From Bruin Belles events that we host such as Women’s Leadership Conference, Winter Retreat, and Play Day to events that we attend such as Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, Challah for Hunger, LAB School events, and more, there is always an event to look forward to during the year! The Women’s Leadership Conference is one of the most empowering events, not only because we hear from incredibly accomplished and inspiring women, but also because we create a safe space for open discussion among attendees. These conversations make us cognizant of our commonalities, differences, hurdles, and strengths as well as reduce stigma around issues that too often are not discussed. The conference this year was entitled “Rooted and Reaching”. I personally interpreted this theme as a reminder to embrace individual and collective strengths and values that come from each woman’s roots and how they have propelled her through obstacles to develop resilience in the pursuit of her goals. The conference unites Belles and other UCLA attendees as students, as leaders, and as women. There is a sense of solidarity and optimism for progress upon closure of the event. These two feelings can be applied in various ways to many of our other events. Play Day is rooted in optimism for the future of the kids in the Boys and Girls Club of LA. By playing sports and doing activities with them, we hope to leave them with positive feelings toward college, education, and healthy lifestyles. After all, they may not remember exactly what we talk about, but they will remember how their day at UCLA made them feel as a reflection of college. Those feelings go two ways as Belles are left with fulfilling memories of these events that define their college experience.
Jenny Rodstein
Distinguished Belle
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