I had a wonderful time celebrating Anne Jardim ’13HD on her 90th birthday — and the extraordinary legacy she helped create at Simmons University.
Decades ago, Anne and Margaret Hennig were asking questions about women, work, and leadership that much of the business world had barely begun to consider. Their groundbreaking book, The Managerial Woman, examined women’s experiences in the workplace and the barriers they encountered on the path to leadership. Together, they helped build a pioneering model of management education at Simmons — one that recognized women’s experiences, developed their talents, connected them to one another, and prepared them to lead.
As a scholar of women and leadership — and as co-author of Arrive and Thrive — I feel a special connection to that legacy. The Managerial Woman helped name the challenges women encountered as they entered management and leadership. Decades later, Arrive and Thrive asks another important question: How do women not only arrive in positions of leadership, but thrive once they get there?
Different generations. Different workplace contexts. But a shared commitment to expanding what is possible for women as leaders.
Anne’s legacy lives on in the remarkable School of Management alumnae who are leading organizations, building businesses and careers, opening doors for others, and making an impact across sectors.
It was especially meaningful to have so many members of this community together again. As we look toward the future of management education at Simmons, we deeply value their experience, wisdom, engagement — and their trust.
And to our School of Management alumnae: you are an important part of our history — and an important part of our future.
One of the ideas I shared during the celebration was Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
And this week, I found myself thinking: We are because of Anne.
We are because she had the courage to ask different questions about women and leadership. We are because she helped create a community where women could learn, lead, and open doors for one another. And we are because generations of women carried that work forward.
We are because of Anne — and what a remarkable legacy that is.
Happy 90th birthday, Anne. Thank you for all you have made possible.