Mountaineer and activist to speak at Paul Smith’s College VIC

Sara Safari, a mountaineer and social activist born in Iran, will hold a presentation at the Paul Smith’s College VIC on Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m.

Safari, who is currently in the process of tackling the world’s seven summits – climbing the highest points on each continent – is raising funds for Empower Nepali Girls Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to women’s’ education in Nepal. She dedicated her book, “Follow My Footsteps”, to the organization as well.

Her presentation, held the same week as International Women’s Day, will focus on leadership, mountaineering, sustainable communities and women’s empowerment. It will also coincide with #SheInspiresMe, a grassroots campaign spearheaded by Paul Smith’s College faculty focused on the accomplishments of inspirational women.

Safari was on Mt. Everest during the 2015 earthquake that claimed nearly 10,000 lives and left millions homeless. She has received the award for The Global Citizen from United Nations Association in 2015 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership and change.

“Sara is an incredible role model and the epitome of a servant leader,” said Kelly Cerialo, an assistant professor at the college who helped orchestrate Safari’s presentation. “She empowers others to achieve goals that appear out of reach and always leads with others in mind … I’m excited for the PSC community to meet Sara and to hear her remarkable story as part of the #SheInspiresMe campaign.”

The college’s campus sustainability fund and student activities department are sponsoring the event, which is free and open to the public.

About Paul Smith’s College
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit web.paulsmiths.edu.