Aurora’s Women’s Leadership Forum Attracts Record Crowd

Nearly 200 women – a record number -- gathered at CT State Capital in November for the Women’s Leadership Forum hosted by the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation.

Held in partnership with CT State Capital and the YWCA Hartford Region, the event featured a panel of professional women of color offering career and life advice; a panel of students in Aurora-funded College Success programs sharing their strategies for success; informational tables on internship and career opportunities; and breakout sessions on budgeting and financial literacy, resume writing, LinkedIn profile building and personal branding, and community resources.

The Leadership Forum was sponsored by Travelers Insurance.

“The event is designed to build networks connecting Greater Hartford-area female college students with mentors and role models,” said Aurora Executive Director Jennifer Steadman, Ph.D. “Judging from the energy in the different rooms and the feedback we have gotten from participants, the day was a huge success – from the perspective of both the students and the employers who were presenting.”

"Just to be in a room filled with so many successful, empowering, knowledgeable women who have overcome so much was a blessing in itself,” said Shamya Douglas, a member of the Aurora-funded YWCA Career Women program who attends CT State Manchester.

“The breakout session on financial wellness with Silvia Herrera-Ocampo from Liberty Bank was absolutely amazing,” she continued. “Silvia’s knowledge and real-life experiences made it possible to understand and relate to the topics she discussed. I must say that I will definitely be able to use the tools I learned – and will also share them with my son as he goes off to college this upcoming year."

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Aurora Foundation was founded by five women who were passionate about gender-focused philanthropy and increasing educational and employment opportunities for women and girls in Greater Hartford. In 2024, Aurora quintupled the funds it invested in the community and since its inception has provided support to more than 10,000 women and girls.

Aurora is grateful to the following Community Partners for their annual operating support: Ares Management; Barnes Group; the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO); Cowdery, Murphy & Healy; Eastern CT State University; Eversource Energy; Family First Life; the Goss Family; the Green & Blue Foundation; KeyBank; Liberty Bank; Max Cares Foundation; NBT Bank; Jennifer W. Pennoyer, MD; PeoplesBank; PNT Data; Pullman and Comley; Robinson + Cole; Ruel Ruel Burns Feldman & Britt; Shipman & Goodwin; Symetra; Tokio Marine HHC; Trinity College; UConn Health Disparities; The Village for Families and Children; Trinity College; Wealthspire; Whittlesey; and the YWCA Hartford Region.

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About Aurora Women and Girls Foundation

The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation was founded in 2000 by a group of community leaders who sought to lift up women and girls through focused philanthropy. Aurora galvanizes resources to increase gender and racial equity through economic security, educational attainment, and leadership for women and girls in the Greater Hartford region. We envision strong, equitable communities in which all women and girls realize their potential and are full, valued, and sought-after participants -- economically, politically, and socially.