On March 25, Ithaca College held its 20th annual Women in Leadership Experience (WILE) retreat as part of the Women Leaders Series, a month of personal and professional development programs for college women student leaders. The retreat gives students an opportunity to learn about the historical experiences of women in leadership and how their experiences can help guide the next generation of female leaders.
The daylong WILE retreat, titled “Peace and Love through Activism,” began at the Women’s Rights Museum in Seneca Falls, New York, which in 1848 was the home of the first women’s rights convention. The museum features a series of historical artifacts illustrating the story of the struggle for women’s civil rights, human rights, and equality, as well as how these global issues persist today. This was followed by a visit to the Wesleyan Chapel next door, which was a local hub for antislavery activity, political rallies, and free speech events.
Following the chapel tour was a lunch and panel that included Ithaca College faculty and women from the Ithaca community. Moderated by Jasmine Williams ’25, the panel included Chrystyna Dail, associate professor of theatre studies; Rachel Wagner, professor and coordinator of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and philosophy and religion; and Katie Church, cofounder and codirector of the Youth Farm Project.
