32 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2024 WOMEN LEADERS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW school news e Sisters of St. Joseph Women’s Leadership Program has been dedicated to enhancing the leadership skills of young women at Aquinas. Comprised of juniors and seniors, these students commit their time twice per month during lunch hours to empowering discussions. e students focus on current issues while keeping a keen eye on the future of women. is past semester, the women engaged in conversations surrounding the skills women need in leadership roles. Participants began by identifying their personal strengths and areas for improvement. ey then cra ed strategies to enhance these weaker areas. To track their progress, each student maintained a journal for ve weeks. Weekly entries included the speci c situation they faced, the strategy or tip they applied, the rationale behind their choice, the outcome, and re ections on whether an alternative strategy might have been more e ective. At the end of the journaling period, the group came together to share one of their entries, fostering a supportive environment for growth and learning. Participants learned and practiced various skills, including: MINDFUL BREATHING: Many women found that practicing deep breathing in challenging or tense situations helped them gain clarity and lower their heart rate. OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION: By eliminating distractions and focusing on one task at a time, participants were able to tackle di cult tasks more e ectively. BUILDING SELF-ASSURANCE: rough clearer self-expression, positive self-talk, and maintaining faith, participants became more certain of their abilities. BOOSTING CONFIDENCE: When students dedicated their time and e ort to practicing a speci c sport, preparing for a presentation or test, or working on a homework assignment, they felt less nervous and more prepared, thereby boosting their self-esteem. REDUCING SELF-COMPARISON: Focusing on personal values and morals helped participants alleviate the pressure of comparing themselves to others, resulting in improved self-perception. Sharing and discussing journal entries enabled participants to learn more about themselves and identify areas for improvement. ey found writing to be a valuable tool for self-re ection and growth, and were encouraged to continue journaling to support their personal development.
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