[Image Credits: The Madeira School]

The Madeira School, an all-girls high school in Virginia, concluded its yearlong civil discourse series with a powerful and inspiring panel discussion titled Women Leaders in Education this April 25th. 

The event featured an extraordinary assembly of pioneering women in education: Christina Kyong, Head of School; Dr. Sarah Willie-LeBreton, President of Smith College; and Dr. Mary Dana Hinton, President of Hollins University. 

The conversation was moderated by Patricia Anyaso Sasser, a 1995 graduate of the school and the current Assistant Head of School at St. Mary’s School in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Held in honour of the school’s annual alumnae gathering, the event attracted an enthusiastic audience of students, faculty, alumnae, and community members. 

As the final installment in a yearlong initiative exploring respectful and civil discourse, the panel delivered more than dialogue;  it offered profound reflection, candor, and inspiration.

The theme—Women Leaders in Education—set the stage for a wide-ranging discussion on identity, power, and responsibility in an era fraught with various concerns about the appearance and nature of education.

The panelists shared personal stories from their leadership journeys, offering students a unique lens into a form of leadership that is both visionary and deeply human.

Dr. Hinton emphasized that while technical proficiency is essential, it is not what defines truly meaningful leadership. “Skill sets are what it takes to manage,” she said. “But what it takes to lead is love.” 

Her statement reframed leadership as a vocation rooted in empathy, commitment, and a deep care for others—particularly in spaces where women and marginalized voices must continually fight to be heard.

Dr. Willie-LeBreton provided one of the most compelling metaphors of the afternoon, analogizing her role as president to conducting a chamber orchestra: “I’m trying to play this piece as loudly and proudly and masterfully as I can,” she said, “but I also have to be aware that drawing attention to certain members of my chamber might endanger them.” 

The image struck a chord with the audience, illustrating the intricate balance between excellence and responsibility, advocacy and protection that leaders are called to maintain.

Head of School Christina Kyong brought the conversation close to home, speaking candidly about the inherent challenges that development and change are inevitably bound with. 

“There’s often a fear around being vocal and authentic,” she said. “But those are exactly the things that make leadership meaningful. We have to learn to navigate that fear, not silence ourselves because of it.”

The conversation unfolded organically and powerfully, allowing each speaker’s voice to shine while building a collective message: leadership is not about perfection—it’s about purpose, and about fully showing up with courage and self-awareness.

As the event drew to a close, the speakers emphasized the importance of striving for personal best, the Madeira School’s mission, while also practicing self-compassion and acceptance. 

They spoke of the value of community, humility, and learning how to engage each other with curiosity and care.

Dr. Willie-LeBreton concluded the conversation with, “Learn to call each other in, not out,” offering a spark for thought that resonated throughout the room.

The audience was composed of alumni and students of all generations and backgrounds, highlighting the power that education has in creating a community.

Students lingered after the formal panel to ask questions, offer gratitude, and continue the conversation—a testament to the profound impact of hearing powerful women speak with such honesty and heart.

The event marked the end of a transformative year of programming focused on equipping students with tools for engaging in thoughtful and civil discourse.