Mary Talks Round III: Concert Hall

Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 11:15 am - 12:15 pm

Music Arts Center, Concert Hall

Mary Talks — our version of TEDx talks — spotlight alumnae, faculty and staff as they speak about their passions and how they hope to change the world in ways big and small. Each block showcases a lineup of presenters sharing personal insights, big ideas and bold perspectives on issues that matter to women. You’ll leave informed, inspired and energized.

From the Appalachian Trail to Rear Admiral: A Journey I Never Expected | Elizabeth Train ’78, Rear Admiral, US Navy (Ret.)

If you told Elizabeth Train ’78 in college that she was a good candidate for the Navy, she would have laughed. She took a gap year after high school to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. After college, she ran an outdoor outfitter for five years, thriving in a job she loved. Train then made a decision that surprised her. She walked into a Navy recruiter’s office — and embarked on a challenging journey as a woman.

Organizing Hope: Community, Resistance and Resilience | Madison Scalf ’24, M.P.P. ’25

This talk explores political activism, community organizing and advocacy through Madison Scalf’s journey as a Queer woman in Virginia politics. In a time of political uncertainty, Scalf will share lessons from the field and offer accessible strategies for resistance, solidarity and hope — empowering us to act together for a more just future.

Help Me: I’m Only Pretending To Be Perfect | Shené V. Owen Ph.D. ’24

We live in a world that values appearances and achievement, and many of us feel pressured to pretend to be perfect. “Help Me: I’m Only Pretending To Be Perfect” explores the emotional toll of perfectionism, the mask we wear to control how we’re perceived and the cost to our mental health, relationships and sense of self. This talk invites us to let go of unrealistic expectations and find freedom in imperfection.

Aligned Healing: An Integrative Approach to Mind-Body Wellness Through Talk and Somatic Therapy | Pamela A. Waitkus ’94, Ed.S. ’95

Explore how integrating talk therapy and somatic practices fosters deep, whole-self healing. Learn how emotional insight from psychotherapy and body-based techniques (somatic therapies) help release stored trauma, regulate the nervous system and support lasting wellness aligned with oneself.