T HE
WO M E N ’ S
A DVA N C E M E N T
I N IT I AT I V E
/
U NI VE R SIT Y
OF
HARTFORD
/
2 021
2 021
CONTENTS / VOL. 04 / ISSUE 04
T HE
WO M E N ’ S
A DVA N C E M E N T
I N IT I AT I V E
/
U NI VE R SIT Y
OF
HARTFORD
/
F E ATU R ES
facebook.com/ womensadvancement
02 THE WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT INITIATIVE uniquely positions women for success through education and leadership programs, research and scholarship opportunities, and career connections and experiences that open minds and open doors. This distinctive program is built on the heritage 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.
Courage to Begin Again
Hartford College for Women alumnae embraced the Academic Express program for nontraditional students.
06
Resilience over Fear LEAD student Maddy Blinderman ’22 finds the confidence to persevere through challenges.
DE PA R TM EN TS
M A N AGIN G ED ITO R Glandina Morris ’04
0 4 L EA D STU DEN T P R O F IL E
CO NT R IBUT IN G WR IT ER Theresa Sullivan Barger
1 2 D O N OR R EP O RT
D ES IG N Lilly Pereira ’02
1 5 A N N UA L R E W IN D
1 0 D O N OR P R O F I LE
B OA R D OF F I CERS Pearl Douglas Chair Judy Casperson Treasurer Caryn Christensen Secretary B OA R D OF DI R EC TO RS Tokunbo Akinbajo Tricia Brunton Kelly Daly ’14 Debbie Javit A’83 (HCW) Barry Lastra Karen Gibbs Orefice A’65 (HCW) Debra Palmer ’82 Karishma Pinto ’17, ’18 Molly O’Shea Polk Sabrina Streeter ’18 Bill Webster FO U NDI N G B OA R D CH AI R Lucille M. Nickerson
1 4 I M PAC T 1 6 H CW A LUM N A P R O F I LE
A R T DI REC TIO N Paula Ribeiro E DI TO RIA L ASS ISTANC E Nancy Simonds Tyanna Stewart ’24 P H OTO G RAP H Y Nicole Bedard Defining Studios, Roger Castonguay Hartford College for Women Collection (ARCH). University of Hartford Archives and Special Collections Zandria Oliver Jonathan Olson Outside Perspectives, Inc. Rebecca Rose Fine Portraits Amy Sommers Photography Noah Zeitlin P RO F ESSI ON A L STAFF Amy Jaffe Barzach, Executive Director Glandina Morris ’04, Director Sara Cerruto M’18, Assistant Director H A RT F OR D.E DU/ WO M EN SA DVA NC EM EN T CO NTAC T U S : 200 Bloomfield Avenue, GSU327 West Hartford, CT 06117 womenadv@hartford.edu
DE AR ALUMN A E, PA R EN TS, FR IE NDS, A ND STUD ENTS, Life requires resilience. To me, resilience means demonstrating strength and adaptability in the midst of obstacles. Our students have done just that and represent a beacon of light in dark times. The past two years have been challenging, especially for our students. Data from our COVID-19 impact survey to LEAD students show a profound effect. The top areas of concern were their mental health, staying motivated, and feeling connected to others. Some students dealt with unemployment while others became caregivers for their households. However, they demonstrated resilience by transforming obstacles into opportunities. In May, the sixth cohort of LEAD students celebrated the end of their undergraduate journey and looked to the future with optimism. With a heart full of pride, I reflected on their four years of transformation and seeing them persevere despite a global pandemic, virtual learning challenges, a divided country, and reckoning with social injustice. Our students used a growth mindset to keep moving forward. In times of uncertainty, we learned to lean on one another, celebrate each milestone, and appreciate kindness. We reflected on the life of Penny Woodward. She welcomed our students into her home with her husband, Greg, at annual president’s receptions. She was our light of strength. I am proud of the empowering community we have built. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to enhance programming. Our board of directors, donors, and friends provide strategic direction, mentor our students, and give generously. We appreciate you. As we celebrate Amy Jaffe Barzach’s tenth year as executive director, I am grateful that she continues to lead our organization with determination and heart. The year 2021 also marks the 15th anniversary of The Women’s Advancement Initiative. We are a young but mighty organization—just like the acorn Mary Woolley planted in 1933 to launch what became Hartford College for Women, a legacy we are proud to celebrate and continue for today’s students. It is inspiring to see what we have accomplished together while recognizing that there are many more opportunities to pursue. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is to become better versions of ourselves, to enjoy the simple yet meaningful things in life, and to be a light for others. There is always room in the heart for more sharing, more laughter, more learning, and more growth. Resilience will help us all embrace challenges and live life with gratitude, intention, and courage. With appreciation, PE AR L D OU GLAS, Chair, The Women’s Advancement Initiative Board of Directors Proudly Continuing the Legacy of Hartford College for Women, womenadv@hartford.edu
Hartford College for Women photo featured in the 1978 Highlander yearbook.
02 / F E AT U R E
The Courage to Begin. Again. Hartford College for Women’s Academic Express program helped non-traditional students balance family, work, and school life.
Cover of pamphlet promoting Academic Express in 1977.
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
It is often said that the beginning of any new journey is the hardest part. For hundreds of Hartford College for Women (HCW) alumnae who participated in Academic Express, that statement is absolute and relatable. In the 1990s, many women were seeking to advance their career, transition from home life to the working world, or simply achieve their dreams of obtaining a college degree. However, there were significant obstacles that stood in their way. HCW challenged and supported its students, regardless of their age, academic experience, or family circumstances. These students needed more resources and the confidence to take the first step toward achieving their goals. “These amazing women had different life experiences, pressures, careers, and family life that they had to juggle,” says Annette Rogers, former director of admissions for the Academic Express program at HCW and current associate dean of academic services at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. In 1997, HCW launched Academic Express, an evening program for nontraditional students. Students took one or two courses every seven weeks for four hours per week and then went home to care for their families and complete classroom assignments. The average student participating in the program was 35 to 40 years old, and, prior to enrolling in the program, many were taking 10 years to earn their undergraduate degree. “It took a lot of resilience to hang in there for 10 years. Academic Express was a necessity,” Annette comments. “I could see the determination in their eyes when they entered my office. I sat down with each of them, reviewed their credits and came up with a plan—a map for their tomorrow. They needed to see that plan because it planted seeds in their minds of future possibilities.” Many students entered the program with some transfer credits but needed additional coursework to get promoted at work. Others needed financial assistance and tutoring. HCW provided the resources they needed to advance their personal and professional development. Annette explains, “The biggest challenge was their own courage. They needed to discover their strengths and believe they had the courage to begin again, even if they didn’t know it yet.”
