STRIVE Spring 2017

STRIVE

Christina Law Press Secretary / Editor in Chief2

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As college students, we are always looking for the next opportunity to further our careers. It may be scary going for those opportunities since we don’t know what to expect, but as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, we have to “look fear in the face.” Otherwise, you will never know what will actually work out for you and lead to your success. Being a part of Women in Business, you are exposed to various resources to help you gain the skills and confidence needed to take on the different opportunities and challenges that may arise. I want you all to keep in mind what you have learned throughout this semester and use that to your advantage. I know you all have the strength, courage, and confidence to go for those opportunities. Thank you to all of our members for all of their efforts to make Women in Business what it is. They do not go unnoticed so continue to do what you do. Also, thank you to all of our sponsors who continue to support us in all of our projects. Our success would not be achieved without everyone’s efforts.4

- MICHELLE OBAMA 5

By Bernarda Deoliviera6

For the second year in a row, Women in Business hosted our “I didn’t know that I could write, that I could be an author, that Ifundraising event R.I.S.E. Each letter stands for qualities we have a voice.”- A teenage girl who participated in a Girls Leadingwant to celebrate and encourage in women - resilience, inde- Our World (GLOW) camp in Liberia. 3pendence, strength, and empowerment. Both years we’veraised money to help support organizations that also seek to Education has the power to change the course of a girl’s life, andsupport these qualities in females globally through access to open up a world of opportunities they wouldn’t have been ableeducation. Last year’s fundraising of nearly $800 went to the to reach before. As female college students, we sometimes don’tMalala Fund, an organization started by global girls’ education even realize the privilege we’ve been granted to be able to get toadvocate Malala Yousafzai. This year we raised $700 that went where we are. We need to remember to give back when we cantowards Michelle Obama’s “Let Girls Learn” program. These and help empower our sisters worldwide.organizations strive to help remove blockages to girls’ educa-tion; a cause that we as female college students want to raise ____________________________________________________awareness for and support in any way we can. 1. https://letgirlslearn.gov/about/The school-wide fundraising event took place on Thursday 2. https://www.peacecorps.gov/about/global-initiatives/let-girlsMarch 9th this year. Baruch students were greeted on the -learn/where-we-work/second floor of the Vertical Campus with upbeat music, W.I.B 3. https://www.peacecorps.gov/stories/glow-empowers-girlsmembers holding posters advertising R.I.S.E, and a wide assort- -transform-themselves/ment of sweets and raffle prizes. As members went aroundcampus selling the baked goods to other students, they Photo source:informed them on the goals of “Let Girls Learn” and what their https://www.peacecorps.gov/about/global-initiatives/let-girlsdonation was going towards. Towards the end of the event, -learn/where-we-work/activities with other Baruch club cosponsors were held like ascavenger hunt and a henna tattoo table.“Let Girls Learn” was started in 2015 by Michelle and BarackObama with goals to encourage and fund agencies, such as theU.S Agency for International Development and The PeaceCorps, to invest in programs that expand educational opportu-nities for girls of all countries.1 There are many ways in whichthese agencies work to help the cause, but let’s take a closerlook at the specific work done by the Peace Corps.Here is a map of all the countries where Peace Corps Volunteersare working to “Let Girls Learn.” The volunteers work with thecommunities in these 44 countries on projects in economicdevelopment, English education, health, youth development,agriculture, and education. Projects can be anything from atechnology camp to building school latrines, all efforts are tohelp work with these communities to create a society that allowand support girls’ education.2 7

FEATURED POEM To My Little Black Girls8

To my Little Black Girls,With tightly coiled curls,Noses spread across their faces,Eyes dark showing the depth of life’s places.To the full lipsAnd earth bearing hipsCocoa Goddess that never seems to be enoughThis is to my Little Black GirlsWho’s inherited crownIs embroidered with her mother’s insecuritiesTaught how to keep a man without a fatherHow to keep a smileWhile crying insideTaught how to protect our brothersWhile competing for affection from our mothersAnd never being good enough to marryBut the burdens of motherhood they carryThis is to my Little Black GirlsToo loud to be taken seriouslyToo sassy and a little smart-assyToo dark to be beautifulToo fat to be acceptedThis is to my Little Black GirlsWho grow up to be Big Black GirlsStill battling inherited insecuritiesAnd internalized racism.For the Big Black GirlsWith straighten curlsEuropean nosesDefined lipsTight hipsModified to be disqualifiedRunning a race you lost from birthYou are Mother EarthYour skin more coco than butterYour style more duplicatedMay your soul be emancipated. 9

