AAUW Hosts "Women and Education"

Tuesday night, the Ithaca Branch of the American Association of University Women hosted "Women and Education." This Event took place at the Tompkins County Public Library. It featured Orinthia Montague, President of Tompkins Cortland Community College. Montague discussed her views on "Women and Education: Past, Present, and Future."

Most AAUW events are open to the public.

The AAUW is a worldwide organization that focuses on breaking gender barriers for women in higher education. The Ithaca chapter is currently celebrating their centennial. For 100 years they have been providing a community for women and creating spaces to foster lifelong learning. The organization is open to all women who hold an associates degree or further.

This event focused on President Montague's personal journey with being a woman of color in a leadership position in higher education. She was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States with her family when she was young. She grew up with 5 other siblings, all who went into the STEM field. Her father encouraged her to do the same, but Montague's desire to help people drove her into a career in higher education.

Featured Speaker Orinthia Montague. Credit to TC3.

"It's quite by accident that I ended up in higher education. I ended up at Truman State and it was such a good experience— small liberal arts institution where I had people really supporting me. I think in the back of my mind somehow I must have wanted to do the same thing."

Montague explained that though the beginning of her career path might have been accidental, everything leading up to her current position as President at Tompkins Cortland Community College, has been very deliberate.

"I wanted to be a part of that decision making process. You get to shape that more when you're the President of an institution. You can still be collaborative, but you get to have that vision and see it played out."

During her speech she apologized for going "off script" as she tied in recent politics to her role as a female leader in higher education. She discussed the Kavanaugh case, bringing up her own personal experience with a friend who had been sexually assaulted and never spoke out against her abuser. She said regardless of whether you believe Dr. Ford's testimony or not, to dismiss someone for waiting so long to do something is wrong.

President Orinthia Mongtague discussed many issues in her speech including recent politics.

She connected this to the students at her college. She explained many are not the typical 18-21 year old age group you see across college campuses, but they should not be taken any less seriously as a student because they waited "too long" to receive an education.

Montague also discussed how talking about higher education in terms of gender is important. She believes that being educated about other women leaders who came before her inspires her to empower others.

"It's the power of influence and once you can influence you can impact change." says Montague.

While on the topic of politics, Montague mentioned her frustration with the lack of female leaders in the United States political system.

"We've not had a female president in the United States which is interesting because we have countries that we consider third world, that are on their that are on their first, second, maybe third female leader. It's so very interesting for us to be this evolved country and yet we still try to put people in a box."

Montague hopes that with her role at TC3 she can help create a "trickle up" effect with females in leadership. She hopes to see a day where females and minorities won't have to wonder if they are being judged off their qualifications or subjective means.