Campus marks International Women’s Day
Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and accomplishments.
Wilkes-Barre campus community shares thoughts on International Women’s Day
Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and accomplishments.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre is proud to have inspiring, influential women representing every level of its diverse campus community, from students to faculty, staff, advisory board members, and campus leadership.
To collectively honor International Women’s Day, individuals at Penn State Wilkes‑Barre shared thoughts and stories recognizing women’s unique contributions in their lives, both personally and professionally. The empathy, generosity, strength of character, perseverance and wisdom exhibited by mothers, world leaders, colleagues, children, and close friends were just a few of the attributes that the campus community reflected upon when asked.
Name a woman who inspires you. Why?
Rianna Karalunas
Part-Time Financial Assistant/Bursar
“My mom, Sharon, inspires me every day. She raised my sister and me as a single mother from when I was seven 7 years old on. I didn't realize it until I was much older, but she worked two jobs, cleaned houses on the side and sacrificed all she could to make sure we had everything we needed and the same experiences as all our friends. I remember being in my late teens when I finally realized the truth: We were poor when I was younger. Because of her hard work and diligence, I never knew it. She encouraged us to work hard and to go to college. My sister and I are first-generation college graduates with doctoral and master’s degrees, respectively. Now, as a mother, I can truly understand what she provided for us and continues to provide for us. Despite being retired, she cares for my son twice a week so that we don’t have to worry about childcare, and she still would go without so that any of us could have what we need. She is truly an inspiration to me and I will forever be grateful for her generosity, encouragement, and determination.”
Jacqueline Warnick-Piatt
Alumni Relations and Stewardship Officer
“Rose Kennedy: For dealing with all the triumphs and losses in her life. She lived to age 102; when asked how she did this, she said she dealt with everything when it happened.
My mom, Ann: Worked for 48 years as a professional, career waitress. Her customers still call her to keep in touch. She still touches so many lives.
My daughter, Dana: She followed and continues to follow new dreams.”
Susan Hay
Instructional Designer
“I think that one of the women I admire most is Jane Goodall. She did groundbreaking work in her field when it was unheard of for a woman to be a primatologist in Africa. She is the world’s foremost expert in chimpanzees, and is a leader in protecting them and their habitats. She has also spent decades as a leading environmental activist and animal welfare champion, among other causes, and she’s never let the fact that she’s a woman hold her back. She has dedicated her entire life to the issues she believes are critical to our planet, establishing organizations and educational programs to inspire others to continue her work. I guess you could say she puts her money where her mouth is.”
Tyler Pace
Systems Administrator
“My daughter, Ainsley, is a great inspiration, helping me to recognize the differences women face in comparison to men. Having the opportunity to hear and see things from her perspective has been influential in my day-to-day life and decisions.”
This year, the campaign theme of International Women’s Day is “#EmbraceEquity.” What does this mean to you?
Jane Ashton
Director of Continuing Education
“A mindset that all women are embraced by society and nurtured to achieve their greatest potential.”
Chloe Inniss
Second-year aerospace engineering student
“#EmbraceEquity for me means that we may embrace the things that others think we are not capable of, all while us women know we can do so much more than what others expect of us.”
Alex Ellsworth
Admissions Counselor
“Personally, I learned a lot more about equity from Penn State’s recent BUILD training. Being fair and being equitable are different. When we really embrace equity, we do more than make everyone part of the conversation; we allow everyone to bring their own story to enrich the conversation.”
Women: What is your proudest achievement?
Janine Becker
Director of Enrollment Management
“Personally, it’s my daughters: two strong women in their own rights. Professionally, it has been being able to help men and women by mentoring them to grow in their careers.”
Christyne Berzsenyi
Multidisciplinary Studies Program Coordinator and Professor of English
“Not having children so that I could focus on developing my career during which I have mentored women, wrote a book that included gender inequities, and was promoted to full professor so that I may be better able to impact women in whatever ways I can.”
Jennifer Henniges
Director of Strategic Communications
“That I continually work to treat everyone with kindness, generosity of spirit and integrity. There is no greater achievement.”
