Women of Smith Attend Dream, Girl Screening

Far too often, women’s success stories are excluded from the world of business. Dream, Girl helped to change that narrative in an exclusive showing at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, sponsored by the school’s Office of Diversity Initiatives on Sept. 12, 2016.

Produced, directed and filmed by an all-female cast, the documentary film calls for economic inclusion and development in the corporate world, connecting the power of social good and profitability.

Dream, Girl explored the journeys of 10 trailblazing female entrepreneurs in technology, food, fashion, finance and publishing. The businesswomen spoke about the common obstacles women face when trying to break into business: doubt from their families, self-doubt about their abilities, the gendered expectations and the lack of strong, powerful female CEOs as examples.

These women shared how they overcame those obstacles and found their passions in their businesses, tying them to social good. Publisher Clara Villanova – at 83 years old – is on her third business, Villarosa Media, which she runs alongside her daughters. She spent the last 30 years helping African-American authors publish books centered on issues important to their community. Understanding the need to cultivate a supportive network for female entrepreneurs, Joann Wilson, an angel investor, invests in women-owned companies and mentors them to help them reach success, as they define it. Dream, Girl, explored other ideas of cultivating circles of support, leadership, combatting self-sabotage and continuing to be role-models for other women.

Clara Villarosaleft the crowd with one last thought, “I wish when I [was younger], I knew what to do, to not doubt myself. I never would have dreamed that I would be the person that I am…that I would have the largest African-American bookstore that made a million dollars…it tells me I can dream bigger. You can start, and you can be scared. Feeling scared…doesn’t mean you don’t do it.”

After the movie, participants had an opportunity to break into small groups to discuss four themes: the female economy, women in leadership, funding for the female economy, and self-care and self-sabotage. Smith School faculty members moderated the discussions.

Alison Scharman, president of the Smith Association of Women MBA, shared, “As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, the film resonated with me, because you don’t always see women who are CEOs or entrepreneurs. It’s important to see more women in these roles and to understand their stories - to inspire other women to pursue that path and to inspire confidence as business leaders and owners.”

Sharon Strange Lewis, Smith’s senior director of women and diversity programs added, “The Dream, Girl screening was the perfect way to launch our fall semester. It sparked a dialogue of inspiration and empowerment. Attendees walked away with a powerful message from Dream, Girl entrepreneur Mariama Camara she revealed ‘Opportunity is like a door. You knock. If it doesn't open, you break it.’ I look forward to seeing Smith women breaking down the doors between them and their success story.”

- Janna Fernandez, Smith MBA Candidate 2018