Creating Catalysts

By Summar Lowe '24, May 6, 2024

Leadership retreat empowers students to create change.

The Women's Leadership Retreat took IC students to Seneca Falls.

(Photo by Summar Lowe '24)

Each year, as part of Ithaca College’s Women Leaders Series, students head to Seneca Falls, New York, for the Women in Leadership Experience.

Hosted by the Office of Student Engagement, this retreat — located at the site of the first-ever Women’s Rights Convention, held in 1848 — is designed to enable students to create both personal and societal change by discussing women's leadership, self-care, historical perspectives, and the growth of communities. It is open to all IC students who are interested in learning more about the historical experience of women in leadership and how to cultivate women in leadership in the future.

Arriving at Seneca Falls, the participants were treated to a guided tour of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of women's struggles and triumphs. This exploration served as a catalyst, igniting a sense of purpose and responsibility among attendees

Small group activities were part of the retreat experience. (Photo by Summar Lowe '24)

The retreat also featured engaging activities such as Woman Inspiration sessions, where participants shared their sources of motivation and resilience, and a Women Leaders Panel provided insights from esteemed speakers, fostering dialogue on contemporary challenges and opportunities for women in leadership roles.

Madeline Dombrow ’27 reflected positively on the experience.

“The trip felt like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “Being in the presence of empowering women and standing at the birthplace of the women's rights movement was profoundly fulfilling.”

“Hearing so many different stories and perspectives on being a woman leader, and how much we could all understand and relate to each other resonated with me,” said Casey Ingraham ’24. “We all found how we connected with each other and were able to listen when each person expressed their feelings.”

“Hearing so many different stories and perspectives on being a woman leader, and how much we could all understand and relate to each other resonated with me.”

Casey Ingraham ’24

The day culminated in a workshop on self-care facilitated by Ithaca College’s director of student engagement, Mish Lenhart, highlighting the importance of personal well-being in sustaining leadership efforts.

As students departed Seneca Falls, they were provided with a copy of the book "Real Self-Care" by Pooja Lakshmin, offering additional insights and resources to support their journey towards holistic well-being.

For Lenhart, the trip exemplifies the college’s dedication to nurturing future leaders and fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, helping students return to campus as catalysts for progress.

“Students get to visit a site where activists initiated a change that eventually impacted the whole country,” she said. “Investigating the past will hopefully inspire students to stand up for what they believe in and inspire future changes in the world.”