As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I am reflecting on Simmons’ 125-year history of advancing women and gender equity by educating students to thrive in their professions, communities, and personal lives. We are so proud of the important role Simmons continues to play as the last remaining women-centered undergraduate institution in the City of Boston.
This past month I was honored to participate in many powerful events celebrating women and girls in Boston and around the country. These events featured rich conversations with a diverse group of leaders, including Simmons students, faculty, staff, and alumnae/i, along with higher education colleagues, elected officials, and nonprofit partners.
Among the events I had the opportunity to attend were five visits around the state of Florida to meet some of our talented alums, the annual Boston Area International Women’s Day Breakfast, the Gwen Ifill Forum, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Leading Women Awards, the AADC 2025 Women’s Conference, a Women’s History Month celebration at Washington University, SHRM Talent Nashville, the Simmons Leadership Conference, and a Presidential Panel and Tea. These events left me with some key takeaways:
- This year’s theme at the Boston Area International Women’s Day Breakfast, "Action in Unity,” reminds me of our collective responsibility to continue to lead with our values as we work to advance gender equity and support the most vulnerable in our communities. It was an honor to join Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other leaders who continue the important work of uplifting women and girls across the Commonwealth.
- My conversation with fellow Leading Women Awards honorees Christine Schuster and Grace Lee allowed me to reflect upon the impact of my own childhood – growing up as a Girl Scout and surrounded by a group of strong women. That village and its steadfast support encouraged me to be my best self and helped me become who I am today.
- The Ifill Forum, which honors Simmons alumna Gwen Ifill’s legacy as a trailblazing Black woman journalist, is an important reminder of the power of a Simmons education and its unique ability to offer a learning that links passion with purpose and everyday leadership. This year’s keynote speaker and Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award recipient, Dr. Sharon Malone, epitomizes the spirit of Gwen Ifill through her leadership in championing women’s health.
- During the SHRM Talent in Nashville, I joined SHRM CEO Tamala Oates-Forney, Workplace Allies CEO Brad Johnson, and Life Guides Senior Director of People Culture & Partnerships Mark Christensen and reflected on the different ways we can continue to optimize the talent pipeline by supporting women throughout their professional lives.
- While visiting Washington University, I was honored to present on Arriving and Thriving in the Academy and share insights into some of the components of effective leadership, including how we can continue to develop courage and resilience in ourselves and our teams.
- The Simmons Leadership Conference is a daylong event that fosters connection, community, and inspiration. This year’s theme, Leading Change, reflects Simmons’ founding mission of using education to advance social and economic equity. At Simmons, our goal is not only to prepare individuals to lead change in their professions and communities, but to thrive while doing so.
- I also had the opportunity to join Mount Holyoke President Danielle R. Holley and Smith President Sarah Willie-LeBreton for a Historically Women’s College Presidential Panel and Tea. This event, which was moderated by Simmons Alumna NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis, highlights the vital role of women-centered colleges and universities. It is a reminder that institutions like ours are uniquely suited to address some of our most persistent inequities — including the glass ceiling and broken rung phenomenon — because of our history and commitment to social justice and economic mobility.
As we celebrate Simmons’ 125th anniversary, I am reminded that this institution was founded for equality and it is built for now – for this critical moment. While the field of higher education is facing new challenges, we remain laser-focused on ensuring that the investment students make in their education puts them on the fast track to lifelong career growth and success.