Behind the Poem10

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BY RINA BEGUM change? Before WIB alumnas’ discussed why they decided to come back to WIB, they took us back to the moment when theyWhen we enter college, we head towards a specific direction, had joined the club.whether we know where it leads or not. Some follow a businesstrack, a science track, a teaching track, etc. Whichever way we Like many of us, the panelists would just go to class and then gochoose to go, we all work on attaining knowledge and sharpen- home. But as Cristina DiCocco mentioned, she wanted to geting our skills for the field we want to work in. But one of the best more involved in club life instead of trying to catch the trainways to help us prepare for our career path is advice. Advice right after class to go home and her search led her to WIB. Thefrom people who have graduated and has experience in the main component that had attracted the panelists to WIB wasworkforce. Earlier this semester, the alumni committee held an the female empowerment that shined from the club. Susingevent called “From WIB to the Workforce.” The committee con- Yang mentioned that WIB helped her get out of her comforttacted WIB alumnas’ and worked hard to organize this event for zone and encouraged the guests to use this opportunity to meetguests to take a peek in the workworld. others and improve their own qualities. Members of WIB encourage one another to seize opportunities and our panelistsThe panelists who kindly took time out of their busy schedule to helped remind us that even after graduating, one can alwaysgive us some insights of the workforce were Candice Chatter- come back to continue encouraging new members and evenpaul (Office Coordinator at Authentic Brands Group), Elizabeth give us a few tips for life after college.Ramdass (Senior FX/MM Specialist at Mizuho Bank), CristinaDiCocco (Account Assistant at Persona PR), Susing Yang (Enter- When giving us some tips, Candice Chatterpaul gave us a veryprise Client Success Manager at DailyPay) and Salma big one on self-empowerment. She said “do not settle forMohammed (Corporate Analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co.). As anything less, know that you deserve more.” While paneliststhe panel begun, we asked the alumna’s questions that lingered shared their experiences after college, they reminded us thatour mind such as why is it important to come back to WIB? we will have competition and not everything will go the way weWhat are some tips for entering the workforce? What are some plan it to go. Elizabeth Ramdass talked about the time duringskills needed to succeed post college? If they could go back andchange something during their college life, what would they12

her senior year, when some people already knew where theywere going to start working after graduation and she did not.However, she pointed out that it is okay to not know becausethere will be future opportunities; life isn’t planned. So whenwe do get a job offer, we need to be able to see if it is good fitfor us and understand that we do not have to settle for less thanwhat we know we deserve. We will have many opportunitiesand choices, it is up to us to make the ones that will make ushappy. As important it is to help women empower otherwomen, it is just as important or even more, for women toempower themselves.Some of the skills that the panelists stated were communica-tion, teamwork, flexibility and time management. They hadused all of these skills during WIB and emphasized how import-ant they are in the workforce. Each committee in WIB have towork together to be able to meet deadlines which requiresmembers to communicate with one another and to lend ahelping hand when needed. Salma Mohammed mentioned thatwhen she was organizing the events for WIB, she had to be ablecommunicate with everyone and even though times werestressful, she liked seeing the event come together. All the pan-elists work in an environment in which they have to be able toget along with their co-workers to work on projects together, tobe available outside of their shift and to communicate withtheir co-workers if they need help or their clients to help themto the best of their abilities. The panelists also highlighted thateven in the workforce, we have to know that we are just asimportant as anyone else and that our voices should be heardjust as much.“Travel.” All panelists agreed that one part of college that theymissed out the most was traveling, whether it was throughcollege or on their own. After college, we will not get all thesebreaks that we get now so trying to travel then will be difficult.Baruch offers many travel opportunities that some studentsforget to take advantage of. There is no better way to openone’s mind about culture and how someone’s life in Asia differsor is similar to their own than to have experience it themselves-.If students do not have the ability to travel, they can alwayshelp out through donations or volunteer work in organizationsthat help people in developing countries. No one ever said thatyou can only empower the people in your school or workplace,you can empower anyone around the world. 13

