Council for Women Marking Five Productive Years
Council for Women of Boston College has aimed to strengthen and embolden alumnae
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Boston College has often relied on the support of women in times of challenge and transition. Today, once again on the cusp of major changes, the University is looking to the strength of its female alumni to propel forward.In its brief five-year lifespan, the Council for Women of Boston College has aimed to strengthen and embolden alumnae. With females constituting a majority of BC's 140,000 graduates, the need for a dynamic alumni organization to support women has never been greater, said CWBC Executive Committee member Susan Thurmond, executive director of Alumni Programs.
"Women engage differently than men when it comes to contributing," says Thurmond. "For women, contributing as members of a group with a common objective — rather than just financially — is very important. The council is a resource that, for a very long time, has been needed at Boston College."
Formally established in 2002, the Council for Women held its first meeting in 2003 with the mission to further the role of women as leaders and partners at BC. University President William P. Leahy, SJ, appointed Board of Trustee members Kathleen M. McGillycuddy, NC'71, and Cynthia Lee Egan,'78, as co-chairs of the Council. They formed an executive committee that ultimately laid the foundation for the council.
[Continuing its fifth anniversary celebration, the council met yesterday at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.]
McGillycuddy said that committee — which has remained largely unchanged in five years – focused on creating programming to strengthen alumnae relationships with the University and current students. The group decided that meaningful events would increase visibility and representation of alumnae, enhance alumnae and students' experiences through positive female role models and expand financial support to the University.
"I like to say the council is a core group of highly focused, dedicated alumnae who draw from their deep professional and personal experiences and commit a significant amount of time and resources to the university," said McGillycuddy.
"Women have a responsibility for the future health of the University because women are now the majority of alumni," said McGillycuddy. "Females have joint ownership in the health of their University and need to embrace that role."
Scanning through the member list, it's easy to see the caliber of membership. From executives of Fortune 500 companies to partners of major law firms, doctors, entrepreneurs and television personalities, the council has grown to 122 members over the last five years. Another 400 women have signed on as associate members. Council leaders said they are looking forward to steady growth in the future.
Criteria for a council member is to be an alumna of BC, provide financial support to the University as a Fides Patron, commit to attend the semiannual meetings and serve on one of the council's four committees.
Those committees have helped to organize tremendously successful programs, including CWBC's hallmark, "Beginning the Journey," which invites students and alumni to a panel discussion with a group of council members. Attendance has been so great since its premiere in 2003 CWBC has not only run the program in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, but expanded offerings to include "Continuing the Journey," a seminar for young professionals who are navigating back to the workforce after taking time off for family or children.
A Student Advisory Board was established in 2006, with representation from each undergraduate class and each school and college.
"The surprise in all this is not only the numbers, but the level of dedication and motivation. There is a strong desire on the part of these women to be a part of BC. Dozens of friendships, working relationships and touch points have been established, but the Council has been successful in helping the women of BC to establish a lifelong relationship with the University, " said Egan.
In the immediate future, council leaders say the women of the council will be called upon to rally alumni to support the "Light the World" Capital Campaign and the University's Master Plan. Increasing student formation opportunities, encouraging members to volunteer as guest lecturers and measured growth of membership are also goals for the next five years.
"This has been an opportunity for women to influence and engage in a different way, to not just write a check, but play a role, at a very real and personal level in the future of the University," said McGillycuddy. "That is very powerful."
For more information on the Council for Women of Boston College, visit the group's Web site at www.bc.edu/alumni/volunteer/cwbc.html.
Melissa Beecher can be reached for comment at melissa.beecher.1@bc.edu