Empower Hour With Train Gals

At Generation Love Clothing, our mission is to create clothing that empowers women to feel confident, motivated, and ready to achieve their goals, while cultivating a community where they feel uplifted and supported. As part of this mission, we’re introducing our "Empower Hour" Q&A series. Through these interviews, we’ll be highlighting women who inspire us with their achievements, whether they’re leading companies, excelling in high-level positions, or balancing the responsibilities of managing a household. This series is about celebrating self-confidence, positivity, and the many ways women define success. Welcome to Empower Hour!

What if your daily commute could be the key to unlocking confidence, career growth, and lifelong friendships?

In our latest interview, the inspiring "Train Gals"—Laura Rothrock, Tracy Frisch, Jodi Patkin, Leah Sanzari, and Sarah Colombo—share how they’ve turned their daily commute into a source of empowerment, camaraderie, and personal growth. Representing diverse industries, from law and marketing to nonprofit leadership, these accomplished professionals discuss the importance of building a supportive network, navigating career challenges, and finding confidence through fashion. With anecdotes of encouragement, style tips, and real talk about work-life balance, their story showcases the power of women uplifting women in unexpected places. Their journey reminds us that meaningful connections can transform even the most mundane routines into something extraordinary.

What if your daily commute could be the key to unlocking confidence, career growth, and lifelong friendships?

In our latest interview, the inspiring "Train Gals"—Laura Rothrock, Tracy Frisch, Jody Patkin, Leah Sanzari, and Sarah Colombo—share how they’ve turned their daily commute into a source of empowerment, camaraderie, and personal growth. Representing diverse industries, from law and marketing to nonprofit leadership, these accomplished professionals discuss the importance of building a supportive network, navigating career challenges, and finding confidence through fashion. With anecdotes of encouragement, style tips, and real talk about work-life balance, their story showcases the power of women uplifting women in unexpected places. Their journey reminds us that meaningful connections can transform even the most mundane routines into something extraordinary.

R.H: Hi everyone. I'm so excited. I'm with the train gals! I'm just so happy to sit down with them and talk about their amazing careers. So, hi ladies.

All: Hi Roni!

R.H: Why don’t you introduce yourselves and tell me a little about yourself and what you do.

L.R: Hi, I'm Laura Rothrock. I'm the president of the Long Island City Partnership, and fashion and style is a big part of who I am. It makes me feel confident in both my personal and professional life.

T.F: Hi, I'm Tracy Frisch. I'm Associate General Counsel at a nonprofit focused on conflict resolution, and I'm also the Executive Director of my company's foundation. Clothes help me feel confident when I'm wearing something comfortable and that I feel good in. It can really be a game changer in terms of giving me the confidence to perform in a big meeting, run the meeting, or give a presentation.

J.P: Hi, I'm Jodi Patkin. I am the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Clothes make you feel put together, confident, and set the vibe for the occasion—whether it's a meeting or a donor event. In my case, the outfit helps.

L.S: I’m Leah Sanzari. I’m a partner at Orrick Herrington. I’m a structured finance attorney, also known as asset-backed securities. I've been at Orrick for 25 years. And I love Gen Love!

R.H: I love how you ladies encourage one another so much. And you know, even if it's small banter, it's nice—it's words of encouragement. I think that speaks volumes about the relationship you have and how women can lift each other up. I'd love to hear your backstory—how you know each other, how you’ve been there for one another throughout your careers, and just a little about the nuance of your friendships.

S.C: So, we all started commuting together about five years ago, before COVID, always just kind of on the same trains. We’d see each other in the morning on the platform and be so happy to see each other. We’d sit together, and we were drawn to each other. Organically, we formed this collaborative group where we’d just talk about our lives—whether it was the challenges of motherhood, working motherhood, commuting, or professional challenges. We just became this natural support system for one another. I think this is something women do very well. I honestly think it goes back in our DNA to form these communities and try to lift each other up. And we started doing that very organically.

L.S: From minute one, we lifted each other up. And then COVID hit, and all of a sudden, we all had to stay home. We didn’t know what any of us were doing, so we started our little text chain called Train Gals.

R.H: Oh, it’s really called Train Gals!

L.S: It is really Train Gals. And we literally survived COVID together—navigating it, understanding it. This group was our support system. From that point forward, we’ve been Train Gals, and if I walk into a room and one of them is there, then I have a safe place.

R.H: That’s incredible!

T.F: And you know, I think a big part of being a working mom is being pulled in so many different directions. One thing I always appreciate about this group is the camaraderie. We’re like, “We’re in this together.” We’re all trying to do a thousand things at once, maybe dropping the ball at times, but that’s okay. I think we give each other that reassurance and reaffirmation that, “You’re doing a great job,” which is so nice to hear.

J.P: Celebrating each other’s wins and being there when it’s not amazing. As Sarah mentioned, we’ve all navigated different job changes, life stages, new family members, and different commute times over the last five, six years. But you always come back to this group. Leah brought us all together for my organization’s gala this year—the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Gala—which was incredible. Not only to further an incredible mission but to support one another. Whether it’s a store opening that Sarah rocked or recent promotions in the group, it’s really nice. Naturally, at our age and stage, you’re with parents of your kids’ grades or people in your same network and circles. We have disparate careers in different fields, and most of us don’t have kids of overlapping ages. But we make it work. And it’s rare because you’re so busy that you often focus on just what’s in front of you. To create that space and have that support system is invaluable.

L.R: I’ll just add to that. Commuting can be really rough. Most people on the train just have their headphones in, looking at their phones. I used to be one of those people—like, please don’t let me see anyone; I don’t want to talk to anyone. But it was Tracy who first introduced me to Leah, then I met Sarah and Jodi. We all came together, and now we coordinate—texting, “Which train are you taking?”

R.H: Oh, I love that!

L.R: It sets us up for our day. We share notes, and even though we work in different industries, a lot of the same experiences apply. I’ll say, “I’m going through this—has anyone experienced something similar?” Chances are, they have. It’s turned commuting, which is a drag, into something I look forward to.

L.S: There’s nothing but support and lifting up other women here. I’ve been blessed throughout my career to have women lifting women. I don’t believe in the queen bee stereotype; I think women uplift women. This crew certainly does.

R.H: Thank you! You’re all amazing. The synergy between all of you, lifting each other up, is inspiring. It’s important for women to find that support system, and you never know where you’ll find it—it might be on the train!

Don’t miss the full interview with the inspiring "Train Gals," where they share more about their professional journeys, the bonds they’ve formed during their commutes, and how fashion and mutual support empower their confidence and success. Their story is a testament to the strength of community, the importance of uplifting one another, and the surprising ways connection can transform everyday life.