F E AT U R E
For six years, the Academic Express program changed lives. The students built a community—a community of women who shared the common bond of being a non-traditional student with a mission of being impactful and successful in their lives and in their communities. “HCW had such a positive impact on my life in many ways,” shares Rosemarie Cristina, a 1997 graduate of HCW. “Before taking classes, math intimidated me. The HCW professors and classmates got me past the fear. I went on to have a career that involved math to a high degree. In fact, this year, I started my own business. That was not a possibility before HCW! It’s wonderful to see the University of Hartford carrying on that legacy of supporting women.” “It was a challenge going back to school in my late 30s,” says Maureen Evelyn, a 2003 graduate of HCW. “When I started, I had two young
children, full-time work, and wanted a program that was challenging, but one I could manage while juggling many priorities. HCW was the right fit, because I liked attending part-time evenings, with other strong, professional women who fed positivity and ‘best practices’ in both personal and professional ways. The knowledge I gained compelled me to continue my education and I have since earned my master’s degree in criminal justice.” Each women’s journey is unique. The HCW experience helped students navigate their journey by providing a supportive and diverse community designed to empower, instill confidence, and build courage. Maureen adds, “It’s not unusual for women to wear many hats at any given time, and Hartford College for Women taught me the elegance and professionalism to keep the balance, even in the most challenging times!”
/ 03
“It’s not unusual for women to wear many hats at any given time, and Hartford College for Women taught me the elegance and professionalism to keep the balance, even in the most challenging times!” —Maureen Evelyn ’03 (HCW)
Large photo: Group photo from 1977 Highlander yearbook. Lower right: Maureen Evelyn ’03, Hartford College for Women and Academic Express alumna.
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD / 2021
04 / LEAD PROFILE
A NG ELI C A SOTO ’22 MA J O R: MA RK ET IN G MO M, MIL I TA RY WI FE, STUDENT, LE ADH E R
Ready for Change
The Soto family: Marcus, Tom, Angelica, Aleanna, and Isaac. Not pictured: Thomas and Victor.
Eighteen years, ten moves, six colleges, two kids, one recession, and one global pandemic later, Angelica Soto continues to exude resilience as she discovers her strengths on her quest for change. She grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as the oldest of four siblings. Her dad knew very little English but completed the eighth grade in Puerto Rico. Her mom graduated from high school but did not know any English. Angelica says, “My parents always supported me even with limited resources. My mom helped me with math, time management, and organization skills because teaching those skills did not require knowing how to speak English.” She adds, “My dad always watched the History, Discovery, and Science
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
channels to teach himself things he missed out on in school. He is the smartest man I know.” Growing up in Bridgeport was challenging. Like many major inner cities, Bridgeport has impoverished communities. “I remember working hard to be an honors student in elementary school. But education couldn’t shelter me from the world outside my front door. Friends were shot, killed, or arrested,” she comments. Angelica knew there had to be more to life. After high school, she attended Gibbs College for fashion design. She took the train to school every day from her new home in Stratford. Sadly, after eight months, she left Gibbs. As a first-generation college student, she needed more guidance.
In 2004, she landed what she considered her first “real job” in medical records and accounting for a cardiology group. “I wanted to fit in, so I imitated the speech of my co-workers because I was too embarrassed to be myself, a young Latina woman,” she explains. “No one in my family had an office job. I thought I had made it and became comfortable not striving for more. I did not appreciate that my roots made me the person I am today.” That mindset changed when she met her husband, Tom. He was in the U.S. Navy and constantly encouraged her to live life more fully. After meeting in 2006, they married nine months later. Their family of five (Tom already had three children) quickly expanded to seven when they had two more children.
LEAD PROFILE
“During those early years of motherhood, we moved a lot, but it allowed me to see life outside of the inner city. I was determined to do more for myself and my family,” Angelica states. In 2008, she enrolled at Housatonic Community College, the second of six schools that would shape her experiences as a mother, military wife, and firstgeneration college student. Each role came with, and still has, its unique challenges. It was difficult for her to find a stable job because her résumé was full of different cities, schools, and gaps in dates of employment. Being a mom comes naturally at home, but some days seem harder when her youngest child says, “Come play with me, Mom,” or “You study too much; you need to take a break.” Angelica says, “I have to push through those days to find balance, but my family is there cheering me on.” In 2020, she enrolled at the University of Hartford. “Now, I am in a classroom with 18- to 21 year-olds. In the beginning, I felt alone. I was desperate to find people my age and build relationships,” she recalls. Celia Lofink, instructor of management and director of undergraduate programs at the Barney School of Business, provided her with resources. Then, Angelica received an invitation to apply to the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program. LEAD seemed like the community she needed. Angelica enjoys LEAD sessions that help enhance her personal and professional development, and she has built a friendship with another LEAD student, Elena Hynes ’21. “Elena was energetic, positive, and confident. I looked at her and thought that I could stand tall and break away from my insecurities,” she shares. “If I were to advise others looking to start or finish school, I would say, “Do it. Find programs like LEAD that empower you. Take one class at a time, make friends, ask questions, but never sit back and wait for things to come to you.”
Outside of school and home, Angelica immerses herself in networking events, listens to podcasts, and attends workshops. One night, after a workshop, she met Elizabeth Barry. Angelica mentioned that she purposely does not wear hoop earrings, especially in business settings as a Latina woman. Elizabeth looked at her and said, “We need more people like you at the table. Wear those hoop earrings proudly and never be embarrassed about who you are.” Angelica says she’ll never forget that meaningful reminder. She recently completed an internship as a talent acquisition sourcing intern at WarnerMedia. She hopes to use her marketing degree to find a career in workforce strategies and community impact. In addition, she wants to offer programs that connect families in the inner city with resources to attend and navigate college, stop cycles of poverty, and encourage entrepreneurship. Angelica says, “Change is hard, but it is in those challenging moments that you build resilience. My family and my community are my motivations. I find additional motivation from other empowering women, fabulous hoop earrings, and my desire for change.”
