COMMversations Forum to focus on the new narrative of women

COMMversations, a Bay Path student-directed event in partnership with the Springfield Museums and other  community collaborators, will explore the new narrative of women and those who are working through this COVID year to define a future for all. 

Springfield’s own Ta’Nika Gibson, who has found success on Broadway, will be this year’s featured speaker. Hailed by the Boston Globe for “her clear and ringing voice,” Ta’Nika Gibson is a gifted actor, singer, and voiceover artist and has recently played the title role of “Laurey Williams” in the historical all African-American production of Oklahoma!, Deena in a production of Dreamgirls, and the title role of Aida in the musical Aida by Elton John and Tim Rice at The Strand Theater in Boston, MA.

Bay Path University President Sandra J. Doran, JD, student speakers, and other local community advocates will share their thoughts about the new narrative. “Together, we will  affirm women who have stepped up and stepped out  to move forward with ‘positive productivity’ despite the pandemic,” stated Janine Fondon, Bay Path’s Chair of Undergraduate Communications and curator of the Voices of Resilience: Intersection of Women on the Move exhibit at the Springfield Museums. “We are on various paths to advance women in our region, state and country and we need to support the relevant, inclusive work that will make a difference to women and to our communities -- present and future.” Allison Zaczynski, Bay Path Student Newsroom Editor adds, “I am incredibly excited that the Bay Path community is joining together at the end of a difficult year to highlight positive moments, teamwork, and gratitude for others.”

The event, scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 and beginning at 7:00 p.m., will also include the Bay Path Student Newsroom  COMMunity Awards, recognizing Bay Path students who lead by example in creating environments for students to thrive and grow. The awards will focus on the Bay Path University 2020 theme, “Own Your Now,” and will celebrate the way students have ‘owned their now’ and triumphed in a year filled with challenges.

The community is invited to attend this free, virtual event; advanced registration is required. For more information, and to reserve your virtual seat, please visit baypath.edu/COMMVersations2020.

COMMversations 20202 is powered by the Bay Path Student Newsroom, and the COMMunity Awards Night is sponsored by the Bay Path Communications Club, NAMIC New England, Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center, Bay Path's School of Liberal Studies and Undergraduate Communications, and a host of collaborators.

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 About Bay Path University

Bay Path University was founded in 1897. With locations in Longmeadow (main), East Longmeadow (Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center), Springfield (MA), Sturbridge (MA), and Concord (MA), Bay Path’s innovative program offerings include traditional undergraduate degrees for women, The American Women's College on-ground and online, the first all-women, all-online accredited bachelor’s degree programs in the country; over 40 graduate programs for women and men, including doctoral degrees; and Strategic Alliances, offering professional development courses for individuals and organizations.  Bay Path’s goal is to give students confidence in the fundamentals of their chosen field, the curiosity to question the ordinary, the leadership to show initiative, and the desire to make a difference.