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At 79, Janit Romayko '67 shows no signs of slowing down.

A retired clinical social worker, Janit is an accomplished athlete, excelling in swimming, running, and triathlons. Her dedication to serving others, love for athletics, and steadfast support for Emmanuel College have all played a key role in her life.

A Career in Social Work Sparked by Serendipity

Though she started as an art major at Emmanuel College, Janit found her true calling in social work, a field she worked in for over 45 years.

After graduating from Emmanuel, Janit began her professional career working for the State of Massachusetts Department of Social Services serving Boston’s North End. However, her desire to help others led her to pursue a master’s degree in social work at the University of Connecticut.

A key moment in Janit's career came when she applied for a social work position in Mansfield, Connecticut. During her interview, her future boss was thrilled to learn that Janit had graduated from Emmanuel, his mother’s alma mater. That connection led to her being hired—a serendipitous event that set the stage for her 33-year career as a licensed clinical social worker.

Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Janit said, “My boss’s mother went to Emmanuel, and he said, ‘I’m going to hire you because I love Emmanuel.’ He went to BC High and BC for both undergrad and grad school.” This connection set her on a path to a fulfilling career, where she worked with various populations, primarily children in the school system, but also senior citizens and families facing significant challenges. 

Her work didn’t stop with retirement; she continued part-time for 12 more years and still volunteers today, running support groups for grandparents raising their grandchildren. “I’m very attached to the grandparent group,” she noted.

A Lifelong Athlete

Athletics have been a cornerstone of Janit’s life. Coming from an athletic family, Janit grew up with a love for sports. She first became interested in running around 1982, and was further inspired by Joan Benoit’s gold-medal win in the 1984 Olympic marathon. Janit completed her first marathon in East Lyme, Connecticut, performing well enough to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon, though she wasn’t aware of it at the time. “I didn’t even know I had qualified,” she recalled.

Over the years, Janit has embraced a variety of athletic challenges. She participates in United States Masters Swimming, specializing in the 50 m 100 m and 200 m breaststroke, and in open-water swims, such as the annual Lake Quassapaug Swim in Connecticut. In fact, this summer, Janit won her age group in three open water swims, at distances of 1 and 1.5 miles in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. In addition to swimming, she runs 5Ks in a summer cross-country series in Western Massachusetts, where she has set age-group records. “There’s a group of people who run all the races there...I set the age group record for my age and try to do it every year. There is no women’s age group for women age 70–79, so why not put the times up there for other women to ‘re-set and break’ someday.”

janit romayko headshot
Janit Romayko at a 3.2 m cross-country race in August 2024 in Northampton, Mass., where she set a new age group record.

Janit has also dabbled in triathlons, having completed three half-Ironman races. While she acknowledges the demanding training required for full Ironman events, she remains content balancing her athletic pursuits with her active lifestyle and professional commitments. Through it all, Janit’s dedication to staying physically active has helped her avoid serious injuries, allowing her to maintain her rigorous training schedule. “I run and swim almost every day,” she added, showing how her commitment to fitness continues to drive her success.

She’s now set her sights on running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Las Vegas in 2025, an indication that her athletic journey is far from over.  She will be 80 then, and the challenge to complete/finish it is “on her mind.”  She will follow the results this November 2024 to see if any female 80 year olds finish and if she can beat that time.

A Title IX Advocate in Connecticut

Janit’s involvement in athletics extends beyond her personal accomplishments. She has been a key figure in promoting gender equity in sports, working as an advocate for Title IX in Connecticut. This landmark federal law, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities, including athletics, has opened doors for countless women and girls to participate in sports at all levels. “Title IX made a huge difference,” she emphasized, acknowledging how it has shaped opportunities for women like her.  She received the United State Triathlon Association’s Spirit Award in 2011 for her work training over 1,200 women in New England in the three sports (swim, bike, and run) stressing fair competition, attention to detail, and fair play.

Her dedication to ensuring that women have equal opportunities in athletics has had a lasting impact on the state’s sporting landscape. Janit’s advocacy continues to inspire the next generation of female athletes in Connecticut and beyond.

Why She Gives Back to Emmanuel College

Janit has remained a loyal supporter of Emmanuel College, giving generously to her alma mater over the years. She recalls her own experience at the College, where she initially struggled academically but eventually found her footing and thrived. “I was on academic probation my freshman year because I was having too much fun,” she said with a laugh, remembering how she ultimately buckled down and excelled.

Reflecting on why she chooses to give, Janit emphasized her appreciation for Emmanuel’s decision to go co-ed, a change she believes has strengthened the institution. “I was happy when Emmanuel went co-ed. I thought that was wonderful. It has so much potential,” she remarked. Additionally, her positive memories of the College’s close-knit community, its values, and the friendships she made continue to inspire her philanthropy.