Building a More Equitable Future

What does it mean to be empowered? It means stepping into a room with confidence, meeting challenges with resilience, and using your voice to create change. It means seeing obstacles not as roadblocks, but as opportunities to lead, innovate, and uplift others.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, three accomplished Marlborough alumnae returned to campus—sharing not just their achievements, but the challenges, lessons, and defining moments that shaped them. Their presence was a powerful reminder that Marlborough students are part of a legacy of strong women—boldly shaping the future, just as these alumnae have. 

Ava C. ’26 and Mimi V. ’26 moderated this special All-School Meeting, leading a compelling conversation with Teresa (Terry) Johnson ’85, Lauren Choi ’16, and Andrea (Dre) Taylor Lindsay ’06, each making a meaningful impact in their respective fields. From law to sustainability to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, their journeys may have been different, but the foundation of confidence, critical thinking, and community remained the same. 

Ms. Johnson ’85, a career attorney and this year’s Woman of the Year, credited her Marlborough English classes for introducing her to skills that have been essential to her legal career. “The work I did in English, in particular analysis of poetry, led me to develop a sense of critical thinking and the importance of doing close reading,” Ms. Johnson reflected. She also pointed to her athletic experiences on the basketball and swim teams for instilling valuable lessons in teamwork and collaboration. Today, she actively works to increase women’s representation across multiple industries. 

Ms. Choi ’16, an innovative entrepreneur and the 2025 recipient of the 20Y Award, traced her journey from AP Environmental Science at Marlborough to founding The New Norm, a company transforming plastic waste into sustainable fabrics. “It was one of my favorite classes,” Ms. Choi ’16 shared. “It made me really excited about studying sustainability in college. I felt excited to do something about climate change and also a great sense of urgency.” She emphasized how combining this love of science with creative skills learned in art classes provided the foundation for her entrepreneurial success. 

Ms. Lindsay ’06, who currently leads strategy and special projects for LA28 and previously served as President of Young Alumnae Council, highlighted how Marlborough’s History classes taught her to analyze data and develop new ideas—skills she now applies to bringing the Olympics and Paralympics back to Los Angeles. She also made a point to speak about the social fabric that weaves the Marlborough community together. “I’m a people person and I think people skills are something that will serve you throughout your career,” Ms. Lindsay ’06 shared. “Every job is a sales job, but every job is also a people job. Interpersonal dynamics that you learn from ordering food with your friends, or going to Larchmont Wine and Cheese, or organizing a semi-formal dance—that’s invaluable and those skills I trace back to Marlborough.” 

When Ava C. ’26 posed the question: “What are some common barriers to inclusion that women face in various spheres of life?”, the panelists shared candid insights about the subtle, yet persistent, challenges women continue to face in professional environments. Ms. Choi ’16 acknowledged the gender imbalance in manufacturing and engineering, noting that she tries not to let it bother her when she notices a vendor speaking exclusively to her male team members but not to her as the company’s founder. “I made a decision that I won’t let it bother me at any point. I stay focused on why we're there, the mission that we are representing.” 

Ms. Johnson ’85 noted that while overt barriers are less common today, unconscious biases persist.  She shared a story about winning a client simply by directing her attention to the female decision-maker in the room when competitors had focused exclusively on her male advisors. “I didn’t think about it at the time as some sort of grand feminist gesture,” Ms. Johnson ’85 said. “I just thought, ‘This is the client. I should talk to her. She’s the one who is going to make the decision.’”

Ms. Lindsay ’06 took a different approach to the word barrier. “I guess I never thought about it that way. Coming from Marlborough, I have always felt so confident. I never felt like I was leading from behind. I was able to shift the perspective and having this foundation here will give you the power to do that.” She did speak openly about the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career, but rather than seeing it as an obstacle, she reframed it as an opportunity. “Being a parent has made me better at my job. I am more empathetic, I am more efficient and can multitask, and more thoughtful about the kind of leader I want to be.”

Beyond personal success, each of these remarkable women make it part of their mission to make significant contributions to gender equality through their work. Ms. Lindsay ’06 highlighted LA28’s commitment to gender equity in athletics through initiatives like PlayLA, which aims to provide affordable sports programming to a million children in the Los Angeles-area by 2028, many of them girls who might otherwise lack access to sports opportunities. 

Ms. Johnson ’85 co-founded the Legal Alliance for Reproductive Rights, a coalition of over 70 law firms providing pro bono legal representation for reproductive healthcare access. She emphasized the importance of using legal tools and effective communication to counter misinformation in today’s political climate. 

In Ms. Choi ’16’s field, she addressed the stark reality that only 2% of venture funding goes to female-founded companies, encouraging students to persist despite obstacles. She shared valuable advice about embracing failure as part of the entrepreneurial journey, noting that society often doesn’t encourage women to fail frequently enough to innovate effectively.

When Mimi V. ’26 asked how the landscape for women has changed since their time at Marlborough, the panelists all agreed how opportunities have evolved since their time as students. Ms. Choi ’16 spoke about the growing opportunities at the intersection of fashion, technology, and sustainability. Ms. Lindsay ’06 noted the dramatic increase in women on the business side of sports, referencing Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts’ all-female management team: “He said it happened organically, he simply chose the best people for the job. I hope that you all can see that change happening and see a possibility for yourself in the sports industry in a way that I couldn’t 25 years ago.”

“I graduated from Marlborough 40 years ago,” Ms. Johnson ’85 said laughing. “So there have been huge changes since that time. It is amazing to see how Marlborough itself has adapted and changed with the times.” Despite these changes, Ms. Johnson ’85 observed that Marlborough’s sense of community and the “intellectual fearlessness” it instills in students remain constant—providing graduates with the confidence to succeed, even when they find themselves “the only women in the room.”

As the ASM drew to a close, the powerful image of students and alumnae raising their arms in the "strong woman" pose—symbolic of International Women’s Day—captured the essence of the gathering. The experiences of these three alumnae, spanning three decades of Marlborough education, remind us that International Women’s Day is more than a celebration; it is a call to action. It challenges us to honor not only the women who paved the way but also the responsibility we have to those who follow. These alumnae are proof that a Marlborough education extends far beyond campus—its impact is felt in every space where women are pushing boundaries and transforming obstacles into catalysts for meaningful change. Today and every day, we celebrate our students—past, present, and future. We celebrate their strength, their ambition, and their limitless potential.