Attollo’s Women’s History Month Celebration: Leading Today, Shaping Tomorrow
Setting the Stage for Celebration
As part of our 2025 Women’s History Month campaign, Attollo proudly hosted the second annual Leading Today. Shaping Tomorrow. celebration—an in-person event designed to elevate the stories, wisdom, and strength of women from within our community.
This year’s panel was rooted in purpose: to celebrate, educate, and inspire by highlighting the contributions, experiences, and challenges of women across diverse fields in the Lancaster community. The event was crafted intentionally for our scholars—to reflect their potential, deepen their understanding of womanhood, and provide a space where visibility meets vulnerability.
Meet the Panelists: Women Who Lead with Purpose
The evening featured four phenomenal women from the Attollo and Lancaster community who shared candidly and courageously:
Patty Detter, Attollo Alumni Parent and Assistant Principal at Manor Middle School, spoke with heart about growing up in Nicaragua and how her upbringing as an international student in Lancaster County shaped her passion for education and equity.
Sarah Stackhouse, Attollo alum and USC graduate, reflected on her journey from scholar to scholar-leader, offering insight into the importance of mentorship and finding strength in your voice.
Keisha Finnie, a celebrated local artist, shared what it’s like to navigate artistic spaces and advocate for her work as a woman of color. She spoke honestly about valuing her art—and herself.
Mikayla Appel, Attollo alum and Drexel University student, brought a powerful presence to the panel, speaking from the perspective of a young woman learning to lead while still growing through her own academic journey.
A Conversation Rooted in Realness
Moderated with skill and sensitivity by Emily Abbruzzese, Director of Programs — 11th Grade, the panel was designed to flow with intention—balancing individual storytelling with cross-connections. Panelists rotated through general and tailored questions that revealed both shared experiences and unique paths.
Some of the questions included:
“Who is a female role model in your life?”
“How do you combat assumptions that judge women by age, appearance, or race?”
“What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?”
Patty’s response to how her Nicaraguan roots influence her role as an educator left a lasting impression, while Keisha’s powerful words about valuing her art and navigating tough conversations about compensation struck a chord. Sarah and Mikayla’s reflections on their time as Attollo scholars were heartfelt reminders of growth, mentorship, and the power of believing in yourself before the world does.
The final question—“What is the most important takeaway you hope our scholars and audience members leave with today?”—unified the panel with a spirit of hope, resilience, and empowerment.
Beyond the Panel: Building Bridges Through Connection
After the panel, the celebration continued through a vibrant networking session that quickly became a favorite moment for many. Conversations buzzed across generations—alumni, current scholars, parents, staff, and professionals all leaning in and lifting each other up.
In these exchanges, the panel’s lessons came to life. Scholars got to ask follow-up questions, alumni reconnected with old mentors, and new relationships were formed—proof that the Attollo community doesn’t just show up, it grows together.
A Celebration Made Possible by Women-Owned Businesses
The evening was not only a celebration of women’s stories—it was supported entirely by women-owned businesses who added intention, beauty, and joy to every detail:
🍕 Pizzeria Luca (Lee Mason) provided delicious, hand-tossed pizza that kept the energy up and bellies full.
🍰 Commons Company (Crystal Weaver) sweetened the celebration with a dessert spread that was as beautiful as it was meaningful.
🌸 Central Market Flowers (Laura Clegg) designed custom floral arrangements to match our campaign palette—later repurposed into take-home bouquets for attendees.
🛋️ Ville & Rue (Rebecca Addington) elevated the space with thoughtful staging and a branded backdrop, turning the event into a full visual experience.
We’re so proud to stand in partnership with these local women-led companies and grateful for their generous contributions.
A Promise That Goes Beyond the Event
Leading Today. Shaping Tomorrow. isn’t just an event title—it’s a promise. A promise to honor the trailblazers and torchbearers. A commitment to make space for women’s voices, lived experiences, and leadership across generations.
This gathering continues to reflect Attollo’s deeper mission: to build spaces where our scholars can not only dream big—but also witness, connect with, and be mentored by those already doing the work.
Continue the Celebration
🌟 To explore the full scope of our 2025 Women’s History Month campaign, click here.
About Attollo:
Attollo is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth through education. By providing mentorship, academic enrichment, and college preparation support, Attollo aims to level the playing field and equip students with the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond. Since its inception, Attollo has helped thousands of students realize their potential and achieve their academic goals.
HQ Hours
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