![\"WIB](\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/school-of-business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/1636566200320-300x225.jpeg\")
\u201cI saw the group was passionate about showcasing the strength and successes of women in the business world, which was great,\u201d Vaishali explains, \u201cbut I thought something was missing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, despite the challenges brought on by the continued pandemic, WIB offered and hosted some impressive and popular events virtually and on Clark\u2019s campus during the fall semester. Among the list were numerous guest speakers, career-oriented discussions and webinars, and attendance at area conferences. Vaishali, though, wanted her group to learn more about the challenges that women can face, in or out of business, and she wanted to do this in some hands-on way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was given the chance to serve as the WIB president, I wanted to make the group about<\/em> and for<\/em> our members, highlighting not just the successes but also hear the stories of the unnoticed struggles they confront,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaishali and the club\u2019s vice-president, MBA student Eesha Kashif, did some research and found Living in Freedom Together (LIFT) in Worcester. LIFT Worcester offers shelter and support toward a new way of life for area human trafficking victims, most frequently women. The cause immediately resonated with Vaishali, who has been involved in service activities since she was a teen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have been involved in community engagement since my high school days,\u201d she states. \u201cI have interned for the United Nations’ global movement #HeforShe, where I executed the launch of an online gender parity and women safety campaign. In addition, I am currently involved in Clark Amnesty International as their social media chair. We work hard to raise awareness about corporate accountability and human trafficking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaishali was told that LIFT was looking for volunteers for its \u201cLift Up the Holidays\u201d fundraiser, and she jumped at the chance. Together with six other members of the Women in Business club, they attended the event to support LIFT\u2019s leadership with logistical matters, and perhaps more importantly, engage with victims through conversation and crafting activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHearing their stories first hand was eye-opening,\u201d she says, noting that she won\u2019t share any details out of respect and organizational policy. \u201cThese were gorgeous faces with heartbreaking experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women in Business vice president, Eesha, also took part in the event. \u201c<\/strong>My time at the LIFT Worcester event was humbling more than anything else,\u201d she states. \u201cI felt like I was surrounded by a community of women just like myself \u2013 strong, compassionate and willing to lift each other up despite facing adversity. The event taught me that community matters more than anything else, and the best way to live is by helping those around us and spreading joy through our words and gestures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vidhika Mathur, fellow MBA student and WIB treasurer, agrees. \u201cIt was almost overwhelming to see the survivors and to see these strong community leaders standing up for them and helping. It was inspiring for us young leaders to take part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaishali is always mindful of the Clark WIB group\u2019s mantra, \u201cNevertheless, she persisted.\u201d As the club’s president, she plans to continue to highlight the perseverance, passion and power of women. Toward that goal, she is hoping to collaborate with LIFT on a larger scale through a newly established volunteer partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI proposed a Clark WIB x LIFT Student Ambassador Program in which Clark WIB members and other Clarkies on campus could volunteer or possibly intern with the organization on a project-by-project basis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaishali and her peers are also planning a full slate of activities for the Women in Business club. After launching a WIB web site and the LIFT Ambassador Program, the group will host a Women\u2019s Week of activities starting March 1 in honor of International Women\u2019s Day. Another large event in the works is a collaboration with School of Business’s American Marketing Association (AMA) club to conduct a three-day conference in early April around business, marketing, and other fields. It will be open to all students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a busy but exciting semester!\u201d Vaishali adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ______________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n WIB students who took part at the \u201cLift Up the Holidays\u201d fundraiser:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaishali Menon, Masters in Public Administration (MPA) – President ~Authored by Meredith Galena<\/em> For many students, winter break is a time to relax and get away from school-related assignments and activities. While a number of students do travel back to their home states or countries, Vaishali Menon, MPA student, stayed local and saw the winter session as a perfect time to continue her work with Clark University\u2019s Women in Business club.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":4709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"WIB](\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/school-of-business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/WIB-team-with-LIFT-300x225.jpg\")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/school-of-business\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/Painted-Coasters.jpg-1-300x170.png\")
Eesha Kashif, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) – Vice President
Vidhika Mathur, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) – Treasurer
Rubina Pradhan, Masters in Science, Business Analytics (MSBA) – General Secretary
Sonal Makhija, Masters in Science, Marketing Analytics (MSMA) – Event Coordinator
Prabhjot Gulati, Masters in Environmental Science and Policy (MESP) – Event Coordinator
Ankita Dhankani, Masters in Science, Marketing Analytics (MSMA) – Social Media Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n
School of Business Communications Specialist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"