Brown Women’s Network

Bringing together Brunonian women who are interested in tapping into their shared Brown roots for their lifelong social, professional, and intellectual development.

Breadcrumb

Text reading Brown Women's Network over a light blue background with the Brown crest.The Brown Women’s Network aims to keep the 40,000+ member Brown alumnae, student, and staff community engaged with the University and each other through a variety of programming—from podcast interviews with noteworthy women of Brown, to live events throughout the year, to seasonal newsletters, and more.

The Brown Women’s Network is open to all members of the University community who identify as cis or trans women, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in spaces that center on the experiences of women.

Events

event posterQUEER(ING) PANDEMICS/QUEER-AS-PANDEMIC: A PANEL DISCUSSION

Friday, April 7, 2 p.m. ET | Register

Bringing scholars from a variety of disciplinary locations together to discuss and “diagnose” the varied intersections of queerness and contagion, this virtual symposium will consider how pandemics—from HIV/AIDS to COVID-19 and Monkeypox—have been endured, engaged, and confronted by queer and trans communities and how LGBTQ+ identifications and practices have themselves been troublingly figured as “viral” and “contagious” pandemics. Speakers include:

  • Marlon M. Bailey, Professor of African and African American Studies and of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Washington University, St. Louis
  • Mel Y. Chen, Associate Professor of Gender & Women’s Studies and Director, Center for the Study of Sexual Culture, UC Berkeley
  • Joseph Osmundson, Clinical Assistant Professor of Biology, New York University
  • Sarah Williams, Louise Lamphere Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Gender Studies
  • Moderated by Lynne Joyrich, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies of Modern Culture and Media and Director, LGBTQIA+ Thinking Initiative, Pembroke Center

Presented by the Pembroke Center's LGBTQIA+ Thinking Initiative and the Pembroke Public Health Collaborative. Co-sponsored by the Brown Women's Network.

headshots of the three panelistsINDUSTRY NIGHT: WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN

Monday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET | Register

Current students and alumnae are invited to hear from an alumnae panel who have created a business or center their work around supporting women. Panelists will discuss their career paths after leaving Brown and their work within their fields, offer advice, and explore the rewards and challenges of their industries. Breakout sessions will encourage participants to ask questions and make connections with the panelists. Panelists include:

  • Morra A. Aarons-Mele '98, global speaker, best-selling author, and strategic communications consultant
  • Yanely M. Espinal '11, author of Mind Your Money, creator of @MissBeHelpful and director of educational outreach at Next Gen Personal Finance
  • Talya Parker EMCS'19, founder & executive director of Black Girls in Cyber Security and engineer at Google

Presented by the Brown Women's Network.

ALL-ALUMNAE COMMUNITY-BUILDING EVENT: SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGH ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

Monday, May 8, 6:30 p.m. ET | Register

Join generations of Brunonian women for a discussion on ways in which we can support our own individual health and wellness, while also inspiring organizational change to do the same for others. Led by alumnae experts in wellbeing, together we will deepen our understanding of this topic and share our varied experiences at Brown and beyond. Panelists include:

  • Stephanie Catanese, MD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, Clinician Educator
  • Katie Sharkey, MD, PhD - Associate Dean for Gender Equity
  • Moderated by: Kelly Holder, PhD - Chief Wellness Officer, Warren Alpert Medical School

Followed by interactive breakout discussions facilitated by Brown alumnae.

Presented by the Brown Women's Network.

Get on the invite list

Want to get on the invitation list for future events? Make sure your alumni profile on myBrown is up to date.

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Past Event Recordings

Industry Night: Careers in Social Justice

Featuring Johanna Fernandez '93, Associate Professor, Baruch College of the City University of New York | Mara E. Gottlieb '93, President, Talking Changes LLC | Alicia Cepeda Maule '11, Digital Engagement Director, Innocence Project
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Industry Night: Journalism & Publishing

Featuring Rebecca Ballhaus '13, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal | Amy D. Barnett '91, Chief Content Officer, Outside, Inc. | Taylor V. Michael '17, Associate Editor, A Public Space | Kasturi Pananjady '19, Data Journalist, The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Industry Night: Data & Technology

