The inaugural Women of Canisius induction ceremony celebrated the more than 500 women who join the prestigious group as graduates of the Class of 2017. Those in attendance received a “Women of Canisius” pin presented by their chosen mentor during the ceremony on Tuesday, May 16 in the Montante Cultural Center.
Canisius seniors, Kate Anticoli ’17, chair and vice president of student programming for the Undergraduate Student Assembly (USA) and Christina Estime ’17, diversity chair for USA, shared the importance of female mentorship and fellowship in their lives and during their tenure at Canisius.
“One of the most valuable aspects of being a woman at Canisius is the friendships you cultivate,” said Anticoli. “For me, the future lacks structure, and I don’t know what is coming next. However, I do know that this network of Canisius alumnae, of friends and mentors, will always be here, and I am incredibly grateful for them.”
Estime added, “I stand before you today and I can tell you that I am graduating Canisius, knowing that there is nothing that we can't conquer. Despite the very concrete effects of sexism, racism, classism, and intolerance in general, I know that we have the power to do what we must.”
During her keynote address, Jill Syracuse`83, member of the Women’s Leadership Council, explained that the thought behind the Women of Canisius is to provide a lifelong network of alumnae who will support members as they write their life’s stories – women who will be nearby as a friend, a colleague, and a mentor.
“As you graduate from Canisius, you leave behind the buildings and the campus you have known so well but you enter a virtual environment filled with Canisius grads that are willing to support you as you move ahead in life,” said Syracuse. “The spirit of this college lives in the faces of alumnae you will meet. That spirit is what the Women of Canisius embodies and reflects in actions and in words.”
The Women of Canisius is an all-inclusive initiative that leverages the individual and collective expertise of distinguished and influential women to involve and engage alumnae and students, faculty, staff and friends of Canisius. The Women of Canisius serves to help women strengthen their connection to the college by providing the personal and professional support necessary to prepare them for leadership roles at the college, in their chosen fields and in the community.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the organization, please contact the Alumni Engagement Office at 716-888-2710 or at @email.
View more photos from the Women of Canisius induction ceremony here.