/ 05
EM POWER TH E F UTURE
The LEAD Endowed Fund Dear Friends, In 2006, what is now known as The Women’s Advancement Initiative was established to carry on the legacy of Hartford College for Women (HCW). It has succeeded in ways we never imagined. One notable success was the launch of the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program in 2012. LEAD offers women students the opportunity to participate in a community that is challenging, supportive, and inclusive. It is modeled after the finest elements of the HCW experience and it profoundly impacts its participants, teaching them important life skills and the power of possibility. As the founding board chair, I have dedicated myself to designing and ensuring the success of its programs. Now I want to guarantee that there is funding to sustain these programs, especially LEAD, into the future. To that end, my husband, Ralph Zegarelli, and I have become the inaugural donors to the LEAD Endowed Fund, a fund that will sustain LEAD for years to come. We are delighted that others are also contributing and it is our hope that the fund will grow significantly over the next few years. If you share my passion for LEAD, please consider making a gift to the LEAD Endowed Fund in addition to your annual gift. Your gift will help to ensure that the legacy of HCW is continued in the programs and opportunities made available through LEAD. If you need more encouragement, continue to read the stories about LEAD students in this magazine. Thank you for your consideration. LEAD ON! Sincerely yours, Lucille M. Nickerson For more information and to make your gift to the LEAD Endowed Fund, please contact Samantha Goemans at 860.768.2448 or sgoemans@hartford.edu.
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD / 2021
6 / FI EMAPTAUCRTE / C U R R E N T
PROGRAMS
Maddy Blinderman ’22 perseveres through challenges with support from The Women’s Advancement Initiative and the LEAD community.
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
F E AT U R E
/ 07
Resilience over Fear
Maddy is grateful for the support and encouragement she receives from her LEAD family. It has made her personal journey empowering and rewarding.
During her sophomore year of high school, she was diagnosed with social anxiety and panic disorders. Her therapist at the time was very helpful, but Maddy needed more intensive support, which she received over the next few years. She planned to attend college and even went to orientation but left early. Before she began her education at the University of Hartford, she deferred her first semester to attend an intensive outpatient treatment program for her anxiety. One step in her “exposure” therapy meant experiencing, in small doses, the things that made her anxious. She spent one night on campus in a friend’s dorm, facing her fears and surviving. When she started her first semester in the spring of 2018, she suffered many panic attacks and went home to Westchester, New York, every weekend. But, with
support from her parents and twin sister, and her desire for an education, she pushed through her fears and persevered. Maddy attended the Summer Bridge program at the University’s Hillyer College. It was there that she learned she had been accepted into the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program. The program provides leadership development, resilience coaching, and career readiness training to undergraduate students. As someone who had overcome so much anxiety and fear to attend college and live on campus, she felt like she had something to offer the program participants. Since being accepted into LEAD, she has gained a supportive network of women and learned to say “yes” to opportunities. Simultaneously, she’s discovered that it’s okay, when
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD / 2021
she’s having a rough day, to reschedule something. She has an internal need for perfection. The fear of falling short could sometimes paralyze her or cause a panic attack. Thanks to her peers, mentors, and the lessons learned through LEAD, she says, she’s learned that it’s okay to take breaks and “I don’t have to get everything done in one day.” Maddy has also found her strength is her passion for helping others, and that her sensitivity makes her empathetic. She initially planned to become a teacher, but discovered her calling to serve and support others as a therapist during her first psychology class. When students were sent home in March 2020 because of the pandemic, Maddy and her LEAD peers connected via Zoom to discuss how they were handling the isolation. She saw that her friends were also struggling with distance learning and offered to meet one-on-one in a video chat any time. “I’m really passionate about helping people and being there for someone while they go through something difficult,” she comments.
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
Those biweekly Zoom LEAD meetings “really helped me through the quarantine,” Maddy explains. “I enjoyed listening to my cohort members’ thoughts. When I shared, everyone validated me. That made me feel so good.” While she felt her high school peers didn’t understand her anxiety or accept her, the women in LEAD are supportive of one another. “It was a relief to be able to open up and be accepted without judgement,” she says. “They’re great women.” Before she started college, she had been terrified of staying on campus overnight with a friend, and, later, felt it was “just an amazing accomplishment” when she completed her first semester, which she did as a part-time student. If someone had told her that eventually she would speak in front of an audience at a LEAD event that included the University president, she would not have thought it possible. At the president’s reception before an audience of 40 people, she talked about how LEAD helped her through her first semester as a full-time student. “My
cohort supported me,” she told the audience, and she hoped others could learn to push through their fears. “It was an experience I will never forget.” During her first year in LEAD, her mentor, Ashley DeFreitas ’20, helped get her through multiple challenges. For someone with severe anxiety, sometimes even little things can become overwhelming. “Ashley was there for me and we would frequently have check-in dinners together,” Maddy recalls. When she became a sophomore, it was Maddy’s turn to mentor a younger student in the LEAD program and she discovered an inner strength and confidence. “Four years ago, I would not have been comfortable with mentoring a first-year student,” she says. “I feel like LEAD has helped me come a long way.” Just because she has reached these milestones doesn’t mean she doesn’t still face debilitating anxiety in college, she shares. But she has learned that even in the face of a panic attack, she can power through and survive it. For example, one day recently she was having a really bad panic attack.
F E AT U R E / 0 9
“I’ve learned to be more resilient through LEAD. I’m now comfortable with being uncomfortable.” She called Amy Jaffe Barzach, executive director of The Women’s Advancement Initiative, and asked, “Can I come to the LEAD office?” It was 5 p.m. but Amy sat with her for two hours until she felt better. “Then she drove me home to my apartment. I felt guilty, but Amy said, ‘Maddy, you would do the same for someone else.’” In the fall of 2020, when she returned to campus during the pandemic, Maddy was so anxious about the possibility of having to quarantine alone because of exposure to COVID-19 that she wasn’t eating and was losing weight. She texted a LEAD staff member, and they video-chatted together to help break down her feelings. When asked what she was feeling anxious about, Maddy explained that she lived alone in her apartment and feared that she’d have to isolate herself from others, and she needs to interact with people to be able to function. The questions she was asked without judgment helped her determine what she could control and helped her push through her anxiety. With all this support, Maddy has enjoyed an active college experience. She’s involved with the campus’s Hillel community and enjoys indoor cycling. After she graduates, she plans to begin graduate school in the fall of 2022 to get a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Before starting college, “I was broken. I did not start school on time and had to take a gap semester. I cried every morning before I went to work, had frequent panic attacks, and was depressed.
