Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 30

WHEN I ENTERED THE
WORKING WORLD,
MY FIRST THREE
BOSSES WERE WOMEN.
... IT FELT NATURAL
TO RELATE TO WOMEN
IN LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS.

Tony Friscia | '78
When I arrived at Vassar, the world was very different. Men were in most if not all positions
of power, but the world was changing slowly but steadily and doors were opening to more
women in the working world. I didn't realize then how unique my college experience was as
a young man attending a traditional women's college, especially given the changes that
were occurring. While men at former men's colleges, despite the new presence of women on
their campuses, continued to assume that leadership positions were naturally theirs for the
taking, men at Vassar were being reared in a world steeped in women's traditions. In the
mid-to-late 1970s:
x We were still "The Big Pink," and our women's sports teams were far more competitive
than our men's teams.
x Women far outnumbered men and led in discussions in most if not all of my classes.
x There were no fraternities and no rah-rah homecoming weekends.
x Our primary organized social event was daily tea in the Rose Parlor.
I and the vast majority of my male peers embraced this, not necessarily appreciating
how it would prepare us for the years ahead.
Fast forward to the life that followed. The world did change, and although we have a
long way to go, the change has been profound. I've been able to thrive amid these changes
because of my Vassar experience:
x Professionally: When I entered the working world, my first three bosses were women.
While it felt natural to me to relate to women in leadership positions, it made most
other young men on the teams uncomfortable. I was able to accept these women as
mentors and thus advance my career.
x Personally: I've had many rewarding peer relationships with women throughout my life,
including with my wife. Too many men I know have a difficult time relating to women as
peers/friends-they never benefited from sitting in the Rose Parlor enjoying tea with
groups of female friends. It would have been my loss to have not had these relationships.

Tony Friscia is currently Chair of
Vassar's Board of Trustees.

30

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 9

x As a Leader: While leading organizations, which I've had the opportunity to do, I have
identified talented women I've been able to mentor and help to advance their careers.
Being comfortable promoting the best people, independent of gender, has been a
boon to business.
In the end, I've lived a more rewarding life because of my experience at Vassar. It made me
a more successful businessman, and a better friend, husband, and father to two daughters.



Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019

Contents
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - Cover1
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - Cover2
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - Contents
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 2
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 3
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 4
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 5
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 6
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 7
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 8
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 9
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 10
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 11
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 12
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 13
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 14
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 15
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 16
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 17
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 18
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 19
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 20
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 21
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 22
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 23
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 24
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 25
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 26
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 27
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 28
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 29
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 30
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 31
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 32
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 33
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 34
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 35
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 36
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 37
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 38
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 39
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 40
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 41
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 42
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 43
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 44
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 45
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 46
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 47
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 48
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 49
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 50
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 51
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 52
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 53
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 54
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 55
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 56
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 57
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 58
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 59
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 60
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 61
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 62
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 63
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 64
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 65
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 66
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 67
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 68
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 69
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 70
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 71
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 72
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 73
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 74
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 75
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 76
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 77
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 126
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 127
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - 128
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - Cover3
Vassar Quarterly - Fall/Winter 2019 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com