Featuring Pamela K. Arya '84, P'18, Vice President of Government Programs, Iridium Satellite | Jessica Dai ’21, Machine Learning Engineer, Arthur AI | Patricia L. Riskind '88, P'17, P'24, Chief Executive Officer, Orbita (a Healthcare Conversational AI company) | Ruth L. Neighbors '95, Senior Director, Strategy, Social Edge Consulting
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Changing an Industry: Women in Television, Film, and Media

Nina R. Jacobson '87, P'23, Soledad O'Brien P'24, and Angela Robinson '92 lead a behind-the-scenes discussion on their careers, diversifying the entertainment industry, and the importance of female mentorship. Moderated by Resa E. Lewiss '92.
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Industry Night: Government and Politics

Featuring Tiara T. Mack ’16, Rhode Island State Senator, Andrea M. O’Neal ’03, Public Servant & Institutional Equity Expert, Kim Wright-King ’90, Non-Immigrant Visa Deputy Chief, US Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Fatemeh Ziai ’86, Director of Coordination for the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations at the United Nations.
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Industry Night: Climate Change and Sustainability

Featuring Noel Pacarro Brown ‘02, Investing with Impact Director, Lead of the Conscious Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, Priya R. Shah '07, General Partner, Theia Ventures, Mallory L. Taub '08, Senior Associate, Gensler, Cherise Guico Pabia '18, Business Sustainability Analyst, B Lab
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Alumnae Author Series: A Virtual Conversation with Charlene Wang '20

Join the Brown Women's Network for a virtual fireside chat between author Charlene Wang ’20 and Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Theatre Arts and Performance Studies, Barbara Tannenbaum as they discuss Wang's new book, Model Breakers: Breaking Through Stereotypes and Embracing Your Authenticity, exploring the intersection of self-awareness, identity, and minority stories.
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Women in Washington: Leading in Times of Crisis

Senior leaders in the Biden administration explore the role of women in government and how they are navigating civil rights, education, and labor challenges during times of change, uncertainty, and intense political division.
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Faculty Spotlight: Professor Nadje Al-Ali

Professor Nadje Al-Ali, Director of Middle East Studies, Robert Family Professor of International Studies, and Professor of Anthropology and Middle East Studies discusses her research around feminist activism and gendered mobilization, with a focus on Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and the Kurdish political movement.
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Industry Night: Public Health

Industry Night event offers current students and young alumnae an opportunity to connect with Brown alumnae who are leaders within Public Health as they discuss their work, including advice on getting hired, and the rewards and challenges of the field.
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Alumnae Author Series: Sunisa Manning '07

This virtual “fireside chat” featured Sunisa Manning '07 and Mary-Kim Arnold '93, MFA '98 discussing Manning’s debut novel, A Good True Thai. (May 27, 2021)
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A New Gender Equity Agenda

This virtual moderated discussion on gender equity and policy featured Jennifer Klein '87, P'22, Pamela Reeves '87, P'22 and Alex Wagner '99. (April 27, 2021)
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Women Working for Women

This virtual panel discussion featured Brown alumnae working to help other women through organizations focused on education, maternal health, human trafficking, and health/nutrition. (March 18, 2021)
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Alumnae Author Series: Amra Sabic-El-Rayess '00

Sabic-El-Rayess discussed her recently-released memoir, "The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival," and her journey from teenage survivor of the Bosnian War to Brown student and eventually college professor. (February 11, 2021)
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Faculty Spotlight: Sex Matters in Medicine

Alyson J. McGregor, M.D. RES '07 discussed tips on taking control of your medical care and treatment as well as her recently published book “Sex Matters: How Male-Centric Medicine Endangers Women's Health and What We Can Do About It.” (January 25, 2021)
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Practicing Self-Care and Laughter

The virtual “fireside chat” featured Tara Schuster ’08 and Lauren Corrao ’83, P’16. The former Comedy Central colleagues discussed Tara’s new book “Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies”, self-care, and navigating the time we’re living in. (January 7, 2021)
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Alumnae News & Stories

Alumni & Friends

Sky’s the limit for Sophie Parker EMBA’22

The former rocket launcher, military professional, and project manager turned to Brown’s executive MBA program to help propel her dream of successful—and responsible—leadership.

A celebrated past and a vibrant future

In 1891, Brown welcomed the first women to its student body. To recognize this milestone, the Brown Women’s Network honored the past, present, and future of all women of Brown with its 130 Years of Women at Brown celebration. In a series of special events held throughout the 2021-22 academic year, we paid tribute to the generations of inspiring and successful Brunonian women who have driven societal change and made a difference in the world.