I came home and went back to bed. My parents didn’t know what to do but tried to support me as best as they could,” she explains. Now, she has lived through a global pandemic while completing her undergraduate education. If the pandemic had struck four years ago, she says, “I wouldn’t be handling it with the skills and capabilities that I have now. I think resilience doesn’t always mean pushing through the uncomfortable parts of life and succeeding. It means learning when to take a step back, give yourself some time, and then go back to the task. It’s not all about the success but about how you get back up after taking the time you need to rest.” “My experiences have taught me that if I keep going on an ‘empty tank’ it will cause more burnout. I’ve learned to say to myself, ‘Okay. You’re not dying. It might feel like you are.’ I don’t like giving up on things,” she says. “I’ve learned to be more resilient through LEAD. I’m now comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Facing page: Maddy (far right) with her twin sister, Katie, and parents, Marj and Adam. Right: Maddy with her LEAD mentor, Ashley DeFreitas ’20.
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsor a LEAD Student Program Gifts to the LEAD program provide unique educational opportunities for young women to experience a lifechanging professional development and personal enrichment program. For a donation of $2,000, you can sponsor a student’s participation in this transformative program for a year. Your LEAD student sponsorship: • Provides 13 annual interactive leadership training and practical life-skills workshops. • Connects your student(s) to a network of peers and mentors who inspire them to pursue opportunities and persevere through challenges. • Creates an opportunity for your student(s) to attend professional conferences and a leadership retreat. • Helps your student(s) secure transportation to internships and interviews, and participate in community service trips. Donations of all sizes are welcomed and appreciated. You can impact a young woman’s life in a meaningful and powerful way. If you are interested in sponsoring a LEAD student, please contact Amy Jaffe Barzach at 860.768.5471 or barzach@hartford.edu.
10 / DONOR PROFILE
G IV I NG BAC K B OBBI M C N EI L ’94
A Legacy of Care
“I give to The Women’s Advancement Initiative and the LEAD program because their programming builds resilience. I can see my dollars make a direct impact on these young women’s lives. The organization gives them the tools they need to better themselves, recover from setbacks, and flourish.”
Bobbi McNeil’s charismatic smile, kind personality, and gregarious spirit can light up any room. Although retired from her comprehensive career in radiology, she continues to live each day with a renewed sense of energy. Born in Florida, Bobbi moved to East Granby, Connecticut, when she was four years old. But in those brief four years, she developed a desire to learn from her grandfather, who was a teacher. During the winters of third and fourth grade, she traveled to Florida with her
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
parents. Those two winters attending a segregated elementary school were challenging because she was learning higher levels of mathematics, reading, and writing. When she returned to East Granby, she was noticeably ahead of the students in her class. At a young age, Bobbi’s parents and grandparents instilled confidence in her and made sure she had what she needed to flourish. She soon developed a love for helping others and decided to pursue a career in the medical field.
After high school, she was accepted into the nursing program at New Britain General Hospital’s School of Nursing but soon realized that nursing was not what she wanted to pursue. She then went on to attend Hartford Hospital’s School of Radiography, where she obtained a diploma so she could take the national examination for radiologic technologists. She passed the exam. After working in the field of radiology for many years, Bobbi saw that Middlesex Community College started a degree program for registered technologists. With a mindset of professional growth, she continued to work as she completed the program with dean’s list honors and an associate’s degree in radiology. Her passion for learning, leadership, and care led to a medical career that spanned more than 50 years. After moving back to Simsbury, Bobbi started working at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was promoted from a diagnostic technologist to supervisor of interventional radiology. She spent 25 years at Mount Sinai Hospital. While advancing her career, she also made advancing her education a priority. In 1989, she started taking essential management classes. In 1998, she began working at Hartford Hospital as the unit leader of interventional radiology. This was made possible because of the bachelor’s degree she earned from the University of Hartford. “I made the most of my time as an adult learner. I studied hard, applied what I learned at work each day, and got up every morning with a positive attitude,” she states. “I made it a point to fit in and had the confidence to try to be the best person I could be no matter what room I was in—the classroom, a patient’s room, or a conference room.”
DONOR PROFILE
Bobbi’s confidence, belief in education, and willingness to help others led her to serve on the Alumni Board at the University of Hartford. “I believed in the University’s mission and values,” she comments. She worked her way up to become president of the Alumni Board. Then, she was invited to serve on the University’s Board of Regents. For 19 years, she said “yes” to opportunities while serving on the board. She was a member of three committees and also joined the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions advisory board in its inaugural year. “It was wonderful to see the University thrive and yet I knew I could still do more to serve others,” she says. Coincidentally, a few months later, Lucille Nickerson, founding board chair of The Women’s Advancement Initiative, invited Bobbi to serve on the organization’s board of directors. Without hesitation, she said “yes” and served on the board for three years. “I attended events and participated in a leadership panel. I recall thinking at each event that I saw myself in these remarkable young women,” she shares. “One evening, I met Karishma Pinto ’17. She was very shy and reserved, yet inquisitive. I became Karishma’s mentor when she was a student regent and worked with other Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) students in the first graduating class.” “Looking back, I will never forget their presence. That is the beauty of the LEAD program,” she explains. “You see their potential and their need for someone to tell them it’ll be okay. Then, you give them the confidence to realize they can do it and fulfill their goals.” Bobbi’s legacy of care and philanthropy has helped many students thrive during difficult times. She
Ways to Give GIVE ONLINE Scan the QR code at bottom right or “Make a Gift” at hartford.edu/ womensadvancement MAIL A GIFT Send a check in the enclosed envelope. SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND Unrestricted annual gifts provide essential support for daily operations of The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s programs, including LEAD, Dorothy Goodwin Scholars, and Laura Johnson Leaders. DONATE TO THE LEAD PROGRAM The LEAD program was launched in 2012 to provide young women with unique educational opportunities through a life-changing professional and personal enrichment program. The program serves 100+ students annually. See page 9 for information on how your gift directly impacts today’s students. CONSIDER A MAJOR GIFT To discuss major gifts or alternative options—including directing a gift from a donor-advised fund, retirement assets, or real estate—please contact Samantha Goemans at 860.768.2448 or sgoemans@hartford.edu. GIVE TO THE HCW LEGACY FUND Gifts to the Hartford College for Women (HCW) Legacy Fund support The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s programs for today’s women, and HCW reunions and events. DONATE YOUR TIME: MENTOR A STUDENT There is nothing more energizing than making a difference in the lives of young women. Share your career and life experiences with students— in person, on the phone, or through a video conference. Enjoy lunch with students. Hire a student as an intern. Or, host a student at your workplace for a few hours or a few days as part of the Express to Success job-shadowing program. To learn more, call 860.768.5961.
