10 Years of Impact

The Women’s Advancement Initiative empowers women to thrive in the Hartford College for Women tradition. For ten years, we have helped women navigate their college journeys, embrace opportunities, and advance their personal and professional development through the LEAD program.

In 2022, we hosted our annual symposium to celebrate the innovative research and creative projects of Dorothy Goodwin Scholars. Together, the 12 scholars and their faculty mentors shared engaging presentations on a variety of topics, including: a gene editing platform that models rare diseases; wastewater treatment programs; a digital stethoscope and portable chest-cavity sound trainer; workshops with high school students about international relations and their global impact; a comparison study on segmentally adjustable vs. conventional thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO) for individuals with motor disabilities; investigating Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors for aircraft video tracking; graphic design for workbooks; oral histories documenting medicine in America; and much more. Since 2010, the Dorothy Goodwin Scholars Endowed Fund has provided more than $215,000 for this groundbreaking program. We celebrate and honor the legacy of Dorothy Goodwin, who provided this generous bequest.

We are thankful for the individuals and foundations that are committed to helping women be impactful in their lives and communities. This past academic year, our organization awarded the first-ever Debbie Javit “Javy” Resiliency Award to Tyanna Stewart ’24 and Amelia Hamlin ’25. The $1,000 scholarships were presented by Women’s Advancement board member Debbie Javit ’83 (HCW) and will be given annually to LEAD students. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Dan Marshall, the Irene Robinson Marshall Scholarship was awarded to Katrina Jakab ’24. Dr. Dan, a 99-yearold doctor who retired as the oldest practicing physician in America, established this endowed scholarship in memory of his wife. In addition, since 2009, Peggy Donovan has provided more than $120,000 to women engineering students through the Robert E. Donovan Endowed Scholarship Fund. For several years, the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation has awarded a college completion grant to support the LEAD program. Members from their board of directors also facilitate LEAD sessions. We appreciate and celebrate the philanthropic spirit of our supporters.

In the fall, we welcomed 18 women faculty and staff to the ninth cohort of the Laura Johnson Leaders program. This two-year leadership and professional development program fosters a sense of community, enhances leadership, and honors the legacy of Laura Johnson, third dean and first president of Hartford College for Women (HCW). Miss Johnson personified leadership and instilled confidence in the many HCW students whose lives she touched. Since 2008, there have been 144 Laura Johnson Leaders and more than 20 percent have gone on to advanced leadership roles. In addition to establishing a new cohort, four program alumnae received the 2022 Laura Johnson Leadership Award for honoring Miss Johnson’s legacy and empowering others. Congratulations to: Meaghan Murphy-Rennie, former assistant director of Education Abroad; T. Stores, associate provost for Faculty Affairs; Margaret Tarampi, assistant professor of psychology; and Stacie Wentz, head cross country and track and field coach.