International Women's Day

Today, March 8th is International Women's Day, a day where we celebrate the achievements of women both past and present. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. 

We have asked our staff about the women who inspire them. Here are some of their responses:

Mary Rogers- Program Manager: England & Wales

"I admire Dorothy Day, whose life was led in fearless pursuit of social justice for workers and the poor. Her willingness to challenge the status quo and inequity in modern times is something that continues to inspire, even all of these years after her death.

Similarly, I had the honor of listening to Sister Helen Prejean at Arcadia University last fall, whose book, Dead Man Walking, was the common read for the incoming freshman class. She has spent decades advocating to abolish the death penalty, and her commitment to justice is so evident in her lively demeanor. It was a once in lifetime opportunity to hear someone so passionate speak to a younger generation and compel them to action."

Adam Rubin- Director of Institutional Relations and Enrollment Management

"I've been inspired by many women in my professional and personal lives, but I always will have a special place in my heart for my grandmother, Elsie Rubin.  Born to immigrant parents in NYC in 1914, she grew up in challenging times but became someone who balanced a full-time career and the challenges of raising the family with grace, humor, and unfailing energy.  When my grandfather retired, and my grandparents moved to Florida, my grandmother started a second career----she worked at an amusement park in Florida from the age of 65 to the age of 91.  Known affectionately as "Miss Elsie" by her co-workers, she mentored hundreds of young adults as she helped sell tickets and assisted with the bookkeeping duties.  She also traveled the world (all after "retirement"), including adventures that ranged from rafting the Zambezi River, going on safari, body surfing in Hawaii, singing karaoke in Japan, and trying to speak Hungarian with Henry Kissinger when they bumped into each other at a summer festival in Budapest."

Alison LaLond Wyant, Ed.D - Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning

"Michelle Obama immediately comes to mind. In addition to her professional success, Mrs. Obama inspires me in her grace as a mother, her good humor as a public figure, and her insistence on taking the high road."

Chanae Brown- PROGRAM MANAGER: IRELAND & NEW ZEALAND

"I admire many women but I find the courage and strength of Shirley Chisholm to be particularly inspiring. The daughter of immigrant parents, Chisholm became interested in politics after working in education and soon became the powerful force that we remember her as today. She went on to become the first Black woman in Congress as well as the first woman and first Black person to run for president. Her work to improve the communities around her and advocate for Black women having a seat at the table has always resonated with me. As I move forward in my career, I remember to remain 'Unbought and Unbossed' (her motto) while seeking to better myself and the world around me."

Michelle Isel-Margolis - Assistant Director of Student Services

"RBG- I think she goes without saying. Her career has been spent advocating for gender equality and women's rights and I truly believe that we owe so much to her. Not that the only women I look up to are on the supreme court, but being a Latina I am also really inspired by Sonia Sotomayor for being the first Latina on the supreme court & more recently Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I really think representation is so important so to have strong Latina women in these very visible political positions can truly inspire the next generations of Latinas.

And then obviously my hometown hero– Tina Fey <3 she is so true to herself, never gave up on her goals and never forgot where she is from. She gives back to Upper Darby High School and the Summer Stage program often, comes back to speak to students in the area (at Upper Darby, and I saw her at Temple) and truly inspires them. Plus she is ridiculously funny, Bossy Pants was such a good read."

Marissa Cecere - PROGRAM MANAGER: GREECE, ITALY, SOUTH AFRICA & SPAIN

"Michelle Obama has really stood out to me in the past couple of years both in the White House and still even today.  Her advocacy for education is a major highlight, but I also think she is an amazing role model to all both young and old."