Better Together

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Dear wonderful, bold, beautiful, Barnard alumnae family:

Thank you for the opportunity, privilege, and honor of serving as your president of the AABC and alumnae trustee! I love Barnard and want to do my part to elevate our beloved college and community to be the best it can be. I want to get to know as many of you as possible and find meaningful ways for you to remain connected/reconnected with Barnard. 

A little bit about me: I practice gratitude daily and choose to be joyful. I try to live my best life today with kindness and passion. I’m a single mom of three wonderful sons and blessed with an abundance of amazing friends. Barnard continually shapes me to be the strong, confident, bold, and kind woman and entrepreneur that I am today.

During my 40s, I learned a few pivotal life lessons while volunteering at Barnard that I continue to share with other women and practice in my daily life. President Deborah Spar positively redefined what “women can have it all” meant for me. She used the analogy of shopping at a boutique and clarified that we can have it all, just not all at the same time. That was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, because up until then I thought I was missing out and just not enough no matter what I had accomplished. Ladies, as Lydia Fenet, our Barnard Gala auctioneer, says, “We are the architects of our lives!” Whatever stage of life or circumstance that you are walking, jogging, running through — you are always Barnard and always enough!

Fortunately, the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being will be a brilliant breakthrough for our students — and the entire community. At the core, when students feel well, they do well, and the Center will provide programs to support their physical, mental, and financial wellness to ultimately propel them to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

I’m a firm believer that women need other women to support, encourage, and cheer for one another. I have had my share of being supported, encouraged, and cheered for by my Barnard sisters. In my role as AABC president, I feel compelled to continue to do the same. Let’s elevate one another while enjoying the journey.

Thank you, President Beilock, and welcome, President Rosenbury. We are grateful to have these strong women lead Barnard with grace, wisdom, and grit.

Looking forward to seeing you all in person or online. Please say hello and introduce yourself, if I don’t get to you first. Have a wonderful summer!

With gratitude and hugs, 

Sooji Park ’90

AABC President and Alumnae Trustee