Accounting freshman Carolyn Lapham and family community services freshman Emily Nichols look at the they made Tuesday at the fourth annual Women’s Leadership Open House in the Union. People could make cards for women in their lives that have impacted or encouraged them.
Some women spend so much time acknowledging other females’ accomplishments that they forget to recognize one of the most important women in their lives — themselves, Sarah Siewert said.
To remind females not to place their own successes on the back burner and to pay tribute to Women’s History Month, the Women’s Initiative for Leadership Development hosted its fourth annual Women’s Leadership Open House on Tuesday at the Union.
“For some reason, women have a hard time showing off the accomplishments they have achieved and owning the experiences they have had throughout the year,” said Siewert, co-chair of the group’s planning committee and communication senior.
“It’s important to be able to recognize yourself and your accomplishments, as well as those of other women.”
The open house featured a table of colored note cards and corresponding colored ribbon. Patrons who visited the station picked one of five colored note cards symbolizing different categories of achievement: personal, academic, community service, leadership and professional/career.
The anonymous note cards, which showcased everyone’s accomplishments, were posted on a chalkboard, and people wore colored ribbons to reveal the category of achievement they chose to highlight.
Jodi Roberto Hancock, educational program coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center, said she chose a pink note card to showcase her biggest personal development of the year.
“I have decided to make a lifestyle change and work out and just take it one step at a time,” Roberto Hancock said.
Unlike many other women, Roberto Hancock said she knows the importance of being able to take credit for one’s accomplishments.
“Women will often downplay their success and brush off compliments,” she said. “Instead of saying, ‘Thank you, I did do a good job,’ they’ll say, ‘Oh, it’s no big deal.’”
While appreciating one’s self was encouraged, the event also presented an opportunity to recognize others.
Throughout the evening, women could give “shout-outs” to other females present by sharing stories about them using a microphone, Siewert said.
“It’s nice to recognize your friend for something special they’ve done and give them a carnation,” she said.
An event station with a similar purpose allowed attendees to write a thank-you note to a woman of her choice.
Jennifer Harrison, an executive board member of the group, said the different activities at the open house provided ways to showcase influential women in the community.
“It’s important to recognize woman leaders in the community and introduce people to the opportunities that are available to them,” Harrison said.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