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BY ERIKA BARAHONA EXECUTIVE TREASURER 2015-2016 You have heard the famous phrase of “You only live once.” Although it is true, sometimes life hits us with very difficult situations and we forget what’s more important to us: happiness. Throughout my entire life thus far I’ve learned many lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today. In all honesty I am grateful for everything, even those difficult situations. Stay reading this to find out some of key lessons that helped me get through life and hopefully it can help you too.20

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NO LIMIT TOGREATNESS When I first joined Women in Business, I was a timid face lost amidst a crowd of people who had the courage to stand up and voice their opinions. I was a sea of ideas - blazing embers that wanted to escape - but my mouth would never open to let those words be heard. Women in Business became my home the moment I spoke to Genna, the former Executive Vice Presi- dent, on a cool fall afternoon in the club room. I remember dragging my friend along with me because I was too afraid to enter alone, too afraid to voice my excitement over a club that meant the world to me. Yet, on that day, I knew that Women in Business would become my home. I spent the better part of the year in Genna’s committee, burning with a desire to be a part of the bigger picture of Women in Business, but too shy and too afraid to jump at the chance to make WIB my home. I was a face present at most events, but too silent to be noticed. Can you ever call a place home if there was no trace of you in it? My WIB mentor, Vivian Teoh, heard of my desires and pushed me to join a new committee in the fall semester. She encour- aged me to reach out to other board members and to run for board if I thought I was ready. Women in Business meant so much to me that I knew I always wanted to be a part of the bigger picture. Did I think I was ready? Yes. Did I run that year? No. 25

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“...the only limitations Iexperienced were theones I placed on myself”The one thing I learned in that year of living in the shadows of President of Member Development. My goal is to ensure thatWomen in Business is that the only limitations I experienced every member who feels much like I did in the beginning in thewere the ones I placed on myself. Why wasn’t I more vocal at shadows recognizes that they are not alone. The one thing thatevents? Why didn’t I connect with more members? Why didn’t makes Women in Business such an amazing organization is thatI approach the board? Fear has a way of taking over your life it gives you the environment to make mistakes and grow as youand eating away at the armor that you so valiantly wear. go along.When I came back this year, my sophomore year, I decided that So push yourself; make yourself uncomfortable. Stand up in ait was finally my year I will bring my voice to Women in room full of people and speak. Let your thoughts be heard. YourBusiness. As soon as applications were out, I applied to four dif- heart might pound so hard you can hear it in your ears, yourferent committees I had wanted to be involved in for a year now hands might shake so hard you think they’ll never stop, and yourbut had been too afraid to try. Was I afraid of rejection? Yes. voice might tremble, but you will come out knowing that youEvery human being is afraid of being rejected. The difference accomplished something you once thought you couldn’t do.this time was that I knew regardless of whether all four VPswould reject me, I put myself out there and made sure that I Now is the time to make mistakes. Now is the time to stumblegave it my all. If you want to know my secret, what allowed me and fall. It’s okay because you are surrounded by people who areto pursue those positions, The secret is remembering there is going through the same journey as you. They are also stumbling,no limit to greatness. also falling, but most importantly also getting up and moving on. While on your journey, remember this: you are an individual fullCheesy? Yes. Is it true? Most definitely. You, my dear reader, of greatness. Never compare your journey to anyone else’s. Itare full of potential and are capable of doing anything you want doesn’t matter if someone achieves their goals today and youin this world. Whether you read this article as soon as it comes achieve yours tomorrow. What matters is that you hit the finishout or you stumble upon this when cleaning your closet five line, no matter how long it takes. Remember that even if youyears from now, know that if you set your mind to something stumble, it is better to have tried and failed than to remain won-you can achieve it. dering what could have been.In a year, I went from a face lost in the crowd to being the Vice 27

------------------------------------------------------------------- We asked our cosponsors about empowerment and they shared their stories of times they felt they made a difference (big or small) in someone’s life. INTERVIEWED BY TIFFANY LIAO28

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The thing I love the most about my commit- tee is the people I work with. Farrah is one of the most understanding and helpful people I have ever worked with. I feel comfortable speaking with her about anything and she has guided me very well. Melissa is such a hard- working person and incredibly fun to work with. I couldn't have asked a better partner. I feel lucky to have gotten the opportunity to work with these two amazing ladies. - Aesha Shrestha I love the team effort of our committee. We get to share ideas and plan events together - both of which have definitely helped me grow as an individual person. - Samira Prima30

