2025 Virtual Magma Coalition Forum

December 5, 2025

The 2025 Virtual Magma Coalition Forum (MCF25) followed on the enthusiastic responses received from similar in-person events (MCF24 and MCF23), hosted at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum.  Even with a shorter day for the virtual event, the program followed general format as our previous events, with an amazing line-up of incredible speakers, including feminist icon, Gloria Steinem, as well as a virtual tour of the “Everyday Rebellions” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, and performances of original music by women composers and musicians.  Although the event was virtual, social gatherings were organized in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., where participants were able to meet and connect in person to conclude the day.

  • Session 1:

    • Mona Behl (Director of Virginia Sea Grant; Research Professor at Batten School and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary)

    • Morgan McEwen (Artistic Director and Founder, MorDance)

    • Mahri Monson Stáinnak (Principal Consultant & Coach, Stáinnak Consulting, LLC; Former Deputy Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, US Office of Personal Management)

     Session 2:

    • Cessilye Smith (Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Abide Women’s Health Services)

    • Jennifer Cho (Vice President of Social Impact at Panorama Global)

    Session 3:

    • Wawa Gatheru (Executive Director and Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist)

    • Gloria Steinem (Journalist, Social Activist, and Co-Founder of Ms. Magazine)

    • Marisa Baldasarre (The Clark)

    • Manju Bangalore (Elevate Us Studios)

    • Annie Bares (SMU DataArts)

    • Taiese Bingham-Hickman (The Leadership Aliance)

    • Catalina Bode (Wexner Center of Arts)

    • Alexandrea Cole Patino (Chaminade University of Honolulu)

    • Katie Cordova (Moms First)

    • Aimee Cunningham (Boone Family Foundation)

    • Louisa D'Ovidio (Every Page Foundation)

    • Karey David (Dia Art Foundation)

    • Jamie Donatuto (Swinomish Indian Tribal Community)

    • Kaleta Doolin (Every Page Foundation)

    • Vicki Ferrini (Columbia University)

    • Carla Forbes (Brooklyn Museum)

    • Breea Govenar (Every Page Foundation)

    • Camille Hardman (Mighty Fine Entertainment)

    • Maria Koliou (Texas A&M University)

    • Kimberly Marion Suiseeya (Northeastern University)

    • Krista Millay (The OpEd Project)

    • Josephine Mitchell (Every Page Foundation)

    • Tiara Moore (Black in Marine Science)

    • Catherine Morris (Brooklyn Museum)

    • Andrea Reyes (Deeds Not Words)

    • Rochelle Rodney (New York Birth Control Access Project)

    • Reshma Saujani (Moms First)

    • Zakiya Thomas (ERA Coalition)

    • Yamilee Toussaint (STEM From Dance)

    • Lauren Williams (Georgia State University)

    • Judy Yin-Chi Lee (Maestra Music)

  • Friday, December 5 (all times in Eastern Time)

    12:00- 12:05 PM / Welcome / Kaleta Doolin

    12:05- 12:15 PM / Introduction / Breea Govenar

    12:15- 1:15 PM / Session 1: Stoking the Fire

    Challenges and Opportunities for Women in the Arts and Sciences

    • Mona Behl

    • Morgan McEwen

    • Mahri Monson Stainnak

    1:15- 1:30 PM / Tour of “Everyday Rebellions” exhibition / Catherine Morris

    1:30- 1:45 PM / Break (with music by Crystal Monae Hall)

    1:45- 2:45 PM / Session 2: Campfire Storytelling

    Digging Beneath Our Feet to Advance Gender Equality

    • Jennifer Cho

    • Cessilye Smith

    2:45- 3:00 PM / Break (with musical presentation by Georgia Stitt)

    3:00- 3:40 PM / Session 3: Fireside Chat

    From This Moment On: Where We Go from Here

    • Wawa Gatheru

    • Gloria Steinem

    3:40- 3:50 PM / Closing / Breea Govenar

    3:50- 4:00 PM / A Moment of Connection