Grandview was first established in 1999, 12 years after the first women’s history month. Since then, Grandview has fostered a community that supports women in a multitude of ways. 

“I absolutely fell in love with journalism because I had a fantastic advisor in Matthew Varca.” Katie Fisher said. “It gave me the courage to kind of branch out and try some other things within the industry, and look towards stories and human nature as my motivating factor.” 

Katie Fisher has found success in journalism , which was paved by her role as Editor-In-Chief for the Grandview Chronicle. However, she is not the only successful female alumni to emerge from Grandview. From a performance perspective, Sophia Dotson is a prime example of success in her field.

“Stepping into different characters [as an actor] has taught me so much about people with experiences different from my own. It has shaped my perspective and made me a more empathetic person, both on and off the stage,” Sophia Dotson, class of 2024 said. 

Empathy- which historically has been looked at as a weakness in the job force– has helped both Dotson and Fisher to thrive. This was partly because of Grandview’s emphasis on supporting others through Way of the Wolf– an award based system highlighting empathy and integrity.  

However, it doesn’t always come from career or education. Empathy can come from perspective and life experiences.

“I think that being a woman has honestly given me a little bit of a more empathetic perspective,” Fisher said. “My career advances being able to empathize and view other people’s situations, hardships or just their general perspectives.”

However, women can experience obstacles and adversity from their peers. Creating feelings that often connect back to the inequality between men and women. 

“I have been called ‘bossy’ for having leadership abilities and being able to manage people and standing up for myself,” Fisher said. “Whereas I think for a man that would have been seen as, ‘oh, he’s in charge,’ ‘He takes initiative’.”

Grandview, through clubs such as Women in STEM, helps foster leadership in women. They help establish women as leaders in areas they are usually not as prevalent in. 

It helps fight against pre-existing pressure from society’s expectations of women. Despite this though, there is also competition between women. Opportunities for women to thrive can sometimes change into a more strenuous environment.

“Musical theatre is an incredibly competitive field, especially for women, which makes every opportunity a challenge,” Dotson said. “It pushes me to keep improving, never settling into complacency. The competition keeps me motivated and constantly striving to grow as a performer.”

As women strive for more equality it becomes important that successful women use their platforms to become role models to the next generation. Dotson uses her platform, one that she first developed at her time at Grandview, as an actress to help build women up and to break down barriers in her field. 

“Another woman’s success doesn’t diminish our own—it’s something to be celebrated,” Dotson said. “Many of the roles I’ve played have been strong, independent female characters, and I find the most fulfillment in stories where a woman’s journey isn’t defined by a man.”

Similarly, Fisher looks at other women’s success to improve herself and to help other women in and out of her field.

“Adopting qualities of people that I find successful and other women that I find successful is what I strive to do for both my reporting staff here [Colorado State University] and also what I tried to do when I was at the helm of the [Grandview] Chronicle,” Fisher said. 

On top of supporting other women, role models help women become comfortable setting new boundaries based on their gender. Fisher’s grandmothers and mom have both been influential people in her life. 

“They are all very strong advocates for not letting being a woman be a reason for someone to tell you that you cannot do something,” Fisher said. “I am able to do anything that a man is able to do.”

There are times where women are often looked down upon due to their gender, however, successful women alumni from Grandview have never let them stop them. 

“People will try to tear you down and make you feel small, but you have to know in your heart that you are enough,” Dotson said.