VWIL 20th Anniversary Events in Full Swing this Spring

April promises to be a big month for the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) and its alumnae as the community prepares for a 20th Anniversary celebration next month and alumnae kick off a fundraiser to support the corps of cadets.VWIL38 for news

Mary Baldwin President Emerita Cynthia Tyson, who founded and charted a successful path for VWIL, will deliver the keynote address at the VWIL Scholarship Ceremony and Parade at 3:30 p.m. on April 22. A military flyover is planned for the special ceremony to take place at the Physical Activities Center. The annual military ball will follow at 7 p.m. in Hunt Dining Hall.

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership, alumnae also have set up a fund to celebrate both the accomplishments of the past 20 years and contribute to the future of the program. The goal is to raise $7,500 between now and April 22. More information will be available via Mary Baldwin’s social media channels in the days to come.

The fundraising effort — spearheaded by Karen Bailey-Chapman ’99 and Katherine Brennan ’03 — is part of a yearlong observation of the founding of VWIL, which officially launched on August 22, 1995, with the matriculation of the first class of 42 cadets.

With its inception, VWIL introduced a new class of leader into the military and civilian landscape: A citizen soldier who leads — whether it’s in the field or in the boardroom. In 20 years, the program has earned a reputation nationally as a premier leadership development program for women and has become a model of success for other programs with similar aims. Hundreds of corps alumnae have excelled in military and civilian leadership roles.VWIL shot for news

The VWIL 20th Anniversary Fund will provide unrestricted support that will be used where Mary Baldwin needs it most, providing vital resources for the operating budget and helping keep tuition down and academic standards up.

There will be different gift levels with perks tied to each. The giving levels include:

nULL — $20

Cadet — $50

Corporal — $100

Sergeant — $250

Class Congress Chair — $500

First Captain — $1,000