Looking to expand the visibility of prominent women on campus, the newly-formed Council for Women of Boston College Colloquium brought former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to BC this Wednesday. The CWBC Colloquium is under the umbrella of the BC Institute for the Liberal Arts, and Albright is its first speaker. The aim of the colloquium is to recognize the importance of the continued success of women leaders.
At the talk, Albright discussed her journey coming to the United States as a child after being born in the former Czechoslovakia, to beginning her career in foreign policy, a topic always among her most significant interests throughout her life. In between anecdotes about her time as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of State, Albright offered opinions on current global issues such as climate change and the refugee crisis, as well as her perspective on the place for women in government and other positions of leadership. Women should not be afraid to speak up if they have something to say and know what they are talking about, Albright said, and have every right to be taken seriously as capable decision-makers and leaders.
Moving forward, the CWBC Colloquium will bring speakers to discuss women in leadership to campus. The CWBC aims to shape the future of BC via engagement of women on campus. Next, they are sponsoring Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize-winning Iranian activist and lawyer.
On Monday, the Rappaport Center will host ambassador Wendy Sherman, the lead negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal, to speak at BC Law. This, coupled with the events held by the new Colloquium, points to a productive trend at the University. By making a point of sponsoring prominent female leaders, BC sends the message that women mentorship is a critical place to invest resources.
In addition to talks, the administration sends this message more practically with programs such as Rise, a mentorship initiative that connects upperclass female students with prominent women on campus, like Kelli Armstrong and Kerry Cronin. Rise is an effective way to encourage leadership on campus. It is the micro version of the effect that the women speakers are intended to have. When both of these are taken in conjunction—more female speakers, along with mentorship for developing leaders—the result is a more engaged and passionate student body, both female and male.
By bringing prominent, international figures such as Madeleine Albright to campus, the University acknowledges how important it is to develop and celebrate women leaders. BC ought to continue this practice of bringing more prominent speakers, including more women of color or from disparate socioeconomic factors as well.
Featured Image by Sarah Hodgens / Heights Photo
