Faith and Leadership Take Center Stage at Mercy Week Event
By: Neha Akberzai
On Sept. 24, 2026, the Women Leadership Rooted in Faith event was held in the Crystal Room as part of Mercy Week. The event included representatives from the Connecticut Council of Interreligious, who discussed women of different faiths and their experiences with racism, gender discrimination and religious differences.
Three women participated in the panel: Jennifer Seise, Indu Aggarwal and Ruwa Majid-Pokorny. Seise was a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and currently lives in Connecticut, where she is involved in various writing projects. Aggarwal practices Hinduism and has a master’s degree in health administration. She is involved with the Hindu Temple, where she supports programs, events, fundraisers and community development. Majid-Pokorny practices the Baha’i faith. She has a degree in communication disorders and works as a speech therapy assistant. She also teaches online language courses at the Corinne True Center, where she teaches about Baha’i history, sacred texts and philosophical concepts.
During the event, attendees were asked to write questions on notecards for the panelists to answer. The questions addressed the panelists’ faiths, struggles they had overcome and notable traditions they practice with family and friends.
The panelists also discussed the beliefs and values of their respective faiths. Seise explained that Buddhists appreciate the Buddha’s achievements rather than worshipping the Buddha himself. Aggarwal described Hinduism as a welcoming religion in which the community is viewed as a family. Majid-Pokorny discussed the Baha’i faith and its emphasis on unity rather than differences between people.
The discussion also connected to USJ’s values of compassion, multiculturalism and diversity. Seise discussed compassion as an important part of Buddhism and explained that the religion does not force people to convert or encourage them to judge others based on their faith. She gave the example that people should not kill ants because all living beings are equal. Aggarwal also discussed the importance of respecting people of different faiths.
The event encouraged students to recognize similarities between people despite differences in background and status. The panelists emphasized the importance of empathy and respect when interacting with people from different cultures and religious traditions.
The event also connected to the purpose of Mercy Week, which focuses on service, reflection, respect and compassion for others. The Sisters of Mercy emphasize caring for others and responding to poverty and hardship. These values connect to the Sisters of Mercy’s commitment to nonviolence and working toward peace through prayer, education and community practices.
Majid-Pokorny shared that she had experienced religious persecution and that her parents had been imprisoned in Iraq. She explained how these experiences contributed to her desire to raise awareness about cultural differences and the importance of respecting them.
Women are also a significant focus of the Sisters of Mercy, particularly in areas such as education, health and spirituality. The panel discussion highlighted women’s leadership in different faith traditions, including women serving on elective governing bodies within the Baha’i faith and women leading Hindu temples.
The Women Leadership Rooted in Faith event gave students an opportunity to learn about different religious traditions and the experiences of women within those communities. The discussion emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting differences while recognizing the values people share.