The Women Who Move Us builds on the success of Women Defining Themselves (May 2024), continuing a powerful exploration of how movement and music illuminate the stories that shape us. This evening’s performance honors the inspiring women who have carried us, guided us, and left lasting impressions on our lives, including mothers, mentors, daughters, and friends.

Through original choreography and soulful music, we celebrate the resilience, wisdom, and beauty of these women while deepening our understanding of the arts’ capacity to heal, connect, and inspire across generations. Reception to follow.

All proceeds from the evening will support the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine, advancing research for neurodegenerative diseases.

About Dance/Wellness faculty member Amy West’s mission:

"This project is grounded in lived experience. For seven years, my husband and I, along with help from caregivers, cared for my mother-in-law in our home as she slowly succumbed to dementia. Walking beside her during this time profoundly shaped my understanding of health, caregiving, and resilience, and reinforced the importance of connection across all stages of life. The Women Who Move Us is both a tribute to her memory and a collective gesture of love and advocacy for all families and caregivers navigating memory loss. It also reflects my commitment to honoring the legacies of the women who came before us while supporting the health and well-being of those who carry them forward. The project will extend its reach through collaboration with the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine, linking the performing arts with medical research and care. By bringing together performance and science, this partnership reflects the shared humanity at the core of both disciplines: the desire to honor, heal, and sustain life."