Courage and vision make her “phenomenal”

By: Megan Furtado
Posted In: Features

What really makes a woman “phenomenal”? Is it her looks, or her successes? Is her talents or achievements? Is it her ability to stand her ground in the face of danger? Or is it her ability to see beyond the confines of what society thinks she is capable of?

On March 26, members of the Salve Regina community met in the Ochre Court Dining Room to honor four women whom they felt exemplified the very concept of a “phenomenal woman” at the Fourth Annual Celebration of Salve’s Women of Courage and Vision. Each year, four women, holding positions as members of faculty, staff, the community, and the student body, are nominated by their peers for these awards. This year’s recipients were Mary Kay Connell (Staff), Sr. Johnelle Luciani, MSW, Ph.D. (Faculty), Susan Rizzo (Community), and Kathryn Murphy ’05 (Student).

Amidst purple-draped tables, brightly-colored sunflowers, and portraits of famous women’s rights advocates like Gloria Steinham and Catherine McAuley, the Salve community applauded each of these very deserving women as their peers who nominated them spoke of their talents and dedication to Salve Regina and the community as a whole. Each woman received a beautiful plaque to commemorate her award and the event.

In addition to the speeches of the recipients and their peers, the community was entertained by members of the Bishop McVinney Regional School. Six girls, lead by Ms. Erin Hanna ’02, performed the choral readings, “Phenomenal Woman”, “Harriet Tubman”, and “Ain’t I a Woman?” Their choreography and spirited diction clarified a message that was already difficult to miss.

The four recipients were all very gracious and humbled by the honor of being named Women of Courage and Vision. Mary Kay Connell, as a staff member of the University Health Services, said that she accepted the award, “not only for me, but for the entire Health Services Department.” Sr. Johnelle Luciani, head of the Social Work Department, took her moment at the podium to “accept this award in the name of women who are able to stand tall in the face of adversity.”

Susan Rizzo, a member of the Salve community and the mother of Andrea Rizzo, a Salve alumni, stated that she thanked her daughter most of all for showing her that anything was possible. Andrea had overcome childhood cancer, neurological difficulties, and learning disabilities before she was killed in a car accident in 2002. Susan said she accepted the award for all of the people who had helped her through the tragedy. “In that moment that her life and mine took that tragic turn, the community took that turn with us,” Rizzo told the crowd.

Kathryn Murphy ’05, the student recipient, seemed the most nervous when she approached the podium, first to announce winner Mary Kay Connell, whom she had nominated, and then to receive her own award. An advocate for awareness in domestic violence and a volunteer at the Potter League for animals, Kathryn is an aspiring nurse practitioner.

Her words of wisdom summed up the sunny afternoon’s message perfectly:

“People come into our lives every day. But I think a higher power brings certain people together,” Kathryn said, smiling shyly at the assembly. “Salve Regina has been one of the best things to ever happen to me in my life. I want to thank you all. God bless.”