Flash Fundraiser to Celebrate 20 Years of Women’s Leadership

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership, alumnae 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.VWIL38 for news

The 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 need not act like a man to exert control. An individual who leads as a woman 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.

The anniversary celebration will culminate during Reunion with a Scholarship Ceremony and Parade at 3:30 p.m. April 22 at the Physical Activities Center. A military flyover is planned, and President Emerita Cynthia Tyson, who founded and charted a successful course for VWIL, will deliver remarks. Alumnae will present a check to VWIL for the amount raised so far. The celebration will continue into the evening with the 20th Anniversary Military Ball in Hunt Dining Hall.VWIL20_logo

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

For more information, follow Mary Baldwin’s social media channels in the days to come.