Inauguration Weekend: Women Leadership and Social Justice and Lynn Pasquerella

It's been a busy and exciting inauguration weekend at Mount Holyoke College. As it is coming to a close I thought it would be nice to reflect and share some experiences of a couple events. The Inauguration for me began on Thursday night where I attended a panel discussion between the eloquent intellectuals: Princeton University Professor of Philosopht  Kwame Anthony Appiah, University of Michigan Professor of law Catherine MacKinnon (Smith alum 1969), and Joia Mukherjee medical director of Partners in Health. The panel was moderated by MHC very own Kavita Ramdas '85, a senior advisor and former president/CEO (until last week to be precise) of the Global Fund for Women. It was an amazing and inspiring to listen to the banter between these academics and social activists from various fields of study discussing women's leadership and social justice. Those types of discussions always inspire me to go out and challenge myself academically. They were all passionate, brilliant, engaging and very funny speakers who were being excellently provoked and guided by Kavita. I would absolutely love to be in a classroom or to work with people of that caliber.

The next day the inauguration took place. Lots of speeches about Lynn Pasquerella; her character, personality, strengths and engagement in the community both local and global. She really is a fantastic person--accessible, active, attentive and interested in student input. You can already feel her presence on campus just with the fact that I see her every morning when I go to the gym :) The inauguration included lots of processions, amusing anecdotes (especially David Perrault from Facilities Management), music and words of welcome for MHC's 18th President! I didn't know this but the colors on faculty robes indicate their fields of learning for example: Pink=Music, Lilac= Dentistry, Dark Blue= Philosophy, Scarlet= Theology, and Golden Yellow= Science. I think I'm going to decide my major and field of study solely on the colors.

Later on in the evening there were fireworks over Lower Lake which was lovely. I adore fireworks. I think its so nice to sit outside and watch colors in the sky explode. There was a gala going on in Chapin afterwards, so there were all these adults in black suits, ties, long (often sparkly) evening gowns. My friend and I decided to people watch so we creeped around commenting guests attire.


Finally there was the student reception this afternoon, which was not greatly attended. There were  speeches made by two students of the college and an alum who really were inspiring in their words about bringing about change in the world and being confident in yourself. The alum made the excellent point, that my mother had just told me  a couple weeks ago, to think big. Envision the life you want to live, be ready to make sacrifices, but do not be limited by stereotypes and boxes. Challenge those stereotypes and become in affect the change you want to see.


So that was the weekend and its not over. I have a pile of homework, but thankfully Mountain Day will we next week some lovely morning and I will be able to take a walk up a mountain, see the Pioneer Vally from above and hopefully tackle some of my work. Posts for another day: Film Studies and Mountain Day.