Before the WPSP Inaugural Event

Over the next few days I am going to be adding blog posts about my thoughts on the various events at the inaugural colloquium. Friday, I am also attending a special training program for emerging international leaders and will be posting about that as well (Be patient with me though, it is finals period!)

Farah Pandith speaking at the reception

So, I want to go back and start from the first event on Wednesday night.  There was a reception for all of the students with an amazing talk by Farah Anwar Pandith, Special Representative to Muslim Communities.  I think I speak for all of the Wellesley students when I say I was so impressed by her.  Not only is she absolutely gorgeous and so spunky, but she does such impressive work! She is responsible for “Executing Secretary Clinton’s vision for engagement with Muslims around the world on a people-to-people and organizational level,” and reports directly to the Secretary of State.

What I liked most was her advice.  She gave us words of wisdom about everything from needing to volunteer, to the value of mentorship and support systems, to the value of an all-women’s education, to tips when entering the workforce. She said to wait a few years and work before going to graduate school after Wellesley (See, Mom, I told you. I hope you are reading this haha).

At the reception with Samantha Crowell '12 and Kim Quarantello '13

We then mingled amongst the five sister colleges and discussed what we were looking forward to in the day to follow. I ran into a girl who was also attending from my study abroad program in Florence Italy (she goes to Mt. Holyoke–what a small world!).

Our excitement grew even more when we learned we would have a photo opportunity with Madame Secretary (We were so surprised we would get a photo since, you know, she doesn’t have anything else important to do :P).  Video footage from the reception with  student testimonials will be up soon.

P.S. Who can guess who said this quote? “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” Comment below.