Gender Equity Initiative Connects Students to Opportunities in the Field
Skylar Walker ’21 of Sister to Sister, left, chats with Lauren Gretina, Bard's Title IX Coordinator and Dean of Civil Rights, at the Gender Equity Leadership Initiative's mixer at the Hessel CCS Museum. Photo by Robin Kaiküll '26.
The Center for Civic Engagement's Gender Equity Initiative Leadership Program recently hosted a mixer at the Hessel CCS Museum, gathering together students and representatives from local organizations to foster partnerships and explore opportunities that address gender inequity. The initiative was launched in 2023, seeking to connect students with partner organizations that support them so they can build leadership skills within the gender equity field.
"It's about creating pathways for students to explore careers in gender equity and we're focusing on both nonprofit spaces and entrepreneurship, said Erin Cannan, Vice President of Civic Engagement at Bard and Director of the Gender Equity Leadership Initiative.
Representatives from several organizations were present, including the League of Women Voters, Working for Women, and the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Phoenix Laxton, Program Specialist at the LGBTQ+ Center, highlighted the importance of strong partnering. "It's important to network, especially with colleges. We’re rebuilding, and collaborations like this help us re-establish connections in the community,” they said.
Jenn Woo, a student intern for the Gender Equity Initiative said she was glad to have new partners in attendance, in addition to those already connected. “We have a bunch of new partners here. We hope local communities get excited about the initiative, offering internships or training for our students,” she said.
Cannan announced future plans to deepen connections between Bard's Gender Studies program and the initiative. "Our hope is to eventually develop a certificate program, integrating academic and co-curricular elements to enhance student engagement in the field," she said.
“This is just the beginning of many future partnerships,” said Cannan. One example of that was Working for Women, represented at the event by Beth Jones, who spoke about creating economic opportunities for women.
Gender Equity Leadership events will continue throughout the semester, culminating in a large community partner event in November, where the team plans to expand its network and foster even more opportunities for students and local organizations.
Learn more about the Gender Equity Leadership Initiative
Post Date: 10-23-2024