Cheers to 50 Years: Cocktails and Conversations Celebrating Women at Ridley

On Thursday, April 4, 2024, Ridley held their second Women of Ridley: Cocktails and Conversations. Hosted at the Abrielle restaurant in The Sutton Place Hotel, the Cocktails and Conversations event connected generations of Ridley women. From recent graduates such as Leah Edwards ‘23 to longtime grads like Sue Ann Moher ‘87, the event was an opportunity for Ridley women to network, share experiences, and inspire one another.

The Tiger Times Head Editors-in-Chief, Rawnie Sun ‘25 and Rebecca Liu ‘25 had the opportunity to attend the event. We had the opportunity to share The Tiger Times, connecting with past editors and writers of the Tiger Tribune, Ridley’s retired newspaper. The event was empowering — and not just in terms of being able to share Ridley’s newest student-based newspaper! We had the chance to connect with Ridley alumni from various graduating classes, learning from their experiences and gaining valuable insight into Ridley’s legacy and how it has inspired engagement and flourishing lives across time.

Specifically, we had the chance to speak to included Abigail Sullivan ‘21, Baden Colt ‘11, and Sue Ann Moher ‘87.

Abigail Sullivan ‘21, who you may formerly know as @ridleymemes on Instagram, is currently a student at the Toronto Metropolitan University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance. Apart from reminiscing about her times running the resident Ridley meme account, she shared with us funny anecdotes about being on the Girls’ Rugby Team, being in Cappies with Mr. Lockey, what IB exams were like during COVID (RIP to her calculator), and what it was like being a Prefect during the pandemic.

Baden Colt ‘11 is a leader in the Canadian surrogacy advocacy community and the founder of Not My Tummy. During her time at Ridley, she was a writer for the Tiger Tribune, editor of HANK Magazine, and a rower. Her family’s connection with Ridley spans multiple generations. We also had the chance to meet her mother, also an alum present at the event, and they both shared with us some Ridley secrets: did you know that when you march on A-Squad during Cadets and you look at the left of the Bell Tower of Schoolhouse, you can see a peace sign painted onto the roof? This was painted during the ‘70s at the height of the Hippie Movement and in protest of war. Try and spot it next time you are on A-Squad!

Sue Ann Moher ‘87 entered Ridley in 1983 and spent all four of her high school years here. She went on to obtain a Bachelor’s in Art History and French from Boston University (BU). She even received a Master’s of Education from BU: GOOOO TERRIERS! Committed to education, she has worked as a teacher at The Sterling Hall School, Havergal College, Upper Canada College (ew…), and is now a facilitator at Friendship in Action. During the event, she shared with us her stories at Ridley. As a Dean’s Diva, she still remembers when she once left the girls’ house and a bunch of boys saw her face covered in thick pimple cream dotted over her face at the Tuck Shop (now known as Hank’s) — she has amazing skin, so I really must get my hands on that pimple cream.

Being a part of Ridley’s community and having a connection with all of these incredible women was awe-inspiring. This event opened our eyes to just how vast and interconnected we as current students are and will likely continue to be with Ridley’s past, present, and future. Attending this night was both fun and enlightening, and we from The Tiger Times encourage you all to take advantage of our vast alumni connection and attend the next Cocktails and Conversation event!

Disclaimer: Rawnie had a coke and I had a ginger ale during the night. The Tiger Times does not endorse underage drinking. BE RESPONSIBLE AND BE SAFE! - Rebecca :D