tuesday, October 17, 2017
    4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Auditorium
    Video: Tolchin Symposium


    IGNITE Mobilization Event
    September 19, 2017
    6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Hall
    An event encouraging the next generation of women to run for office
    featuring local elected women with a diversity of perspectives.


    Voter Anger
    First Annual Tolchin Symposium
    Schar School of Policy and Government
    October 18, 2016
    4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Hall


    Workshop on Women’s Health in Global Perspective
    March 3, 2016
    9:00 am – 4:45 pm
    George Mason University, Arlington Campus, Founders Hall
    2016 Workshop on Women’s Health in Global Perspective video