For Womxn and Other Underrepresented Genders
We have been holding this space since 2016. Inspired by the sense of community and support experienced at the CATDC's Women + Leadership annual workshop, we wondered how we might gather more often? We started by meeting in a coffee shop, reading an article together, and sharing stories. From here, we invited folks as we met them, supporting a community of Womxn and other underrepresented genders, mostly working in independent schools, in or interested in leadership.
We meet 5 times each school year. We are hosted by folks at different schools. We have a topic, a book or an article. We pull together a few structured activities, but overall, it is a time for conversation, connection, snacks and a little wine.
Our goals are to...
Encourage individuals to explore and gain comfort in leadership roles.
Provide strategies and support so individuals feel empowered to pursue leadership roles.
Create a space to talk about career challenges & goals and gain support.
Hold an affinity space for us in leadership to celebrate successes and share struggles.
Intentionally attend to our need for connection and to develop relationships with other educators.
During our September 2019 meeting, we had a conversation with a participant about the name of our Circle (Women & Leadership). We discussed how changing the name to Womxn might help our space to be more inclusive to anyone, not only cis-gender women. And then as we were planning the 2020-2021 season, we decided to define our community more broadly to include members who may identify as non-binary or as gender fluid.
Our hope is that anyone who would derive value from an affinity space like ours - a gathering for people engaged with the intersection of gender and leadership questions - will feel invited and safe to attend.