SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Friday, May 29 2015 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Loyal Sweet Briar Community Fights to Save College

Monument Hill's view of the Sweet Briar campus where 21 of the 30 buildings are designated as the Sweet Briar College Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo by Margret Wood '13)

Monument Hill’s view of the Sweet Briar campus where 21 of the 30 buildings are designated as the Sweet Briar College Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
(Photo by Margret Wood ’13)

By Lauren R. Giannini

“Holla Holla Holla Nothing That You Cannot Do”: Sweet Briar College’s cheer can double as a battle cry. On March 3, 2015, the 114-year-old center of women’s learning seemed to be tottering on the brink of extinction when the blunt announcement appeared on SBC’s Facebook page that Sweet Briar, located near Lynchburg, Virginia, would close its doors forever in August.

The news triggered an explosion of reaction, ranging from shock and grief to disbelief, anger and outrage, which coalesced into the movement to save Sweet Briar. It wasn’t only the horsey students who were ready and willing to gallop into battle to save their beloved school. Alumnae of all ages, women who attended Sweet Briar for one or two years, current students, faculty and members of the global community rose to the call and showed solidarity by joining forces.

Within 24 hours of the March 3 bombshell, the “Saving Sweet Briar” website launched and a Facebook page — Saving Sweet Briar — provided frequent updates and encouraged donations. Smartphone users tweeted up a storm to #SaveSweetBriar. Before March ended, SBC alumnae had formed a non-profit (applying for 501(c)(3) status from the IRS), called Saving Sweet Briar, Inc. The energy behind the campaign to save Sweet Briar has been awe-inspiring.

Alumnae riders found themselves back in the saddle at the 2012 Sweet Briar College reunion. (Photo by Margret Wood '13)

Alumnae riders found themselves back in the saddle at the 2012 Sweet Briar College reunion.
(Photo by Margret Wood ’13)

Sweet Briar Alumnae

“Even though I graduated 20 years ago, I lean on my Sweet Briar sisters for advice, references for schools, jobs, travel plans — everything, and now we’re fighting to keep Sweet Briar open,” said Norma Valentine, ’93, of Aiken, South Carolina. “We need to keep this school open for the current students and for future generations of women and for the faculty and staff. Sweet Briar isn’t for four years. Sweet Briar is for life.”

By April 20, SavingSweetBriar.com reported $10 million in pledges with collected donations in excess of $5 million. Their goal is $20 million.

Never underestimate a woman educated at Sweet Briar. Although long considered a finishing school to prepare privileged young women for marriage, the actuality is that Sweet Briar has served as a training and proving ground for empowered women from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.

Graduates include Janet Lee Bouvier — mother of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; Anna Chao Pai — geneticist and professor emerita at Montclair State University; Diane Muldaur — actor and former president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; and TaskRabbit founder Leah Busque, to name a few. Many Sweet Briar students, including two-time Olympic rider and dressage trainer Lendon Gray, continued with horses as amateurs and professionals. The well-known horseman and author Paul D. Cronin served for 34 years as director of Sweet Briar’s riding program.

Standing for a Legacy

For now, the horses, art collections, buildings, real estate and other assets associated with the historical 3,250-acre campus are safe. Lawsuits have been filed, hearings held and injunctions granted to protect all assets and endowment funds from being used to close the school for six months dating from April 30. One judge astounded everyone with comments that alluded to something just not being right about the way the closure was announced with no warning and no prior reaching out to the alumnae. However, Sweet Briar administration was still accepting donations without a mention that the school was failing financially and that its closure was planned.

The entire tale supports an old saying — truth is stranger than fiction — and the entire story is far too complicated to summarize. The frenzy of activity since early March to stop Sweet Briar’s closure has been assisted by technology, social networking and the Internet. There’s history behind Sweet Briar: the land and financial endowment made in memory of the daughter of the founder, Indiana Fletcher Williams, as a women’s institute of higher education, awarding bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of science, master of arts in teaching and master of education degrees.

Sweet Briar has a reputation for educating powerful women. A recurring theme in quotes by alumnae appearing in the flurry of media coverage is that Sweet Briar taught them to be fearless and independent, to question and to pursue their dreams with determination and fortitude. It’s a huge mistake to be lulled into complacency by elitist images of young women wearing pearls with jeans, school colors of pink and green (inspired by roses that flourished on the plantation) and horsey girls cantering around in fancy breeches and boots.

Sweet Briar's Novice team poses with rosettes, tri-colors and trophies. (Photo by Mimi Wroten ’93)

Sweet Briar’s Novice team poses with rosettes, tri-colors and trophies. (Photo by Mimi Wroten ’93)

Saving Sweet Briar

From diverse backgrounds, from all parts of the world, Sweet Briar alumnae are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to save their school. This sisterhood is the heart of a far-reaching Sweet Briar community. Armed with spirit, backbone and moxie, they’re waging one heck of a fight.

“It’s what we’re taught to be — women who aren’t afraid to stand up for what we believe in,” said Samantha Brittell (’11), master’s candidate in political philosophy at Georgetown University. “We believe in Sweet Briar. We’re not backing down. Sweet Briar is a passion. We were taught to be passionate, active, energized and engaged citizens of the world. We’re determined to save Sweet Briar.”

For more information visit, savingsweetbriar.com.

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: lauren r. giannini, Lynchburg, Saving Sweet Briar, sidelines-magazine, Sweet Briar College, virginia

What you can read next

Katrin Dagge: The Rewarding and Fun World of Dressage
Heart and Soul
Successful Teen Juggles Three Rings With Time Management Skills

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Jump into Sidelines Magazine!
    Sidelines Magazine is devoted to the people and personalities that make the horse world exciting. The magazine is well known for its outstanding articles and beautiful design, including award-winning editorial, design and photography. The staff, from writers to sales people, have a vast knowledge in the hunter-jumper,

    [Read more]

  • GALE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
    561-248-9939 Derrick@galeconstruction.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...
  • Preparing for the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals

    By George Williams The FEI World Cup Final in O...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!