Clark College has been involved with Women of Achievement (WOA) since its inception. In March 1985, Pat Watne, the Director of Women’s Programs at Clark College, organized a photography exhibit to recognize the outstanding contributions made by eight women in Southwest Washington. 

The project was held to commemorate National Women’s History Month, to recognize International Women’s Day, and to honor volunteer efforts and community leadership of women in Clark County. The women recognized in the photo exhibit were also celebrated at a tea. 

(Left to right) Pat Watne, former director of women's studies at Clark College, who established the Women of Achievement celebration; Clark College Interim President Bob Knight; and  Donna Roberge, former professor of sociology at Clark College, who established the scholarship fund for the Young Woman of Achievement Award.

Today, the Women of Achievement celebration is the largest event of its kind, honoring women in Southwest Washington.

Within four years of its inception, the event moved from the college to the Red Lion Inn at the Quay -- then, in 2006, to the Vancouver Hilton.  It has continued to sell out each year.

In 1991, YWCA Clark County joined with Clark College in sponsoring the Women of Achievement celebration.

As a co-sponsor of the Women of Achievement celebration, Clark College continues to provide leadership in areas including event planning, print materials (biographies, invitations and programs), and multimedia (photography, video). 

Women have played a key role at Clark College since its founding in 1933. Two women were members of the College’s original board of trustees and Clark’s first graduate was a woman, Frances Wilde. From that first year, women served on Clark’s faculty inspiring hope and possibility for young women students. The local junior college provided the opportunity for education beyond high school that might have otherwise been unavailable for these young women, or co-eds, as they were commonly called in the early years.

Today, 60% of the more than 12,600 students attending Clark College each quarter are women. They range in age from 16 to over 80 and all contribute to the campus and to our community. Clark College continues to collaborate with campus and community partners, such as the YWCA Clark County, to effectively serve its students.

The Student Affairs Office at Clark College provides academic advising and personal counseling for students, including the special needs of returning and current women students. This population includes single parents, survivors of domestic violence, teen parents, formerly incarcerated women, displaced homemakers, women returning to school after a long absence, and women seeking training and employment in non-traditional fields.

Clark College hosts the Southwest Washington Regional Displaced Homemaker Center (the first of its kind in Southwest Washington), which provides displaced homemaker classes, follow-up counseling and advising, and other support services for women transitioning into the workforce.

The college also addresses issues of importance to women through its Women’s Studies Department by offering academic courses that focus on women and their achievements. Each year, the college sponsors a daylong women’s conference that features keynote speakers and a series of workshops on topics relevant to women in today’s world.

As a co-sponsor of the event, Clark College continues to provide leadership provides writing, graphic and photography services for the Women of Achievement celebration brochures, programs, and honoree biographies.