READ THE RECAP

Programs & Initiatives

Women’s Launch Pad Mentoring Program

The Women’s Launch Pad pairs junior and senior class undergraduate women with Brown alumnae mentors, connecting women across generations, career paths, and all aspects of life after Brown.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WOMEN'S LAUNCH PAD

Women’s Voices Amplified Podcast Series

A podcast of incredible women from all corners of the Brown ecosystem sharing their insights on work, life, and living in today’s world. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon.

The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of Brown University.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/gcRyzn5f1jY

Latest episode

 

Entrepreneur Jennifer Gomez '08 on being a boss, building a company, and the importance of community.

Learn more about Gomez and view the transcript

Other podcast guests have included:

Alumni & Friends

Miranda ADEkoje '04: Writer, Producer, and Actor

In this episode of the Women’s Voices Amplified podcast, ADEkoje discusses producing art amidst the pandemic, the political relevance of her work, and how Brown’s Open Curriculum empowered her to construct her own career path.
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Alumni & Friends

Valerie Tutson '87 AM'90: Storyteller and Artist

Tutson reflects on the global influences that have inspired her, the healing power of stories that connect us with our past, and how her independent concentration at Brown allowed her to find her path.
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Alumni & Friends

Lorine Pendleton '91: Attorney and Venture Capitalist

Recently named one of the “50 most connected women in America” by Marie Claire, Pendleton has put her varied career experiences to work investing in and advising women and diverse-led businesses.
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Alumni & Friends

Ana M. Bermúdez ’86, P’22 on social justice in the criminal justice system

This episode of the Women’s Voices Amplified podcast features a conversation with New York City Department of Probation Commissioner Ana M. Bermúdez ’86, P’22 on the essential link between criminal justice and social justice, how her experience at Brown shaped her, and the importance of using our voices.
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Alumni & Friends

Kristin Richardson Jordan ’09: Civic leader

In this episode of the Women’s Voices Amplified podcast, Almaz S. Dessie '07 MD'11 F'17 speaks with Kristin Richardson Jordan ’09 about her recent run for New York City Council, the late-night conversations at Brown that helped shape her worldview, and what we can all do to affect change locally.*
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Alumni & Friends

Nancy K. MacLean ’81 AM’81 on the significance of understanding our history

In this episode of the Women’s Voices Amplified podcast, Ellen Hunter ’04 speaks with historian, author, and professor Nancy K. MacLean ’81 AM’81 about social movements, the state of our democracy, and how history can inform the present.
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Alumni & Friends

Lois Lowry ’58 on the power of noticing

This latest episode of Brown Blasts: Women's Voices Amplified features an interview with the award-winning author of more than 40 books, including The Giver, about her creative process, her advice for writers, her new book, and more.
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Alumni & Friends

Meg Wolitzer ’81 on the importance of fiction

This latest episode of Brown Blasts: Women's Voices Amplified features a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Meg Wolitzer that ranges from falling under the spell of a book, to why listening matters, and what she learned from working with Nora Ephron.
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Alumni & Friends

Dr. Teena Shetty ’95 MD’00 on concussions and compassionate care

In this episode of Women’s Voices Amplified, neurologist Teena Shetty ’95 MD’00 shares her thoughts on the human element in medicine, the importance of female mentorship, and how Brown helped shape her worldview.
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Women have powerfully contributed to the progress and advancement of Brown University for 130 years. There is no question that women will continue to lead and innovate within the Brown community, in our nation, and in the world. I'm thrilled that we are celebrating the outstanding achievements of women in our community.

President Christina H. Paxson
 
Portrait of Brown University President Christina H. Paxson

More Resources

Brown Women's Network Newsletter Archive

Women’s Programming Offered by Brown 

Here are some ways to stay informed, tools you can utilize for career and relocation assistance, and groups of like-minded alumni you can join to get you started.

Contact

Questions? Ideas? We want to hear from you!

The Brown Women’s Network welcomes your input as we aim to connect and engage Brown’s vibrant alumnae community. Email us for more information, questions, or submissions.

womensnetwork@brown.edu

The Brown Women’s Network is proudly sponsored by the Women's Leadership Council, a presidential advisory council committed to alumnae engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropic support of the University.

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