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Event Series Event Series: Women’s Week

Women’s Week Keynote: Autumn Rose Williams

Women’s Week Keynote: Autumn Rose Williams


March 21 @ 12:00 pm 1:00 pm MDT

200 Central Campus Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
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Event Audience:

This event is open to everyone

Event Organizer:

illustrations of women doing various activities: protesting, mentoring, crocheting, and playing with a child. Untold Stories and Everyday Heroism, Women's Week, March 18-22, 2024

This year’s University of Utah Women’s Week theme, “Untold Stories and Everyday Heroism,” will highlight the contributions of individuals who have worked largely out of the spotlight while providing critical advancement toward community progress. Women have consistently demonstrated an unwavering spirit, from the unsung heroines who toiled in the shadows of history to the contemporary trailblazers breaking barriers in every field. With a focus on day-to-day achievements–both personal and professional–contributing to society, Women’s Week 2024 will highlight daily acts of heroism and motivate attendees to engage, break barriers, and foster a sense of importance in every individual’s role. It is time to unveil the richness of these narratives and acknowledge the everyday heroism that has often gone unnoticed but has undeniably shaped our world.

This is a hybrid event; folx can attend this event in person at the Union or watch a livestream. ASL interpretation will be provided and auto-captions will be available. All requests for event access support and other questions or concerns may be directed to edi-events@utah.edu.

Women’s Week 2024 is sponsored by Hip & Humble. The Week is organized in partnership with various campus and community organizations across the University of Utah and Salt Lake City.

Autumn Rose Williams sits and holds her jacket open from her torso

Autumn Rose Williams


Miss Native American USA, Activist, Model

Autumn Rose Miskweminanocauq (Raspberry Star Woman) Williams was born and raised on the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, New York. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a Minor in Business. Being immersed in her culture from birth has given her pride in her Black and Indigenous heritage that is the foundation for the work she does today.

When Williams was crowned Miss Teen Shinnecock at the age of 16, it allowed her the opportunity to travel across the United States and learn about the indigenous experience outside of her Shinnecock community. Following college, she was crowned Miss Native American USA 2017/2018 and began yet another journey to learn more about her people. Being Miss Teen Shinnecock, attending college, and being Miss Native American USA were important growing periods of her life that allowed her to learn about the world and people around her as well as look within. After completing her reign as Miss Native American USA, Williams was signed to STATE Management as a plus-size model.  Plus size modeling is a way Autumn Rose faces her body image issues head-on and continues her message of self-love and empowerment!

​Williams utilized her skillset in her communications career to advocate for accurate representation and inclusivity of Indigenous communities. Williams worked for her tribe, the Shinnecock Nation, as a Communications Manager to ensure her community was up to date with tribal politics, events and news. She has worked with the Administration for Native Americans to support Indigenous language preservation and revitalization within the lower 48, Alaska, and across the Pacific Region, including Hawaii, American Sāmoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Williams has worked with ICF Next as a Multicultural Communications Specialist where she supported the organization in understanding Indigenous communities and building healthy relationships. 

With 14 years of public speaking, and 6 years of Public Relations Williams continues to educate and bring awareness to the topics that are dear to her, such as Afro-Indigenous culture, social justice awareness, body positivity and mental health.