Phenomenal Women: (left to right)
1. Rachel Oden, 2. Gladys Andrews, 3. Francesca Ciolino-Volano, 4. Deplesha McGruder, 5. Mariah Bullock, 6. Shanna Graham, 7. Dr. Marva Gumbs-Picou, 8. Danna Wood Webb, 9. Cheryl Wills, 10. Cynthia Gresham, 11. Hon. Kathie Davidson, 12. Marilyn Ward Ford, 13. Melanie Schnoll-Begun, 14. Anna Velez
New York, NY/March 16, 2015 — On March 14, 2015, the “Phenomenal Women of Power” breakfast was held at Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). The breakfast came as a result of Dr. Melvin Douglass and Dr. Gay Bullock wanting to bring together the collective strength and ingenuity of women for greater educational, economic and social impact. The choice to have the event at MCNY was spurred by the work of its founder, Audrey Cohen. Cohen developed an educational institution that provided black women from impoverished communities with a way to be gainfully employed in health-care and human services for the purpose of improving their communities. The- breakfast celebrated phenomenal women who have shaped modern life and provoked dialogue that inspired action.
At the breakfast, Dr. Vinton Thompson, president of MCNY; Mrs. Wendy Cohen, Vice Chair Person of Board of Trustees and daughter of late Audrey Cohen; Dr. Melvin Douglass, Trustee; Ms. Beth Dunphe, MCNY Chief Development Officer, gave the welcome. After breakfast, the guests moved to a nearby room for an open discussion in which honorees led the dialogue and provided insightful perspectives on the principal issue: To what extent does gender play in accessing the American dream? Dr. Gay Bullock served as the moderator.
The first panel of phenomenal women discussed “Is it a myth or reality that women have to think and behave like men to be successful in corporate? What does the behavior of corporate success look like?” The discussion was led by HONOREES: Wendy Cohen, Vice President and Director of Wealth Advisory Marketing for Morgan Stanley; Melanie Schnoll Begun, Managing Director and Head of Wealth Management Philanthropy Management group at Morgan Stanley, Marilyn Ford, Professor of Law at Quinnipiac University School of Law, Racquel Oden, Head of Advisor Strategy and Development for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Depelsha McGruder, Senior Vice President for Centric, BET.
The second panel of phenomenal women discussed “Are girls being steered away from math and science towards disciplines that require nurturing because of a belief that women are natural born nurturers? How do we get more girls involved in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines and dispel this idea if it limits options?” The panel discussion was led by HONOREES: Cheryl Wills , New York 1 Reporter, Marva Gumbs Picou, NYC principal, Gladys Andrews, an Educational Consultant for Bridges Data and Professional Development, Inc., Francesca Ciolino-Volano, Adjunct Professor in the Basic Education Department at Nassau Community College and Adjunct Lecturer and College Supervisor of Student Teachers at Queens College, and Anna Velez, former High School Guidance Counselor. The youth perspective was provided by RISING STARS: Mariah Bullock, a graduate of Howard University and Shanna Graham, a graduate of Penn State University.
The third panel of phenomenal women discussed“Do women have the power to change the direction of government, not just the face? What should we expect from a woman leader like president?”The discussion was led by honorees: Judge Kathie Davidson , first African American woman elected to a county-wide judgeship in Westchester County and the third elected to Family Court in the State of New York; Dana Webb, former Associate Dean of School of Social Work at Columbia University. Cynthia Gresham, Director of Rehabilitation at the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans, Queens.
The discussions were lively and provocative. The honorees received awards from MCNY President Thompson, Trustees Wendy Cohen and Melvin Douglass.
Dr. Douglass and Dr. Bullock have partnered with Metropolitan College of New York to raise awareness and funds for The Dr. Melvin Isadore Douglass Scholarship for Urban Education. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students going into MCNY’s Masters of Science in Education is a one-year intensive program that certifies teachers for positions in New York City schools in grades K-6 in both childhood and special education. It is the first at MCNY dedicated to students in the Masters of Science in Education program, and the first fund established by an African American man at the College.
Their work in the field of education extends beyond MCNY. Dr. Melvin Douglass and Dr. Gay Bullock established YOUniversity Bound to make college a viable option for all students. Dr. Douglass and Dr. Bullock believe unpreparedness and financial limitations are the two biggest obstacles to students getting a higher education. Since college is the prerequisite for a better life, YOUniversity Bound serves as a conduit to getting students to college by advancing preparedness and increase financial possibilities.
About Metropolitan College of New York
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, MCNY was founded in 1964 as the Talent Corps by Audrey Cohen, an educational visionary and activist. Through development and training for new professional positions, the Talent Corps created employment for thousands of people. It became The College for Human Services, later Audrey Cohen College, and today Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). MCNY continues the tradition of offering highly motivated learners an education that combines applied skills and professional knowledge to effect personal transformation and positive change in the workplace and community. MCNY is a not-for-profit, accredited, independent college. Full year-round offerings accelerate degree completion, and a unique approach to learning permits close integration of workplace activities and study. MCNY is conveniently located in Hudson Square/ SoHo at 431 Canal Street, NY, NY 10013. For more information on MCNY, visit www.mcny.edu or call 800.33.THINK.
Contact: Tina Georgiou – Metropolitan College of New York – tgeorgiou@mcny.edu
