On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Dr. Nancy spoke at the historic Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College in New York. Promoted as “An Evening with Author and Advocate for Women’s Advancement Dr. Nancy O’Reilly,” the event provided an opportunity for Dr. Nancy to talk about the work of Women Connect4Good, her latest book, Mission Matters: Mission-Based Leaders Share Inspiring Stories on Power and Purpose, and her soon-to-be-released, Timeless Women Speak: Power, Purpose, and Feeling Your Best at Every Age. She participated in a conversation for a portion of the program with the former longtime congresswoman, now the Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Leader in Residence at Roosevelt House, Hon. Carolyn B. Maloney.
In-person tickets went quickly, and by the evening of the event, a full auditorium and a robust virtual crowd gathered to celebrate Dr. Nancy’s commitment to gender equity and to learn how they, too, could advance women’s leadership and promote equality of women and girls.
Several of the Mission Matters co-authors also attended – Gloria Feldt, Dr. Sheila Robinson, Elisa Parker, Melissa Miller Young, and Adam Torres. They were joined by representatives from several of the social profit boards on which Dr. Nancy serves, including the ERA Coalition Board, Take The Lead, and the National Women’s History Museum, as well as a few organizational partners and friends. However, the majority of attendees were new to the message and to the work and stayed for the audience Q&A. Most moved on to the reception and book signing that followed the presentation.
A strong undercurrent during the event was recognition of the stark reality that the gains women have fought for—equality, inclusion, and opportunity—are under attack, and if we do not actively engage and empower women and girls now, we risk the very real possibility of moving backward. The conversation also revealed one way we can include women in the conversation is by sharing their stories.
For much of the discussion, Dr. Nancy emphasized the importance of these stories. “If we don’t protect and elevate women’s stories, we lose not only our past—but our future. Women’s experiences are rich with wisdom, innovation, and resilience. They must remain at the center of our conversations, our communities, and our culture,” she said.
In the Mission Matters intro, Dr. Nancy wrote why, “Having a mission matters. It defines your purpose and maps out your next steps. Anchored by your core values and beliefs, it guides your decision-making and shapes the way you interact with the world. Ultimately, a mission is your guiding star, empowering you to live a life of meaning, fulfillment, and impact while keeping you focused on what truly matters.”
That mission can be discovered in a woman’s story, which is why Dr. Nancy amplifies women’s stories through her books, podcasts, philanthropy, and the new leadership initiative for young women. She works to make sure that women’s experiences are seen and heard in a world that is shifting toward overlooking or sidelining them. That was part of the reason in-person attendees all went home with a copy of the Mission Matters book, which features the stories of 12 mission-based leaders.
“Take time to read their stories, and then I want you to think about your own,” Dr. Nancy said. “We’ve all got one, and they all have power. Find your story, share your story, and learn the stories of others so you can share theirs, too.”
The event was history in the making for Dr. Nancy and Women Connect4Good, and nothing short of fantastic. The conversation, the crowd, and the reception all exceeded expectations. Given that the event took place in the home where Eleanor Roosevelt’s first forays into public life and politics began, and her lifelong commitment to civil liberties and social progress inspired her work, the setting was ideal. Eleanor remained a mentor to Hunter students for many years and was “an optimistic galvanizing force for activism and political commitment.” Congresswoman Maloney summed up the evening as “extraordinary and inspirational,” and it’s our hope that Eleanor would agree.