Women’s Leadership

Despite delivery challenges, programs for young leaders continue to resonate

In 2020, high school students participating in the Summer Leadership Academy attended sessions virtually.

This year, the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) at Mount Mary had to make adjustments in order to maintain impactful programming for young women. While some things needed to pivot, they searched for ways to remain true to their mission. What they learned was sometimes surprising. When the staff shifted the Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) for high school girls from a residential experience to a completely virtual program, they had no idea what to expect. Feeling “Zoomed out” themselves from months of a surprise national quarantine, they were encouraged that the student applicants showed up and then returned for day two and day three. “The topics of college preparation, career exploration and leadership were as relevant as ever,” said Anne Kahl, Executive Director of the Leadership Institute. “We were overwhelmed at the participants’ sentiments during the closing ceremony about the community, saying that they now felt part of the group, and how their futures felt clearer as a result of the knowledge gained during the academy,” she said. “Increasing the confidence in these young women at this stage of their lives is critical. For some it helps them be sure of choosing a particular career path, but for others it helps them realize that college is actually an option for them and they can succeed.” That encouragement prompted WLI staff to challenge themselves: How can we do more, and reach even more young women? The virtual format offered a unique opportunity on which they hoped to capitalize. After a busy fall meeting with high school counselors to explore interests, needs and gaps in their current curriculums, they identified areas where the Women’s Leadership Institute could offer support. Focusing on the three tenets of SLA leadership, college prep and career exploration, the first edition of the Leadership Academy Mornings pilot was launched in March. Young women from Saint Joan Antida, Brookfield East and Brookfield Central high schools learned about different programs of study and careers that could be pursued with the different majors and minors. They also received supply kits to participate in various hands-on activities that allowed them to dig a little deeper into what it would be like to study fashion, food science, nursing, history, studio art, interior architecture and design, English and business. “We put into practice the same leadership that we instill in our future leaders,” Kahl said. “We turned a challenge into an opportunity.”

Mount Mary University and the Mount Mary Alumnae Association honored three distinguished alumnae and delivered the 2020 President’s Award of Distinction in a virtual Awards Celebration on April 24. The Madonna Medal represents the highest honor bestowed upon Mount Mary alumnae who demonstrate a longstanding commitment to their profession or volunteerism. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 awards ceremony was postponed until 2021 and the 2020 awards were presented at this event.

TOWER AWARD Lakiesha Russell Class of ‘10, ‘13

The 2020 Tower Award, given to alums within 15 years of graduation who demonstrate excellence and potential for future growth, is awarded to Lakiesha Q. Russell ’10, ’13. Russell, of Milwaukee, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in behavioral science/psychology and returned and graduated in 2013 with a Master of Science in Community Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin and provides child and family therapy services at Children’s Wisconsin. She has founded The Evolving Chair Counseling and Consulting Agency, providing services to children and women who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety and more. Russell integrates her professional expertise with a strong faith base to bring mental health awareness and access to the African American community in Milwaukee and across the country.

MADONNA MEDAL

For Professional Excellence

Perie J. Longo, Ph.D, LMFT Class of ‘62

The 2020 Madonna Medal for Professional Excellence is awarded to Perie J. Longo ’62, Ph.D., LMFT. Longo, of Santa Barbara, CA, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and drama and a minor in education. She went on to receive her master’s in speech and communication from UCLA and eventually a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Sierra University in 1991. Longo has helped many find their voice through poetry and writing, thanks to her work as a registered poetry therapist. For 30 years, she has brought poetry into the Santa Barbara K-12 classroom with the CaliforniaPoets-in-the-Schools program, as well as facilitating workshops privately to teach poetry to adults. She currently works as a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice. She also leads writing groups for Hospice of Santa Barbara and Sanctuary Psychiatric Centers and is a longtime member of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

Striving for excellence in teaching and learning is at the heart of what we do. These individuals are living out our founding principles of competence, compassion, community and commitment.

Christine Pharr, Ph.D. Mount Mary President

MADONNA MEDAL Beth Kowall Class of ‘74 For Service to the Alumnae Association

The 2020 Madonna Medal for Service to the Alumnae Association is awarded to Beth Kowall ’74, who graduated in occupational therapy and holds a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Kowall, of Greenfield, Wis., has volunteered both in Mount Mary’s Occupational Therapy department and in the Alumnae Association in roles such as the Mount Mary Awards Committee, the Starving Artists’ Show and assisting with other campus events. She has also held many positions on the board and has served as a class delegate for 32 years.

PRESIDENT'S AWARD OF DISTINCTION

Gary and Judy Jorgensen

The President’s 2020 Award of Distinction is awarded to Gary and Judy Jorgensen, who have been personally and professionally invested in many projects around Mount Mary and the greater Milwaukee community through Gary’s firm, VJS Construction Services. They have been deeply involved in the planning and construction of Trinity Woods, the intergenerational living community set to open on campus in fall 2021.