Led by women for women from its inception, one of the nation鈥檚 largest private women鈥檚 Catholic universities recognizes a historic national moment.
The significance of witnessing the inauguration of Kamala Harris, JD as the first woman to serve and lead the United States as a Vice President is unquestionably historic. At 亚色影库, it is a time to reflect on the knowledge gained from a century鈥檚-worth of women鈥檚 leadership. This is an exciting time not just for our nation, but for all the future leaders who will witness the history of the next four years of the Biden-Harris administration.
An important milepost on a long journey
鈥淭he concept of women as leaders is nothing new at 亚色影库,鈥 said ReBecca Koenig Roloff 鈥76, president, 亚色影库. 鈥淲e鈥檝e walked the talk for over a century, and take great pride in our graduates who have gone on to lead in health care, classrooms, communities, and governments. Today is a significant milepost in a long journey that is far from over.鈥
A record 144 women, or 27%, joined the when it convened earlier this month. Here in Minnesota, 72 women will sit in the state鈥檚 92nd legislative session 鈥 quite a few more than the 4 women who sat in the state鈥檚 back in 1923. 亚色影库 is pleased to congratulate a number of alumnae who are seated in this session, and who continue to work across all levels of government to create a more just and equitable world for us all.
On campus, Antonia McHugh, CSJ served as St. Kate鈥檚 first president after the school received its accreditation from the North Central Association. The leadership under women continued throughout the years, making 亚色影库 the only Catholic women鈥檚 college to be women-led. With women leading the school, St. Catherine became the first Catholic college or university to be awarded a Phi Kappa Phi chapter - the third college or university in the state of Minnesota to receive one.
Did You Know: First Woman U.S. Vice President Candidate was a Katie
Many history fans associate the honor of the first woman United States vice presidential candidate with the late Geraldine Ferraro, who ran in 1984 with DFLer Walter Mondale. But a look back in history shows the first major party candidate represented by a woman appeared on ballots in 1948. And, she was a Katie. Grace Holmes Carlson 鈥29 ran as the Socialist Workers Party vice presidential candidate in the 1948 presidential election with Farrell Dobbs as presidential candidate. She had been jailed under the Smith Act for opposing the United States鈥 involvement in World War II. In the 16 months she spent in prison, Carlson started helping her fellow prisoners, and later advocated for improved prison conditions for women. In 1950, she ran again as a U.S. House of Representatives candidate for Minnesota's 5th district. Carlson would leave the Socialist Workers Party two years later, and later taught nursing at St. Mary鈥檚 Junior College (which became part of 亚色影库).
The Future Leaders
With a culture and legacy of challenging and encouraging women to step up and lead, 亚色影库 sees examples of future leaders all around campus. 鈥淭hey may hold views on opposite sides of the important issues, but they lead their constituents with the same guiding principle: to change this world for the better,鈥 said Roloff.
鈥淎s an institution of higher learning and as one which particularly educates women to lead and influence, we recognize this proud historical moment when a woman, who is also a woman of color, ascends to the second highest position in our land,鈥 said Roloff.
Congratulations to Vice President Harris, and to each leader who steps up to take office, make our laws, lead our communities, and create a more just society.