Names: Emily Hayes (President), Alyssa Scordo (Treasurer), Haley Benbrook (Marketing) Club: Lean In
HC: For those people who may not know, what is the premise of Lean In?
Lean In: Lean In is a club based off of the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. The book (and the club) focus on women’s empowerment and development in the workforce. Along with discussing issues such as unequal pay for women, and double standards women face in the workforce and in general, the club will focus on networking, resume building, and how young women should conduct themselves in the working world in order to be successful.
HC: What made you want to start this club?
Lean In: We wanted to start this club because as the Dolan School of Business continues to grow and become even more popular among young women, we wanted there to be a club that specifically caters to women. Although this club is for all young women who attend Fairfield University, not exclusively to business students, we feel all young women will need to learn to take a stand at some point in their careers. We wanted to be a resource for our peers to have a chance to network with successful business women, and discuss the importance of women taking the lead in any career they are pursuing, regardless of the field they are in.
HC: What is one part of your mission as a student run organization that you are most proud of?
Lean In: We would say the part of our mission we are most proud of is empowering women in business. Although young women are typically just as qualified as their male peers for jobs, they may hold themselves back in the professional world, since society often teaches women to take a back seat in the workplace.
HC: One goal you guys have for the year?
Lean In: Since this is Lean In’s first year as a recognized club, our goal is to grow our membership as much as possible, and host events our members feel opened their eyes and made a difference in how they view women in the business world, and overcome external barriers for women.
HC: How do you wish to change the outlook of our female student body on becoming business professionals?
Lean In: We hope to empower young women to feel prepared and confident when they answer the workforce.
HC: In a world where women are still looked down upon in the workplace (despite the major feats we have accomplished as a gender), what do you guys wish to teach your members to change this?
Lean In: That it’s okay to be known as a strong, feminist woman who wanted to be treated equally for the work she has put into her job.
HC: How do you guys define feminism?
Lean In: We think sometimes people get the wrong idea about feminism, thinking that feminists are man-haters. That is not what being a feminist means. We would personally define feminism as women who are not afraid to be strong and independent inside and outside of the work place.