Throughout the months of February and March, Ursuline Academy has been celebrating the historical impact and importance of black women and women who have made impacts on history.
The Leadership for Diversity team researched and prepared for weeks for how they led the school-wide celebration of Black History Month. For nearly every day for the month of February, a member of the Leadership for Diversity team shared an overview of a historically impactful black woman. Women like Mary Lee Mills USPHS, MSN, MPH, RN, CNM, who helped to establish the first nursing school in Lebanon, and Shirley Chisholm, who was the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress in 1968, and later became the first black candidate for a major party’s nomination for president as a Democrat.
Then in March, students in Dr. Cochan’s Women’s Voices in Lit. classes organized a number of activities for students and co-workers alike to reflect, learn about and share in the celebration of women throughout history. The class created Wobituaries (obituaries for forgotten women) and memorials that are on display in the English hallway. In addition, a few bulletin boards have been compiled around school with suggested reading/empowering music lists.
“It has all been a good reminder,” said one sophomore, “about how women have made a difference in history. I kept being surprised. It was nice to hear examples of how women have not only distinguished themselves in their field but have made an impact on history itself.”
Ending the two months, the school community is raising money to directly benefit refugee women through the International Institute. The International Institute of St. Louis provides opportunities for immigrants and refugees to thrive in order to create a welcoming, prosperous, and healthy region for all. Women are incredible, and we have a special privilege in the education and formation of the generation of women leaders. Following the example set by St. Angela, we are proud to continue the legacy of carving new paths for women and empowering them to learn, reach out, and create their own impacts in our world.
