Contents / Vol. 05 / Issue 05

The Women’s Advancement Initiative uniquely positions women for success through education and leadership programs; research and scholarship opportunities; and career connections and experiences— which open minds and open doors. This distinctive program is proud to continue and celebrate the legacy of Hartford College for Women, and is supported and sustained by a community of women and men who believe that advancing the potential of women is a personal and collective priority.

Managing Editor

Glandina Morris Lyga ’04

Contributing Writer

Theresa Sullivan Barger

Design

Lilly Pereira ’02

Editorial Assistance

Jonathan Easterbrook ’87, M’90

Nancy Simonds

Tyanna Stewart ’24

Photography

Megan Bainbridge ’23 Nicole Bedard

Gary Burns

Jane Centofante, UVA Facilities Management

Zandria Oliver ’22

Sophia Singer ’23

Amy Sommers Photography

University of Hartford Archives and Special Collections

Professional Staff

Amy Jaffe Barzach, Executive Director

Glandina Morris Lyga ’04, Director

Sara Cerruto M’18, Assistant Director

Hartford.edu/WomensAdvancement

Contact us:

200 Bloomfield Avenue, GSU327

West Hartford, CT 06117

womenadv@hartford.edu

Features

04 Finding Strength in the Celebration of Life

MJ Garcia-Brake ’25 celebrates life with the LEAD community.

08 Life After LEAD

Puja Bhardwaj ’16 shares her LEAD journey as a member of the first graduating class.

Departments

02 HCW FEATURE

08 LEAD ALUMNA PROFILE

10 DONOR PROFILE

12 DONOR REPORT

14 IMPACT

15 ANNUAL REWIND

16 HCW ALUMNA PROFILE

BOARD OFFICERS

Pearl Douglas, Chair

Judy Casperson, Treasurer

Karishma Pinto ’17, ’18, Secretary

Board of Directors

Tokunbo Akinbajo

Tricia Brunton

Caryn Christensen

Kelly Daly ’14

Moraima Gutierrez

Debbie Javit A’83 (HCW)

Barry Lastra

Karen Gibbs Orefice A’65 (HCW)

Dr. Katharine A. Owens

Debra Palmer ’82

Molly O’Shea Polk

Sabrina Streeter ’18

Bill Webster

FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

Lucille M. Nickerson

Pearl Douglas

Chair, The Women’s Advancement Initiative Board of Directors

Dear Alumnae, Parents, Friends, and Students,

It is time to celebrate. We celebrate our legacy and achievements of the past, while appreciating the present and empowering our future.

The past few years were full of uncertainty. While daily news stories, health crises, social injustices, and unsettling court rulings stifled women’s rights and made us feel defeated and disheartened, we learned to be grateful for small victories, embrace traditions, and celebrate milestones. The hope and joy we can collectively experience comes from the sense of belonging and community.

We celebrate Hartford College for Women and all its traditions that laid the foundation for The Women’s Advancement Initiative and inspired the launch of the LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program.

This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of LEAD. The LEAD program provides students with leadership and life skills training, resilience, opportunity, and wellness coaching, community engagement activities, and a network of mentors. It is so much more than a program in the academic sense—it is a supportive community.

Along their college journey, LEAD students have taught me how much a supportive environment can help anyone thrive. I have watched them walk across the bridge on campus, signifying the beginning of an amazing opportunity to discover themselves and evolve with confidence. I have witnessed them find the resources they need to complete college, pivot as needed, and develop personally and professionally.

Every time I meet with students, they share how much they appreciate mentorship and the opportunity to see themselves as leaders. They comment how fortunate they are because LEAD has had a positive impact on their lives. The truth is, the LEAD students have made a significant impact on my life. They remind me to say “yes” to opportunities. They demonstrate the beauty of giving yourself grace. They display potential and strength even on the toughest of days.

After their undergraduate journey ends, I watch them show off their LEAD graduation cords feeling a sense of accomplishment and excitement. Then, I read updates from alumnae who are now doctors, community leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, lawyers, counselors, artists, engineers, business professionals, and partners, in addition to being mothers and homeowners.

We celebrate you—our students, alumnae, staff, donors, and friends. Thank you, LEAD, for continuing to empower women in the Hartford College for Women tradition!

With appreciation, PEARL DOUGLAS, Chair, The Women’s Advancement Initiative Board of Directors