Mason Working Moms Support Group

For over 20 years in partnership with Women and Gender Studies, Mason faculty, staff, and students are able to come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and advocate for change on campus. During the academic year, the group meets every other week in hybrid meetings or virtually on Teams. The group meets monthly during the summer.

These networking meetings are available to women interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers. Working mothers face unique issues, and coming together over lunch fits schedules and allows members to discuss their experiences in a friendly, nonjudgmental environment. Group members work full time or part-time, raise their children with a partner or alone, are the major breadwinners or sole benefit providers, and many are also working students.

Participation is open to anyone in the Mason community who is interested in sharing experiences with other women having common life-work interests. For more information, please contact Heather Aleknavage at haleknav@gmu.edu or (703) 993-1446.

~ Fall 2026 Meetings ~

12:00 – 1:00 pm (unless noted below)

Hybrid meetings: In-person- brown bag lunch and via Teams

Wednesday, September 9 – WGST Center, JC 240K
Tuesday, October 6 – HUB VIP 3
*Thursday, November 5 @11am – Einstein’s in Merten Hall*
Coffee Chat – No Teams!
Thursday, December 3 @ 11am – 2pm; In person only
*Parents’ Swap Meet at Fenwick Library*

Virtual Meetings via MS Teams

Thursday, September 24
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, November 17
Wednesday, December 16

For more information please contact Heather Aleknavage at haleknav@gmu.edu or (703) 993-1446
Join us on MS Teams!

Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason is
Sponsored by the Women and Gender Studies Center

Resources:

HR Life/Work Support Resources

Faculty Paid Parental Leave

Title IX - Pregnant and Parenting at Mason

Parenting and Expecting Students are supported in the Office of Contemporary Student Services.

Working Moms' Support Group in the News

Check out this podcast on the importance of campus partnerships in maintaining student wellbeing!

CHSS Distinguished Alumni - Staff

Working Moms Support Group Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

HEP Master's Student Profile: Heather Aleknavage

Working Mothers Group Seeks Bereavement Leave Benefit
While the outcome was not immediate, benefited employees now receive 16 hours of bereavement leave, which will be available one time per year. This leave will be renewed each year on January 10 for classified employees and on June 24 for faculty. More information is available HERE.

Everyday Hero: Heather Aleknavage

CAS Employee Organizes Working Mother's Support Group

*Contact Heather if you would like a copy of the 10th anniversary article, Working Moms Find Support at Mason, March 2013