The Member Development Committee was What I love about working in the POW com-my first approach to club life in college. It mittee is how much I have grown because ofstrengthened my ability to work in a team as it. As a shy freshman, I had applied for 2 posi-we pieced together the powerpoints for our tions that didn't have much involvement inevents. Most importantly, it has helped me to planning POW, but my VP (Devanshi) sawdevelop my communication and presenta- potential in me and had offered me a positiontion skills. that I thought I wasn't experienced enough for. With her push, I ended up taking the - Chloe Huang position and I'm grateful that I did, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone andThe Professional Events committee has not forced me to grow in the most positive way.only helped me grow as a person but also Now I am more social and active within WIBbrought out a side of me that was hidden along with being involved in another club.prior to joining WIB. My VP Devanie is the None of this would have happened if it wasn'tone who pushed me out of my comfort zone. for my committee and the people within it.While I was once too shy to speak in front ofa large audience, she had me lead the pre- - Denise Rojassentation for one of the events along withanother member. Our team works together Being in a small committee made it easier toeffectively so one person is never stuck with be close to my VP, Orquidia. She pushed meall the work, feeling overwhelmed. Working throughout the whole year to get out of mywithin this committee has been a great comfort zone. Through her leadership skills,learning experience and I’ve acquired new she taught me the importance of makingskills as well as new friends. myself known and meeting new members at every event. Through all the tasks she - Jaspreet Kaur assigned me, she helped me further develop my own leadership skills.Being a part of the Publications committeeallowed me to work with amazing writers and - Amy Molinait also gave me the opportunity to personallyinteract with other members within WIB. In The way in which the Style Your Success com-February, Jessica Acero was nominated the mittee collaborated to put together SYS andMost Valuable Member and I had the chance now the gala is truly something special— theto interview her. Throughout the interview, I committee is the epitome of teamwork. Nogot to know more about her and her journey one is limited to just the tasks of theirin WIB. It was also new experience for me position; each girl is always willing to lend abecause for the first time I was the one asking hand to fellow members. When my co-headthe questions. of decor and I needed help setting up deco- rations before the show, every girl that - Dilshoda Kurbonova wasn't busy with another task was pitching in to make sure the show went off without a My favorite part of the Philanthropy Commit- hitch. This committee has proven to be a tee is it allows me to give back to the commu- group of girls who have learned to mesh and nity and support different organizations that I put their heads together in order to achieve have an interest in. I feel like it has helped me their goals. grow both professionally and personally. - Caitlin Quain - Shakira Karimbaksh 31

BOARD MEMBERS SPRING 201732

33 ------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------VERDE -------------------------------------- --------------------- EXECUTIVE SE ODRIGUEZ ------------------------------ ---------------------- EXECUTIVE TR EASURER | ORQUIDIA R CRETARY | ANDREA VALSHI SHAH--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ERASTA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------- EXECUTIVE V ---------------------- EXECUTIVE PR ICE PRESIDENT | DEVAN ESIDENT | FARRAHLEE G

------------------------------------------ UIRI------------------------------- 34S | NOOR JAVED ------------------ VP OF CO | YESSENIA MIZHQ ---------------- VP OF ALURPORATE RELATION MNAE RELATIONSA MOHAN ---------------------------------------------------------- | DEVANIE RAMN ARINE -------------------------- ----------------- VP OF MA ---------------- VP OF PRORKETING | SABRIN FESSIONAL EVENTSE DIOP ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ---------------- VP OF PHIL INA LAW -------------------- --------------------- PRESS SE ANTHROPY | THIAL CRETARY | CHRIST

NDRAISING | KARE ------------------------------------------------------------ VP OF FU N QIU --------------------------35G ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP OF GR ------------------------------------------------------------ VP OF ME SANCHEZ -------------------APHICS | AMY LIAN NTORSHIP | KATH ------------------------------------------ NO ---------------------------------A BURCHICI -------------- ------------------ VP OF PUB NT | KENDRA LOJA ------------------ VP OF MELICATIONS | DIVN MBER DEVELOPME

INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE These members have gone above and beyond in their work and dedication towards not only their committies but the organization as a whole. Learn more about them below. Read their full interviews on our WIB blog.36

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