Our Mission
The Women and Leadership Alliance is a joint endeavor to support and promote student programs at the Claremont Colleges that will highlight issues faced by women in leadership in business, government and the professions.
How We Began
In 2010, students at CMC approached Sarah Smith Orr, then Executive Director of the Kravis Leadership Institute, to address the need for female leadership mentors on campus. This led to the creation of the first Women & Leadership Workshop, designed to support all Claremont College students in preparing for post-graduation opportunities and careers. The workshop also connected students with successful women leaders from fields such as law, non-profits, entrepreneurship, finance, consulting, entertainment, education, government service, marketing, and healthcare. Building on the momentum of the workshop’s success, the Women & Leadership Alliance was born.
In 2016, Susan and Thomas Handley generously made a pledge to establish an annual fund that would expose Claremont College students to the experiences of women professionals in various fields and help forge relationships between students and professionals across industries and generations. Today, this fund provides an annual budget which supports the Women and Leadership Workshop as well as other programs focused on women and leadership.
Who We Are
Currently, our programs are organized and led by representatives from the Kravis Leadership Institute, Berger Institute for Individual and Social Development, and the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights at Claremont McKenna College. However we welcome and encourage involvement from all of the educational institutions in Claremont and our annual programs are available to students, faculty and staff across the Claremont College Consortium.
Afghan Dreamers and Storytelling for Social Change
Monday, March 31, 2025
5:30 - 8pm (Dinner will be provided)
Location: Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum
This Athenaeum dinner and film screening event featuring award-winning journalist, filmmaker, author, and changemaker Beth Murphy offers students a unique opportunity to:
- Discover the inspiring journey of Afghan teen girls who defied expectations, mastered robotics, and became a global symbol of resilience and hope.
- Gain insight into Beth Murphy’s connection to Afghanistan and the impact of her work.
- Engage in an open-ended discussion and Q&A with Beth Murphy about her career and experience with storytelling.
The Power of Social Impact Storytelling
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
12 - 1 pm (Lunch will be provided)
Location: Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum
Join us for an inspiring Athenaeum lunch discussion featuring Beth Murphy and Izzy Murphy, a young changemaker leading the charge for girls in rural Afghanistan through her organization, GLAM (Global Local Athletic Movement). GLAM fosters hope and resilience for girls navigating life under Taliban rule. This masterclass offers students a unique opportunity to engage and explore:
- The role of storytelling in driving social change
- Strategies for using media to amplify voices and create a lasting impact
- Case studies demonstrating how to turn awareness and outrage into inspiration and action
