St. John’s University students have taken the lead in creating a national educational campaign for the organization that founded Women’s History Week in 1978 and remains a trusted educational resource today. The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) has granted St. John’s editorial and creative control of a 10-page lesson plan – along with a cover feature - in their annual magazine with plans for a release party on February 25, 2026, on St. John’s Manhattan campus.
The students involved call themselves the “Catalyst Project,” founded under the Peter J. Tobin College of Business with a mission of increasing enrollment of female students in the business fields. Project manager and business graduate student Fiona Lakeram worked with Assistant Dean Dan Napolitano to propose a nationwide campaign to the NWHA, which quickly developed into both a print and social media partnerships.
Upon learning that the 2026 national theme would center on “Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” Lakeram recruited environmental science and sustainability students onto the team in prominent research and outreach roles. The NWHA leadership and St. John's students identified 30 iconic women to celebrate throughout March and then found additional college partners to sponsor particular icons. St. John’s students studying illustration and graphic design have joined the effort to create a centerfold “March of Icons” calendar for the magazine.
“The Catalyst Project’s has evolved to now advocate for greater female enrollment in business, STEM, and other underrepresented fields,” shared Lakeram. “While this year’s chosen icons are environmental champions, we are building a foundation with the NWHA for an annual national campaign that could spotlight business leaders, philanthropists, educators, artists, athletes and other areas of contributions.”
Cara Dunleavy, a senior Environmental Sustainability major, has led fellow students in securing meaningful sponsorships from Chatham University (honoring Chatham alumna and environmentalist Rachel Carson), Niagara Community College (honoring Niagara area activist Lois Gibb) and St. John’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (honoring Nobel Peace Prize recipient Wangari Maathai).
“We hope to grow and lead thirty partner-colleges in creating a shareable social media campaign each year,” shared Dunleavy. “For each day in March, we strive for dozens – eventually hundreds – of shared tributes all using #NWHA and #MARCHofICONS.”
Dr. Jill Kracov Zinckgraf, Interim Executive Director of the NWHA, realizes this new partnership is a form of sustainability in itself. “As we collaborate around environmental sustainability, we are also witnessing organizational sustainability,” shared Dr. Kracov Zinkgraf. “Through both the St. John’s college partnerships and other new high school efforts, we are strengthening our alliance for generations to come. We are thrilled to be beneficiaries of support from St. John’s students and these additional colleges.”
Those interest in partnering are encouraged to contact Fiona and Cara at [email protected]. Additional details regarding the February 25 magazine release party will be shared in early 2026.
(Pictured from left to right: Theresa Lovero '25 Illustration - Christina Nimblett '26 Environmental Sustainability - Cara Dunleavy '24 Environmental Sustainability - Annike Engstrom '26 Art History - Fiona Lakeram, '24 Business and '25 MS Business)