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CONCORD, N.C. — More than 30 female leaders representing all levels of leadership from Conference Carolinas’ 16 member institutions gathered Wednesday morning to hear from Rosemary M. Thomas, president of Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Thomas served as the keynote speaker for the annual Conference Carolinas EmpowHER Breakfast Seminar for female leaders.

Following introductions from around the room, Thomas opened the session with a parable centered around a simple towel. She gifted each attendee a towel accompanied by a note explaining its deeper meaning for those working in higher education — particularly in college athletics.

A towel may wipe sweat from the floor or comfort a teammate after their final game. It may blot perspiration from a brow or serve as a tourniquet in a moment of injury. Though simple in appearance, Thomas explained, the towel symbolizes service, compassion, and support.

“It’s not just a simple towel; it’s the humble purpose the towel serves that matters most,” said Thomas.

The EmpowHER Breakfast brought together a wide range of conference administrators, including Senior Woman Administrators, university presidents, conference office staff, Faculty Athletic Representatives, Deputy Athletic Directors, and Athletic Directors from across the league’s 16 campuses.

Thomas later guided the group into roundtable discussions using a quote from the poet Rumi: “Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder.”

She encouraged attendees to change one word in the quote to better reflect the realities of women in leadership.

“As women, we can change one word in this quote,” Thomas said. “Change the ‘or’ to ‘and,’ because oftentimes we are all three things at the same time. Be a lamp, and a lifeboat, and a ladder.”

One by one, female leaders shared examples of how they serve their campus communities in each of those roles.

One story that emerged from the discussion centered on how Ferrum College served as a lifeboat for Lees-McRae College following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Ferrum opened its campus to Lees-McRae student-athletes and coaches after the storm caused catastrophic damage throughout Banner Elk.

Ferrum President Mirta M. Martin said the university felt honored to host Lees-McRae student-athletes during the difficult time.

“What mattered most was that the student-athletes, coaches and administrators built friendships before they ever became competitors. That is the beauty of athletics and of Conference Carolinas- we can compete fiercely on the field and still care deeply for one another beyond it. The bonds created during Lees-McRae College’s time on our campus remain strong today, a lasting reminder that shared experiences and genuine human connection are far greater than any scoreboard,” shared Martin. 

Martin and Thomas, the league’s two female presidents, created a powerful moment for every female leader in attendance simply by being in the same room together.

The morning ultimately served as a reminder of the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and representation within collegiate athletics. As the seminar concluded, attendees left not only with a towel in hand, but with a renewed sense of purpose and connection — encouraged to continue serving as lamps, lifeboats, and ladders for the next generation of women leaders across Conference Carolinas.