/ 11
encourages others to go for what they want in life and never let anything stop them. “To me, resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks. I give to The Women’s Advancement Initiative and the LEAD program because their programming builds resilience,” she states. “I can see my dollars make a direct impact on these young women’s lives. It doesn’t matter what circumstances they came from or how they viewed themselves before college. The organization gives them the tools they need to better themselves, recover from setbacks, and flourish. I have hope in the future generations of women.” Bobbi has been a member of the Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers, the Connecticut Society of Radiologic Technologists, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and the Association of Medical Imaging Management. She served on the board of My Sister’s Place, a Hartford nonprofit agency that provides transitional housing for women and their children who are homeless or fleeing domestic abuse, and as a board treasurer of the Hartford Healthcare Federal Credit Union, now known as Wellness Federal Credit Union. Outside of her community engagement, she loves to travel and has been to 26 countries. Her typical day involves long walks, staying connected to family and friends, and appreciating the small things in life. As she continues to demonstrate her legacy of care, Bobbi lives by these words: “Treat people as you want to be treated and never stop giving.”
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD / 2021
12 / D I MOPNAOCRT R/ E C PU OR RR TE N T
PROGRAMS
JULY 1, 2020 TO JUNE 30, 2021
THE WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT INITIATIVE
Susan Ellovich Guralnik A’60
Donor Report
Dr. Elizabeth S. Ivey and Robert L. Klein
Thanks to the support of donors like you, The Women’s Advancement Initiative is able to make a significant difference in the lives of today’s women. We honor and thank you for helping us advance women’s potential in the Hartford College for Women tradition.
Marcia L. and John W. Hincks
Estela R. Lopez Bobbi McNeil ’94 Maria T. Orefice ’72 and David Lundberg
Anne Reddy Baldwin A’83 (HCW) Tricia Brunton
Francesca Decioccio Jones A’67 (HCW) and Trent Jones
Aurora Women and Girls Foundation
Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust
Paul J. Krause ’13
Ayco Charitable Foundation
Francine L. and Robert B. Goldfarb
Maxwell Belding Revocable Trust
Perry Daniels Huntington A’71 (HCW), ’73, and Gregory Huntington
Joyce Ramos Lemega A’65 (HCW) and John W. Lemega
Lois Fisher-Dietzel Debra M. Javit A’83 (HCW) Barry N. Lastra Lucille M. Nickerson and Ralph Zegarelli Karen Gibbs Orefice A’65 (HCW) and Jerry A. Orefice ’66 Sandra E. Peterson Dorothy Mylchreest Redmond Endowed Fund Jan Cassells Sweet HCW’65 and Joan Cassells Morgan HCW’53 Leadership Education and Development Endowed Fund $1,000–$2,499 Deanna and Tokunbo Akinbajo Amy E. Jaffe Barzach P’21 and Peter Barzach P’21 Kelly J. Daly ’14 and Kevin R. Daly M’89
Judith R. Kunisch
Glandina Morris ’04 and Matthew Lyga
Janice Zaleski Klein A’70 (HCW) and David M. Klein
Gail Sparrell Pease A’65 (HCW) and Thomas E. Pease
Kay Kloppenburg and Timothy Butterworth
Melanie Fisher Tighe A’76 (HCW)
Annamarie Lavieri A’65 (HCW) and Albert C. Gunther
$100–$249
James M. Linton Trust Patricia A. McKinley A’72 (HCW) Debra A. Palmer M’82 Karen and Marc A. Reich
Joanne Rydel Ackman A’64 (HCW) and Robert S. Ackman Noreen A. and Keith I. Allsop Barrett Family Foundation
Schwab Charitable Fund
Nancy Kinsley Barrett A’57 (HCW) and Thomas R. Barrett
Karin A. Stahl M’73 and William K. Stahl
Joanne E. Beers A’72 (HCW) and Earl C. Cree II
Kate Farrow Stoddard A’72 (HCW)
Cherie E. Caluda
Susan Rafferty Williams M’78 and Eliot P. Williams
Anne Tkac Carubba A’68 (HCW) and Ronald A. Carubba Dr. Caryn Christensen
$500–$999
Carol A. Coppa ’81, P’16, ’17
Joyce and Harold C. Buckingham Jr.
Heather J. Corbett and Todd Bamford
Rev. Beryl Gigle Capewell A’49 (HCW) and Marvin G. Capewell A’50 Judy Casperson Karen Berner Flowers A’68 (HCW) and John H. Flowers
Sarah L. and Matthew O. Fitzsimons
Carol Stern Gendel A’67 (HCW)
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Hinda N. Fisher Irrevocable Trust
Susan Landers Fenniman A’64 (HCW) and John D. Fenniman
$250–$499
$2,500+
Margaret Pearl Douglas and Dr. Montgomery B. Douglas ’83
Kimberly Muller Farrington A’81 (HCW) and David L. Farrington
Patricia C. Furnivall
Dr. Joan B. Davis
Jean R. Conrad
Deborah J. Ehrichs
Molly O. and Ryan Polk
Teresa A. Cardona ’19 (LEAD)
Miriam B. Butterworth Charitable Remainder Unitrust
Rosanne Druckman A’68 (HCW) and Larry Scherzer
Margaret Curtis Cornely A’72 (HCW) and Capt. Edward Cornely (Ret.) Rosemarie Cristina A’97 (HCW) Esther and Eric W. Danielson Jr.
