Mandel School Impact Series: Resilience and Reflection—Stories That Inspire

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Add to Calendar: Add to Calendar 2025-03-05 12:30:00 2025-03-05 14:00:00 Mandel School Impact Series: Resilience and Reflection—Stories That Inspire Event Description In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, join us as we spotlight recent remarkable alumnae authors who share their stories of resilience, empowerment and transformation. This event brings together alumni, students and the broader community to connect and share their passion for learning and growth. Our authors include: Minou Michlin (SAS ’69), author of I Kept Walking: The Unlikely Story of a Persian Woman with Polio, whose powerful memoir chronicles her perseverance through physical and cultural challenges to build a fulfilling and impactful life. Penny Christian Knight (SAS ‘84), author of DEVELOPING RESILIENCE: Secrets, Sex Abuse and the Quest for Love and Inner Peace, a compelling account of her emotional journey of sexual abuse from childhood into her maturing years where she also experienced spousal emotional abuse. Joanna Hardis (SAS ’96), author of Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Own Way, a practical and compassionate exploration of navigating anxiety with intentionality and acceptance. Moderator: Leah Alexander-Leeks (SAS ’21), author of Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-Esteem & Confidence, explores the intersection of race, culture, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status on the development of a young girl’s self-esteem and confidence. Lunch will be provided for all in-person attendees. Mandel School | Noble Commons 11235 Bellflower Road Cleveland, OH 44106 OR Zoom Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences America/New_York public

Event Format: Hybrid

Event Description

 Collage of the four speakers' headshots

In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, join us as we spotlight recent remarkable alumnae authors who share their stories of resilience, empowerment and transformation. This event brings together alumni, students and the broader community to connect and share their passion for learning and growth. Our authors include:

  • Minou Michlin (SAS ’69), author of I Kept Walking: The Unlikely Story of a Persian Woman with Polio, whose powerful memoir chronicles her perseverance through physical and cultural challenges to build a fulfilling and impactful life.
  • Penny Christian Knight (SAS ‘84), author of DEVELOPING RESILIENCE: Secrets, Sex Abuse and the Quest for Love and Inner Peace, a compelling account of her emotional journey of sexual abuse from childhood into her maturing years where she also experienced spousal emotional abuse.
  • Joanna Hardis (SAS ’96), author of Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Own Way, a practical and compassionate exploration of navigating anxiety with intentionality and acceptance.

Moderator: Leah Alexander-Leeks (SAS ’21), author of Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-Esteem & Confidence, explores the intersection of race, culture, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status on the development of a young girl’s self-esteem and confidence.

Lunch will be provided for all in-person attendees.

Event Location

Mandel School | Noble Commons

11235 Bellflower Road

Cleveland, OH 44106

OR

Zoom

Silhouettes of many faces "International Women's Day 8 March"