![L-R: Dr. Odell, Dr. Saile, Dr. Leary, Dr. Dettmar, Dr. O'Donnell]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760986926/emmawillardorg/i606mcsbqbao6b7avsfn/EWS_5202_fnl_1.jpg","width":1620}])
The second panel discussion of Installation Day featured a conversation about empowering girls and women to lead.
Moderated by Dean of Academics Dr. Esther Dettmar, the panelists for this discussion included Dr. Kimberlyn Leary ’78, Dr. Sarah Margaret Odell, Dr. Kendra Stearns O’Donnell ’60 P’88, and Anne Saile P’01. Each distinguished leaders in their diverse chosen fields, they shared wisdom about supporting and growing our students into leaders who serve and shape their worlds.
“The girls are not broken. [...] The problem is not us; the problem is the structures in place. [...] And so when I think about what women need, it’s resilience. How are we cultivating resilience in young women? Because they’re going to face pitfalls and the structures are not there to support them. And so how do we get them through those moments so that they don't leave leadership, they don't leave being head of school, they don't leave being a senator or whatever it happens to be. How do they actually get through it?” —Dr. Sarah Margaret Odell
“One of my very earliest memories of leadership was in trying to bring out the genius in the group. It was more than keeping order; it was about keeping engagement. [...] Do things that scare you. Have courage, be brave, and know that even the most seemingly impossible situations are ones that you can rise to.” —Anne Saile P’01
“It’s critical to cultivate the skill of learning to be curious about things and people at the exact moment where you have no interest in their point of view or perspective. It’s easy to be curious about stuff that intrigues you. The art is learning to be as curious in your own head about stuff that activates you and viewpoints that just make you start to tremble, because it’s out of that curiosity that something better comes, and that is actually trying to solve challenges and problems.” —Dr. Kimberlyn Leary ’78
“The image of leadership that I grew up with for women leaders was really to be a fake man. We need to help young women understand the power of being their authentic selves—as women and as leaders. To be honest about their feelings, to be honest about their challenges, to be unafraid. It takes a lot of courage to not put the mask on, but to be oneself—facing a crisis, facing the ordinary business of leadership day by day.” —Dr. Kendra Stearns O’Donnell ’60 P’88
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