Sandra Nowicki Garick A’62 (HCW) Patricia Katz Goldstein A’59 (HCW) and Arnold Goldstein Christine M. and Daniel E. Hynes ’96, P’21 Dr. Jane Anderson Innerd A’62 Brian and Brenda Kruse Barbara Cook Langner A’72 (HCW) Dulcy M. Lecour A’72 (HCW) and Charles Fujita Kathleen W. Meaney A’72 Jeanne Marie and Jeffrey M. Novak P’16 Lisa Christensen Petersen A’76 (HCW) Irene M. Oleksiw A’71 (HCW) Sandra L. Saavedra Dorothy M. Schwobel A’52 (HCW) Rita Alberici Shesler A’66 (HCW) and Albert T. Shesler Olga and Craig Streeter P’21 Marcy Bufithis Webster ’02 and William A. Webster II Esther Scheinblum Yeck A’70 (HCW) Nancy A. and Bruce E. Zepke A’69, ’79 Up to $99 Lisa Quinion Abbott A’76 (HCW) and Geoffrey L. Abbott Abena Adutwum ’21 (LEAD) Natalie Appiah Savitri Appiah Lakshmi Ayyanki M’17 Melanie Bazer A’89 (HCW) The Benevity Community Impact Fund Claire L. Bergin C’03 (HCW)
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
DONOR REPORT
/ 13
THANK YOU Law Offices of Bruce E. Bergman Susan Levin Bergman C’90 (HCW) and Bruce E. Bergman ’66
Samantha S. and Michael T. Goemans ’11, M’13
Jen and Robert J. McCarry Jr. ’98
Sabrina Streeter ’18 (LEAD)
Helandra Hall ’16
Patricia A. Moran M’83, M’87 Michaela A. Mueller ’20 (LEAD)
Nancy Powers Tanner A’66 (HCW), ’68, and Craig Tanner Darby Trowbridge ’21 (LEAD) Sonia and Roy Trowbridge P’21 Janine Tucker and Dr. Ira B. Schwartz ’73
Lisa B. Bibeau ’94 and Dennis Bibeau
Steffany L. Hamilton ’21 (LEAD)
Madeline Blinderman A’20 (LEAD)
Lynn and James Hammer
Elida Terry Mullarkey and Jaime Mullarkey
Shannon L. Hammer A’19 (LEAD)
Meaghan K. Murphy-Rennie M’19
Ruth E. Harlow A’67 (HCW)
Karen Van Heusen Norton A’66 (HCW)
Kaitlin R. Bosetti ’17, M’19 (LEAD) Yoanny Brito ’21 (LEAD) Heather M. Burgess Melia Calafiore
Amyah C. Harris ’21 (LEAD) Rhea P. Higgins
Caya Tull ’21 (LEAD)
Quinnae A. J. Outerbridge ’21 (LEAD)
Amanda Turner and Sean Smith
Dr. Katharine A. Owens
Aliki Watson
Dr. Diane Ullman and Peter Ullman
Elaine Nowicki Camposeo A’69 (HCW)
Dr. Kate D. Hohenthal M’94, D’10, P’20, ’21, and Carl A. Hohenthal P’20, ’21
Jennifer E. Carr ’19, P’17, ’21
Sara A. Hohenthal A’19 (LEAD)
Sabrina C. Parmanand
Deanna Casey ’20
Dr. Jane Horvath
Jessica Pawlik-York
Amy Span Wergeles and Fred Wergeles
Nadine Cedro
Elena Hynes ’21 (LEAD)
Angie L. Perez (LEAD)
Jennifer H. White ’21 (LEAD)
Sara Cerruto M’18
Denise Amidon Jacobson A’71 (HCW) and Walter Jacobson Jr.
Karishma Pinto ’17, M’18 (LEAD)
Mary Birtles White A’64 (HCW) and William R. White
Astrid E. Jarvis ’86
Brayden L. Ransom ’20 (LEAD)
Cynthia Chaffee A’56 (HCW) Gail C. Champlin ’66 Kelly Chen-Ruan ’21 (LEAD) Claudia A. Clark A’78 (HCW) Maia A. Craig ’21 (LEAD) Margaret S. Crosby C’92 (HCW) Courtney R. Cummings ’21 (LEAD) Kathleen A. Czarnota C’99 (HCW) Sawyer C. D’Amato ’21 (LEAD) Kaitlyn D’Andrea ’21 (LEAD) Kristin and Robert D’Andrea P’21 Ashley M. DeFreitas ’20 (LEAD) Donna and Alfred DeFreitas P’18, ’20 Theresa J. DeFreitas ’18 (LEAD) Nicole A. Demars ’18, M’19 (LEAD) Domenic Erin and Steven Ernst P’21 Jill K. Ernst ’21 (LEAD) Susan M. Filupeit A’67 (HCW) Susan S. Fitzgerald Hannah L. Francis ’20 (LEAD) Frontstream
Alexis Kallicharan Stephanie S. Kallicharan A’19 (LEAD) Suzanna and Bisnauth Kallicharan P’20 Breanna F. Karabeinikoff ’19 (LEAD) Dr. Alexandra Wojcechowsky Karriker A’63 (HCW) and Robert J. Karriker Christopher T. Krajcik A’18, ’20 Kochava R. Krieger ’17 (LEAD) Cara A. Leiderman A’15, ’17, M’20, C’21 Matthew Leonard
Dolly Parmanand
Brian Ramdharry Patricia L. and Darren A. Ransom P’20
Alan M. Weinstein M’91
Breanna R. Wigdzinski ’21 (LEAD) Tayllore E. Woods ’21 (LEAD)
Annery A. Romero P’21 Paola Sacchetti Amber R. Sayer M’16 and Benjamin Schwartz Yovin Singh Diane M. P. and Samuel N. Skinner M’85 Julia J. St. Amand ’21 (LEAD) Emily A. Steele ’21 (LEAD)
Every attempt has been made to record and honor gifts from our donors accurately. If you note any errors, please accept our most sincere apology and contact us at womenadv@hartford.edu or call 860.768.5961 so that we can correct our records.
Michael Steele P’21 Paul Stigliano Jasmine S. Streeter ’21 (LEAD)
Shirley Leong M’03 Henry Link Karen Lyga Ronchelle S. Marshall ’21 (LEAD) Samantha M. Marte A’19, ’21 (LEAD) Jennifer A. Martin (LEAD)
Donations can be directed to the HCW Legacy Fund, which supports The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s programs for today’s women; the Annual Fund; the LEAD program; the Miriam and Oliver Butterworth & Family LEAD Program Endowed Fund; or the new LEAD Endowed Fund.
