TinaMarie Lugo Speaks on Community and Sustainability at Women’s HerStory Month Launch

Sajja Ranjit ’29

News Editor

Purple decor, pastries and conversation filled the Rittenberg Lounge in Mather Hall on March 4 as the Women and Gender Resource Action Center (WGRAC) kicked off Women’s HerStory Month with its first event, Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future, featuring TinaMarie Lugo.

The event featured desserts and pastries catered by Bloom Bake Shop, a women owned bakery located on Pratt Street in downtown Hartford, adding a community oriented touch to the evening. 

Laura Lockwood M’95, Director of WGRAC, started out the talk by discussing the theme for this year’s Women’s HerStory month, “Leading The Change: Women’s Leadership for a Sustainable Future.” Lockwood encouraged attendees to think broadly about the meaning of sustainability. Quoting its definition, she described sustainability as, “the development or practices that meet certain needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet them.” Lockwood emphasized that sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns and includes building equitable systems and lasting communities. 

Maddie Nebelung ’26, President of IGNITE, then introduced the evening’s speaker: “TinaMarie Lugo is a licensed masters level social worker in Maine and Connecticut, and a proud first generation college graduate,” Nelbelung said. “Her professional background spans student success, mental health, and wellness coaching, rooted in a deep commitment in helping individuals and communities thrive.” Nebelung added that Lugo holds a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota, along with additional professional training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 

The conversation was moderated by Shreyasi Oli ’26, WGRAC’s program assistant, and Yael Rubin ‘26, Trinity Hillel’s Social Justice Intern. During the discussion, Lugo expanded on the theme of sustainability by emphasizing the importance of building relationships. Drawing from her experience growing up in public housing and moving frequently throughout her life, she described community as essential to long-term stability. “Sustaining relationships when push comes to shove, is the only thing that’s going to matter,” Lugo said. She encouraged students to not wait until senior year to build connections with professors or mentors, emphasizing that sustainable leadership begins with consistent relationship building. 

The discussion also addressed the invisible labor often carried by women, particularly emotional and relational labor in leadership roles. Lugo rejected the idea of perfect balance, instead acknowledging the reality of sacrifice. “We can’t have it all,” Lugo said, quoting Michelle Obama. “Please do not sacrifice your morals, your identity, your integrity. Please never be willing to sacrifice that.”

When asked about navigating higher education as a first generation student, Lugo spoke honestly about her own educational journey. After leaving high school at fourteen, she later earned her GED and completed her degrees while raising her daughter. Education, she said, transformed her opportunities. “Education is power,” Lugo said. “That is the brain equalizer in our society.”

Students also raised questions about balancing passion with financial stability, particularly as low income or first generation students. Lugo encouraged them to pursue meaningful work while remaining strategic and grounded in their values. She also highlighted the role of partnership in long term stability. “Choose a partner who sees you as a partnership,” Lugo said, explaining that shared goals and mutual support can make it easier to navigate career sacrifices, but at the same time, she clarified that earning money doesn’t mean “selling out,” as long as one remains grounded in their identity and purpose. “You can be successful, you can make money, you can do a lot of things, but find a way to be true to yourself,” she said. 

The event concluded with an invitation to attend more WGRAC events. By the end of the evening, students lingered over pastries and continued conversations sparked by Lugo’s reflections, reinforcing the month’s theme of leadership rooted in community and authenticity.