International business student leads Women in Business fundraising skating event

Ekua Quagraine, a second-year international business major from Kansas City, Mo., is the current president of Women in Business. Under her leadership, the organization will resume its annual Skate for a Cause event on Feb. 18. Each year, Women in Business chooses a different charity to send the proceeds from the event to, and this year they will send their proceeds to the Malala Fund.

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What does the Women in Business organization do?

Our organization promotes the professional and personal development of all those who support women in business. We believe that all women deserve people supporting them and a community that inspires them to work towards their goals. We are an inclusive club, so everyone is welcome.

Can you tell us about the creation and history of Skate for a Cause? 

Skate for a Cause is an annual event hosted by Women in Business that started with Molly McGowan, senior lecturer in the Department of Management, before the pandemic. This is the first time we are hosting such a large in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic, so we are excited to bring back an old tradition. Women in Business’s vice president of events, Kate Hickey, a second-year international and global studies and public policy double major from Halifax, Mass., has worked very hard to jump through all the hoops in place now to organize this, but with all our hard work it should be a fun event for people to attend together. Every year the organization picks a cause to support, like Center for Youth and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

What will this year’s event be like?

This year we have rented out the Gene Polisseni Center from 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 18. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will be donated to the Malala Fund. Rental skates are available for purchase for $3. We encourage people to come with large groups and have invited many of RIT’s clubs to bring their members.

Why did you choose the Malala Fund to send the proceeds to? 

The Malala Fund supports the education of young women all around the world. They are advocates for resources and policy change, and they invest in educators and activists who speak up on behalf of young women.

For more information about Skate for a Cause, go to the Women in Business: Skate for a Cause event website.