Courage and Compassion: Celebrating Women's History Month

 

March is Women’s History Month. Growing up in a family with six sisters and a selfless, compassionate mother shaped my life beyond measure. I am forever grateful for their support, encouragement, and friendship. During my time as an undergraduate at Temple University I had the great fortune to meet my wife Deanna. She has been a constant source of love and inspiration. It has been the honor of my life to partner with her in raising our strong, confident, and caring daughter Lauren. I am enormously proud of the woman she has become.

I encourage you to use the occasion of Women’s History Month to recognize, celebrate, and thank the women in your life. Without doubt, there are influential women from family members to friends, teachers, professors, caregivers and countless other roles who have helped you become the person you are today.

This year’s official theme for Women’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” At Commonwealth University, we have many exceptional women working to promote and advance these ideals. I am grateful for the work they do every day in service to our students and our communities.

Women throughout history have been indefatigable champions for equality and fairness. Let us be reminded of their brave spirits as we continue the good work they started to ensure that our places of learning, working, and living are warm, welcoming, and open to all.

Inspirational leader and changemaker Malala Yousafzai said, “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard…We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” To our students, I say keep raising your voice in support of your future and those around you. Use it to lift up the women in your life and look for ways to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that you do. You have the power to challenge and change the status quo—just as so many women before have done.

Finally, as we celebrate Women’s History Month take a moment to reflect on the women who have made a difference in your life and those who have made a difference in the world. Think about the courage and compassion they have shown in their support for you and through their efforts to make the world a little more kind and welcoming. Let’s challenge ourselves to follow their example and act with both courage and kindness. And remember that courage looks different for all of us. In the words of writer Mary Anne Radmacher, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

 

Celebrating our Courageous and Compassionate CU Students 

A group of CU-Mansfield students in the lab

CU-Bloomsburg students volunteering at the annual Big Event. 

The talent of our CU-Lock Haven student-athletes shines on and off the field. 

 

Providing Healing, Promoting Hope

During the last several weeks the world has witnessed the unjustified invasion of a sovereign nation as Ukraine faces attack by Russia. Television and social media bring us images of the horrors of war that inflict both physical and emotional trauma to Ukranians of all ages.

Please keep the Ukranian people and their loved ones abroad in your thoughts. Not knowing the fate of your loved ones is agonizing, especially when they are faced with such difficult choices—fleeing their homes as refuges, or staying behind to fight for their country and freedoms.

Television icon Fred Rogers said, “in times of crisis look for the helpers,” That sentiment rings especially true today. I think of the image of strollers left at a Polish train station for Ukranian refugees and their children. It’s an image of neighbors helping neighbors—helpers in action.

Leaving your home for a foreign land is not easy. When I left my native Syria to come to the United States it was incredibly difficult, but a decision that gave my family hope for a better future. Fortunately, I had a strong support system, including my teachers who helped me bridge the language barrier as I learned to speak English at age 10. I was blessed to find the helpers.

In March we celebrate Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.”

The theme represents the countless number of women, who as medical doctors, nurses, soldiers, counselors, clerics, teachers, and mothers worldwide, have stepped forward to provide healing throughout history and certainly during the ongoing global pandemic.

We’re also seeing that in Ukraine with female doctors taking care of the wounded, or the mothers who are desperate to protect their children and keep them out of harm’s way. We’ve seen teachers in underground shelters working to keep children safe and focus their attention on stories and learning while hoping the attacks will soon come to an end. We need to be eternally grateful for the sacrifices women around the globe have made for others. In story after story, they are the helpers.

    Bashar W. Hanna, President

Women’s History Month

I couldn’t let March fly by without paying homage to the women who have shaped my life.

First, my mother, who passed away at the age of 84, one week after my inauguration as president of Bloomsburg University. Mom epitomized selflessness, she sacrificed more for my father, sisters, and me than any one person should. The gifts of empathy, sincerity, and above all selflessness that I carry with me today are possible only because of her.

My six sisters, without whose support nothing would be possible. The courage and reassurance they provide allow me to carry on and persevere regardless of circumstances. I lean on them more than a sibling should. Without exception, they have always been there. 

Our lives have been colored with highs – weddings, births, high school and college graduations, Ph.D. conferral – and our share of lows – cancer X4 (which took mom away), strokes, heart attacks, death (dad in 2011 and mom in 2018). Through all the highs and more importantly, the lows, the seven of us had and will continue to have each other.

My college and Ph.D. mentor, Dr. Nina Hillman – who saw something in me that I never saw in myself. I am grateful to her every day for not giving up on me and guiding me through my undergraduate and doctoral years.

My life partner, Deanna whom God guided into my life while we were undergraduates at Temple University. She has been and continues to be – my rock, my best friend, my patient partner and an insightful sounding board. Without her, NOTHING would be possible.

Last and certainly, not least, I have the honor and privilege of being Lauren’s father. She has taught me more about life and the world than she will ever know.

In closing, I honor the legacy and life lessons learned from these strong women by being empathetic, altruistic and to serve with a servant-leadership mentality.

Sincerely, 

        Bashar W. Hanna, President