By Rachel Konieczny
Staff Writer
The women’s studies program hosted a panel discussion on women’s issues on Oct. 30 in Walsh Center Auditorium featuring four local speakers from the Western New York community.
The panel presentation, titled “Women Building Communities”, featured women leaders in the Olean and surrounding areas, including Darlene P. Miller of the Tribal Council for the Allegany of the Seneca Nation, Kelly C. Lent-Paul of HD Vest Advisory Services and Fox Financial, Kimberly L. Johnson of KA-BAR Knives and Monica Mattioli, executive director of alumni operations at St. Bonaventure University. Each speaker talked about her own career path and overcoming obstacles that women face in the workforce.
Dr. Alva Cellini, professor and the women’s studies program director at SBU, secured the speakers for this year’s conference by contacting those the university knew exemplified the professional advancement of women in their respective fields, and by reaching out to the women’s studies faculty community, notably St. Bonaventure lecturer Kathleen Premo. Cellini introduced the speakers at the panel.
Cellini said the women’s studies program, together with the panel presentation, helps students gain a deeper understanding of the “appreciation of human differences,” as quoted on the SBU women’s studies program description.
“Human values must be respected,” Cellini said. “An appreciation of multiculturalism is highlighted by the speakers. We live in a society of many cloths.”
During her talk, Mattioli encouraged students to capitalize on their strengths and embrace their differences.
“Don’t compromise your talents,” Mattioli said. “Every person is gifted. Be self-aware, not self-absorbed.”
Dr. Mary Rose Kubal, professor of women’s studies at SBU, also shared her thoughts on the panel presentation.
“Women’s studies involve learning important life skills while looking at questions of power in society,” Kubal said. “It is my hope that students and attendees of the panel will learn about the various opportunities they have, much like the strong, successful women speakers have done.”
Kubal credited her educational background in political science as an important aspect of women’s studies and its programs. She referenced the film “Miss Representation,” viewed as part of her women’s studies class, which has the famous line, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
According to Cellini, those in the women’s studies program have a variety of career paths to choose from, including politics, engineering and scientific endeavors.
Cellini said she hoped attendees enjoyed the panel. Like Kubal, Cellini said one of her goals for the presentation was for students to gain a better understanding of how to achieve success in the workplace.
“I hope that students and attendees of the panel will have a better perspective of how to face their future,” Cellini said. “The panel, while promoting the women’s studies program, also offered many tips concerning professional goals, how to achieve leadership, and being passionate about your dreams.”
Miller had a similar outlook on preparing for the future. Born and raised on the Allegany Indian Reservation, she took with her a large part of her heritage, as well as persistence, in being the voice of her people.
“I felt that I had achieved my goal by reaching the position of the head health controller for the Oneida, Mohawk, and Seneca nation,” Miller said. “Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, and you will get there. Don’t ever give up.”
