The most recent Refining the Journey program was hosted in New York City on Monday, November 7, 2011 at The Colony Club. Close to 100 alumnae attended the event.

This program is offered to alumnae (20+ years graduated) and explores the many life experiences facing women at this stage of the journey. Distinguished faculty and accomplished alumnae discuss self discovery and engagement with meaning and purpose. Topics include volunteerism, care giving, and lifelong learning and education.

The Council hosted the first Refining the Journey on November 10, 2010.  Over 130 alumnae gathered in the Murray Room at Boston College to explore the opportunities and challenges facing women at mid-life. A panel of Boston College faculty including Lisa Goodman, Professor, Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Director, Sloan Center on Aging & Work and Colleen Griffith, Associate Professor, School of Theology and Ministry, discussed living a life full of passion, meaning and purpose. Following the panel presentation, Council Members led round-table discussions addressing the topics and ideas proposed by panelists. The event concluded with a networking reception.

Information from the fall 2011 program:

Faculty Presentations:

Women at Mid-Life: What can Psychology Teach Us?
Lisa A. Goodman, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Training
Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational PsychologyLynch School of Education

Optimizing the Long Future of Aging: Meaning Through Connections
Jacquelyn B. James, Ph.D.
Director of Research, Sloan Center on Aging & Work
Work Research Professor, Boston College Lynch School of Education

Spiritual Wisdom at Mid-Life
Colleen M. Griffith
Associate Professor, Practice of Theology
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

Faculty Book Recommendations:

For a list of suggested readings , please click here.