Proactive leadership By Jennifer Simonton ’13, former public relations coordinator for the S. Nancy Hynes Institute for Women’s Leadership As Saint Ben’s continues to push toward a world filled with educated, confident, spiritually grounded women leaders, the S. Nancy Hynes Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL) is a prime example of that vision put into action. The Hynes IWL was initiated in 2003 by two students, Beth Heinzen ’05 and Sarah Sumers ’04, who realized that a specific space offering gender-related discussion and women’s leadership opportunities would make a valuable addition to this women’s college campus. The institute was dedicated to S. Nancy Hynes in the fall of 2007. Her courses on gender issues focused on how both genders are affected in the ongoing struggle for equal human rights. Of course, her work did not go forward without difficulty, as many Catholic colleges were not addressing those issues yet. But her fiery personality and zeal for gender equality catalyzed this movement, and her abiding passion and spirit remains a role model for the student staff. The Hynes IWL is staffed by six students, led by the student director, and is estimated to actively reach at least half of the student body in a given year. What started with an idea and desire has evolved into a welldeveloped organization that continues to gain recognition. The student staff is guided by a board of advisors made up of faculty and staff, but the students are ultimately in charge of programming and what role the institute plays on campus. This is what sets the institute apart.
Together, the student staff shapes programs to fit the current issues facing their peers — female students. In looking at college women’s needs, each academic year looks entirely different, but the pillars of the program remain constant.
Examples of past successful programs: • Women’s expeditions — Excursions like horseback riding and rock climbing that recognize that women build confidence when they stretch themselves • Leadership Speaker Series — Inspiring speakers like Lilly Ledbetter, Tererai Trent and Anne-Marie Slaughter • Educational programming — Including documentary screenings (e.g., “Half the Sky,” “Invisible War”) and reading groups (e.g., “Her Place at the Table”, “The Hook Up Culture”) • Sexual assault awareness and redefining feminism campaigns • Women as Global Leaders — A two-week May Term trip to study women and leadership in various cultures The programs and dedicated space offer a platform for focused dialogue among participants which has resulted in a heightened awareness and increased knowledge of gender issues. Overwhelmingly, women who have participated in the programs suggest that they are challenged daily to think critically about gender and leadership-related issues, while also encouraged to be passionate and individual women leaders.
Kenzie Kraemer ’08 changes lives in Dominican Republic. See page 12 for full story.
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