Fletcher Alumnae Gather for Networking
F
rom March 13-15, the Fletcher Women’s Network held its first Babinec (a Czech word for a women’s gathering) at The Fletcher School on the Medford campus. A diverse group from New England attended, along with alumnae from California, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The following is a first-hand reflection from one participant, Sara Mason Ader, F97:
Living in the Boston area, I am fortunate to have several Fletcher classmates who live nearby. We see each other once in a while and form a comforting network of old friends with similar interests and ambitions.
I expanded my Fletcher connection exponentially, however, when I attended the first Fletcher Babinec. Only a few of the faces I saw at the beginning of that weekend were familiar to me. But after a transformational day of informal discussion, sharing, networking, and noshing—I came away inspired and refreshed, knowing that I have a greatly enhanced network of accomplished and incredible women to count on for friendship, mentoring, and support.
The Babinec weekend began on Friday night with a potluck dinner, graciously hosted by Ivka Kalus-Bystricky, F90, at her home in Lexington, Mass. The next morning, coffee and conversation began flowing early, followed by a welcome from Babinec organizers Marcia Greenberg, F91, and Elisabet Rodriguez, F90. Recently returned from Burundi, Diana Chigas, F88, Professor of Practice of Conflict Resolution, greeted us on behalf of Fletcher faculty and led a discussion of women faculty at Fletcher.
By mid-morning, Elisabet had elegantly set the stage for the small group discussions that would dominate the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon. In the first round, participants self-divided into groups to discuss either transitions or work/family balance. Each group then met back with the larger group to report their findings. Personal experiences, stories, achievements, setbacks and challenges had all been discussed in an open and supportive environment. We found that even though we all lead lives as unique as our MALD research, we face similar life struggles as women, and it is comforting to learn from each other and cathartic to share with other women who understand. Later rounds of discussion on Africa and the impact of the current financial crisis on global issues economics were equally diverse, full, and meaningful.
In the late afternoon, we enjoyed hearing thoughts and concerns about the future of global women’s reproductive rights from Barbara Crane, F71, Executive Vice-President of IPAS, an international organization that works around the world to increase women's ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, and to reduce abortion-related deaths and injuries. Barbara took the time to put the current situation into historic context, and then raised a question that generated some thoughtful discussion: Do we have any visionaries today for women’s rights in this country? Participants suggested maybe Hillary Rodham Clinton, but recognized that time and history will tell, as they did for Eleanor Roosevelt; and maybe Oprah Winfrey, who uses her visibility and platform to direct attention to women’s issues.
India was the theme for the evening. We shared a delicious Indian dinner and then watched the film “Water”, an emotional film that deals with the treatment of widows in India just prior to Gandhi’s influence. With full hearts and teary eyes, the day came to a close. The Babinec weekend ended with a scrumptious Sunday brunch at Elephant Walk in Cambridge.
My mind has been spinning in the week since I attended the Babinec. It is difficult to describe the range of emotions I felt after meeting the more than 40 women who attended the gathering. Primarily, I felt proud to count myself among such a distinguished group and fortunate to be a part of such an extensive network of accomplished women. I am grateful to the organizers, in addition to Marcia, Elisabet, Barbara, and Ivka, Sue Dorfman, F92, Mariana Stoyancheva, F05, Lynn Salinger, F81, Jan Sallinger, F92, and Mieke van der Wansem, F90, and student supporters Julie Zollmann, Ameesha Chandnani and Jennie Riley for bringing our Fletcher experience up to date and expanding our alumnae network far beyond the limitations of professional boundaries and class years.
If you are a Fletcher alumna and wish to join the Fletcher Women’s Network or you’d like to learn more about the organization, please email Marcia Greenberg.