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD / 2021
14 / IMPACT
Rising above Obstacles Circle of Connection
A circle can represent wholeness and connection. Each year, LEAD students participate in Closing Circle, a special event dedicated to celebrating their unity and accomplishments. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic added several unprecedented challenges for students. They yearned to discover a sense of community in isolation while shouldering the responsibilities of continuing their education virtually or in-person in a socially distanced manner. Some students became the primary caregivers for their siblings and grandparents while others faced the stressors of finding a job to contribute to their family’s income. Despite these hardships, they transformed obstacles into opportunities, supported each other, and stayed connected. Women’s Advancement staff offered in-person, virtual, and hybrid programming in addition to opportunity and resilience coaching. The impact was powerful. Cari Marchak ’23 says, “Even before the start of COVID-19, LEAD was a group filled with wonderful women who supported me, comforted me when I need encouragement, and cheered me on when I achieved my goals. During the pandemic, LEAD offered events to uplift our spirits and strengthen our bond. LEAD is my family, my circle of connection.”
Adaptability in Action
Since 2010, our Dorothy Goodwin Scholars have conducted innovative research and developed creative projects in collaboration with faculty mentors. Together, they spent countless hours collecting data, experimenting in labs, working with research participants, composing music, planning theater productions, creating artwork, writing articles, enhancing designs, and teaching others. This past year, they had to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Some labs were closed, theater productions were halted, and face-to-face interviews with research participants were not an option. However, they persevered even when the in-person annual symposium to showcase their work had to be done virtually. With a mindset of adaptability, each scholar presented their work as part of the symposium video. Abby
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
Myers ’21 comments, “This experience taught me how to plan and execute a research project, and how to approach academia with resilience. The Dorothy Goodwin Scholars program matters because it encourages women like me to work together to achieve goals bigger than ourselves.” Abby is currently pursuing a PhD in neuroscience. Dorothy Goodwin was a public servant, educator, philanthropist, and community leader. Thanks to her generous bequest, scholarships are awarded annually to eligible students and stipends are given to faculty mentors for their project oversight. We celebrate her legacy.
Fostering Community on Campus
We were pleased to welcome the 2020–2022 cohort of the Laura Johnson Leaders (LJL) program. Fourteen faculty and staff members from across the University of Hartford make up the eighth cohort. This two-year dynamic leadership program is focused on building community and professional development. The group met virtually during year one and created a bond of support as they navigated the pandemic together. We applaud their dedication to making student success a priority during difficult times. The program also provided a space for participants to focus on self-care and acquire tools for personal development. Karla Loya, LJL alumna and assistant professor of educational leadership, shares, “The program introduced me to colleagues who are now friends. It is carefully planned to help participants enter with different skills, needs, goals, and experiences, and somehow each of us finds the program meaningful, supportive, and full of experiential learning that introduces us to new areas of development. This is one of the best experiences I have had.” In year one, participants enjoyed workshops on communicating with confidence, developing as inclusive and resilient leaders, leadership during challenging times, and other engaging topics. In year two, they are strengthening their community. Since 2008, there have been 126 Laura Johnson Leaders. More than 20 percent have gone on to advanced leadership roles.
The Women’s Advancement Initiative empowers women to embrace opportunities and thrive in the Hartford College for Women tradition. Now, more than ever, we believe in the power of building community, encouraging each other, and providing women with the tools they need to lead and navigate life’s challenges with adaptability, empathy, and courage.
100%
of students in the 2016–2021 LEAD cohorts have donated to support programming for future LEAD students.
3,570 Hartford College for Women alumnae around the world.
150+
LEAD alumnae joined the sisterhood across time. They have acquired the tools and training to move beyond their undergraduate college journeys, pursue advanced degrees, start their careers, launch their own businesses, and create new opportunities.
$103,250 awarded to Robert E. Donovan Scholars since 2009. Created by Robert’s widow, Margaret Donovan, the Donovan Scholarships are given each year to women engineering students who are on track to complete their degrees but need financial assistance in order to continue.
ANNUAL REWIND / 15
The LEAD Class of 2024 enjoyed their two-day retreat with leadership activities facilitated by Outside Perspectives, Inc., at the former Hartford College for Women campus.
2 02 1
Events The LEAD Class of 2021 said goodbye to their undergraduate journeys and hello to future possibilities at our annual Closing Circle. Congratulations, LEADHers!
Four faculty and staff members received the 2021 Laura Johnson Leadership Award. The awards were presented to faculty and staff who honor the spirit of Laura Johnson, third dean and first president of Hartford College for Women. Laura Johnson was known for her vision, leadership, and empowerment of others. The awardees received a certificate of recognition and funding for professional development. Clockwise from top left: Karla Loya, assistant professor of educational leadership; Christine Grant, executive director of Diversity and Community Engagement; Jennifer Olson, technical services librarian; and Carol Padberg, professor, director and founder of the Nomad Interdisciplinary MFA Program.
Megan Powell ’23 and her fellow LEAD classmates participated in virtual mock job interviews with professionals from all over the world, including a world-renowned children’s book illustrator and painter, a business manager, an educator, a senior graphic designer, a registered nurse, and a songwriter.
More than 70 LEAD students participated in LEAD Community Service Days to support projects throughout Greater Hartford. Some students volunteered at the Chrysalis Center Railway Garden. Jasmine Streeter ’21 painted Kindness Rocks for health-care heroes.
Caya Tull ’21 joined the HCW/LEAD sisterhood across time at Commencement in May. The Class of 2021 represents the sixth LEAD cohort to graduate.
