Students and faculty welcomed a new tradition at Grier with the first Women in Leadership Speaker Series on Friday, September 19th. Students gathered in the Peggy Dring Dance Building that night to listen to the enlightening words of two women in medicine: Dr. Jolene Moyer and Mrs. Patti Bickley.
Dr. Jolene Moyer, a podiatrist at UPMC Elite Orthopedics, and Mrs. Patti Bickley, a nurse at Altoona Lung Specialists, shared their experiences in the medical field and as mothers of their own Grier Girls. Dr. Moyer explained what her career entailed and shared many of the barriers she faced to get to where she is today, including being the first woman resident in her residency at UPMC.
Both Dr. Moyer and Mrs. Bickley emphasized the importance of community in completing school, working, and raising children. Mrs. Bickley specifically referenced the vital role her family played while she went back to school to earn her MSN and FNP at the Pennsylvania State University.
These accomplished women were a great start to the Speaker Series. They understand the amazing community at Grier due to their connections to this school and were glad to be able to share insightful information with the students. “I very much loved the power of women’s education,” Dr. Moyer said, “and so I think this is a wonderful starting point for you girls to create a network in different fields.”
The talks not only inspired students but encouraged them to think deeper about their future. The speakers shared many tips for young women to get started as soon as they can. For example, Dr. Moyer shared the importance of shadowing professionals whenever you can and trying to narrow down what you want to focus on in the future. They both shared valuable advice for women looking to get into STEM and for any students working towards any fields. “I would say go for it,” Mrs. Bickley shared, “Because there’s such a lack of providers, nurses, all different medical jobs. There’s a lack right now.”
All of the students took something valuable from these talks, and getting to hear from such successful women was a great opportunity. “Something that inspired me is how much they loved their job and also the fact that they get to help people in their job, because I think that’s something I really want to have with my job when I’m older,” Maddie Starling ‘28 said. “I think it’s really important to have an impact in what you do as your profession.”
The new program expanded upon Grier’s foundation of sisterhood but also on traits like perseverance and grit. Seryne Zahrouni ‘33 said, “My biggest takeaway that I got is that women with determination will always get their way.”
This new speaker series provides students with an incredible opportunity to network, learn more about a variety of professions, and hear more about what the professional world entails for women in leadership. “And the idea is that we learn from these sisters, because we’re all connected in a sisterhood as women,” Head of School, Kara Lawler, said, “So I expect for our girls to learn more and more about different career opportunities, different internship opportunities, and different opportunities for mentorship.”
There will be six more talks throughout the year for students to look forward to. They will hear from women in a variety of professions, and get a chance to network with some of the most accomplished women in the surrounding areas. There is so much for our Grier girls to take away from this series as they develop into the women who will be leaders in their own time.
