By Renee Fraser

A momentous event, the inauguration of the first woman president of Harvard University, and as I sit in one of the front rows among blowing wind and rain, I think how ritual elevates our human experiences to heights we would never contemplate.  Why should I sit in the rain with a ridiculous plastic poncho covering me as my feet sink deeper and deeper into the mud?  I waited because I wanted to be there when history was made.

So, we wondered would President Faust make a statement about being the first woman president of Harvard?  Would she make any oblique reference to her predecessor Larry Summers and his legacy?  No and no.  Highlights of the pomp and circumstance were a rousing welcome to the new president by Amy Gutmann, the President of the University of Pennsylvania.  She gave a brief history of President Faust and mentioned how she was the first… in 278 years – first southerner… then dare she say it… first woman.  A grand round of applause from the overflowing Harvard Square.  She went on to regale Faust’s history, of speaking of her as an historian of the underdogs - women and people of color as a lead-in to the opportunity Faust has to re-invent Harvard.  We shall see.

Then the student body president gave us his two cents - at Harvard it becomes his 25 cents.  He spoke openly of being excluded from decision making and the need for students to be given a place at the table.  The crowd was uncomfortable but Faust smiled, stayed stoic and shook his hand as she did every speaker – with the exception of the faculty representative who did not stop to acknowledge her (out of spite or absent-minded disregard?).  Then a beautiful Hindu song sang by a student group.

So what did Faust have to say?  Unfortunately, the expected.  She drew on history and reflected back on the speeches of other Harvard presidents.  She spoke of accountability and the need to make the university open to all.  Did she talk about feminine values or how her leadership might differ from the 28 presidents who preceded her?  NO.  Not a reference to her soft power.

So we will wait to see what this new President is made of.  Will her authentic self be apparent or will she rule as the men before her ruled, not upsetting the status quo.  Or will she take the risk and make a mark as woman leader.  For the sake of women all over the globe I hope she will take the latter choice.