10 Years of Leading with Heart Amy Jaffe Barzach has inspired the development of supportive and inclusive communities, organizations, and playgrounds for more than 25 years. Her comprehensive resume of management, marketing, and program development is impressive. However, the common thread that connects her spirit of leadership can be summed up in one word: heart. She has the heart to lead with compassion. After a career in marketing and community relations, Amy was the founder and executive director of Boundless Playgrounds, the first national nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities. Jonathan’s Dream, one of the country’s first inclusive playgrounds, was built in honor of Amy and Peter Barzach’s son, Jonathan, who died before his first birthday. In 2011, her heart led her to The Women’s Advancement Initiative, where today she serves as its executive director. The year before she arrived, The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s board made a strategic decision to more directly impact students’ lives, inspired by the way students at Hartford College for Women (HCW) were supported and challenged. This new direction was supported by a generous challenge grant from Alison Gallagher Coolbrith Lastra A’65 (HCW) and Barry Lastra, and dozens of supporters, including board members and many HCW alumnae. Amy was instrumental in taking this vision and using it to pilot and then fully launch what today is known as LEAD, an innovative now four-year program that serves students in all four class years. Her contributions also include 50th reunions and programming for HCW alumnae, and expanding the Dorothy Goodwin Scholars and Laura Johnson Leaders programs. “Every day, I have the pleasure of leading a team of talented and dedicated professionals, and working with remarkable women and men who believe in and support our misson,” Amy comments. “I see the direct impact of our work on the lives of those we serve. I am grateful that, even during challenging times, we are able to help each other thrive.” Lucille Nickerson, founding board chair, was asked to pare down all of Amy’s exceptional qualities into just a few words. Lucille says, “Amy is outstanding because she leads with wisdom, sensitivity, and enthusiasm while thinking strategically and executing with precision. She has embraced the HCW legacy and done more than anyone to ensure that LEAD students and other program beneficiaries understand that all the best in their programs has been thoughtfully and purposefully designed to represent the best of the Hartford College experience.” Today, we celebrate Amy’s 10 years of leadership and recognize that providing women with the tools they need to be successful in their lives, careers, and communities requires a foundation of support, a spirit of collaboration, and a lot of heart.
Please note that some photos were captured prior to the pandemic and do not reflect current requirements for social distancing and face coverings.
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD / 2021
16 / HARTFORD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN ALUMNA PROFILE
DEB BIE JAVI T A’ 83 (HCW)
Discovering Her Authentic Self When Debbie Javit looks at the steps she took on her path to self-discovery, growth, and ultimately success, she recalls the first time she realized she could be resilient. She was 18 years old when she decided to be her authentic self. Despite the risks, she knew it was the right choice. When she did, she found supportive people and a welcoming community at Hartford College for Women (HCW). Debbie didn’t initially plan to go to HCW. A car accident and concussion ruled out the other colleges to which she had planned to apply. As a student, Debbie says, she was “a troublemaker.” While at HCW, she continued to struggle with undiagnosed ADD, anxiety, depression, and sharing her true identity, but she thrived in the college’s empowering environment. “I grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, 15 minutes from HCW. I hadn’t realized how much I would benefit from being close to home and my family, how much I needed resources and guidance to excel,” she says. A HCW dean made time for heartto-heart talks with her. “She saw my potential and believed in me,” Debbie shares. She also remembers Professor Cynthia Ritvo who helped her overcome her dislike of math. Eventually, she even minored in finance. “I loved HCW. It provided extra attention for students, which is exactly what I needed,” she explains. Dean Harriet Davis suggested she attend Simmons College to earn her bachelor’s degree, and it turned out to be the right fit. When she started in commercial real estate, Debbie was usually the only
T H E W O M E N ’ S A D VA N C E M E N T I N I T I AT I V E
woman in the room. On business trips, she made it a point to join her male colleagues at dinner and other events. “Thanks to HCW and Simmons, I felt confident to be a woman in a man’s world,” she says. Debbie also credits her father, the late Max Javit, with preparing her for the challenges she would face. He taught her to “walk in like a partner.” Her father was her first role model. “When other little girls were playing with dolls, I was walking shopping centers with my dad,” Debbie comments. “When I graduated from college,” Debbie says, “I wanted to work with my father, but he told me I needed to achieve success on my own first.” When financial catastrophe struck her father’s business 10 years later, “Dad asked me to join him.” Her childhood dream of working with her father came true. For 20 years, Debbie and her father were an amazing team, during good times and challenging times. She says, “I was good cop; he was bad cop. I was Ed McMahon; he was Johnny Carson. I loved being his second banana.” At the height of the market, just before the crash of 2008, they sold all of the shopping centers her dad had built decades earlier. Debbie was thrilled that her father retired on such a high note. She continued on her journey, and took the lead managing and investing the proceeds from the sale of their family’s real estate. Her father guided her as she learned to become an effective investor. She says, “He didn’t do it for me, but he helped me to define the parameters for success and discern who would be good partners. As he was getting older, he knew that I needed to learn how to
stand on my own; and I did.” Debbie now has more than a 12-year track record of success as an investor. In 2001, after a chance meeting with Amy Jaffe Barzach, executive director of The Women’s Advancement Initiative, Debbie knew she had found a kindred spirit. Eventually she got involved with the nonprofit and then joined its board of directors. “I really want to help young women, especially those who have anxiety or depression. I want to help them build resilience so they can go far in life, despite challenges, and get the resources and help they need to be able to power through,” Debbie explains. She would like to share with them what she’d tell her younger self: “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re good just the way you are, even with all your imperfections.” Recently, Debbie announced a generous planned gift to support the organization’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program for students, which now includes resilience programming, and in spring 2022 she is co-facilitating a LEAD session on resilience. She is also piloting and funding an award for LEAD students. It will be called the “Debbie Javit ‘Javy’ Resilience Award.” Since she has had angels in her life— her loving partner of 17 years, devoted friends, and her family, who have all lifted her up and guided her—she wants to do the same for younger women. “When you go through pain and grow, and then achieve success, it is your responsibility to go back and teach others how to do it, too, so that all of us can be resilient,” she says.
“ When you go through pain and grow, and then achieve success, it is your responsibility to go back and teach others how to do it.”
Debbie with LEAD student Kerren Katembo ’22.
200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID University of Hartford
UPCOMING EVENTS March 31, 2022, 5:30 p.m. Experience The Women’s Advancement Initiative through the eyes of students, faculty, and staff who benefit from our programs. Explore innovative research and creative projects from Dorothy Goodwin Scholars, meet Laura Johnson Leaders, and learn from interactive leadership lessons presented by today’s LEAD students.
COVER PHOTOS Front: Maddy Blinderman ’22 photographed by Zandria Oliver Back: Cover of 1980s Prospectus