International Women’s Day at NDP

As part of the 150th Anniversary year, Notre Dame Preparatory School marked International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, by celebrating the contributions NDP and its founding order, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, have made and continue to make in advancing the education of women. In an assembly designed, researched, and presented by our Women’s Studies Class, the school learned about the focus of IWD and how NDP students and alumnae are advancing women’s equality worldwide.

Started in 1975, IWD honors the women's rights movement and unites women across the world in the struggle for equality in key areas: Agriculture, Art, Business, Education, Government, and STEM. Using these topics as a guide, the students presented statistical information in creative and engaging ways as well as how the Notre Dame Prep community is making an impact. For instance, women comprise 60% of the people worldwide who are food insecure; to address this issue locally, NDP has been a long-standing service partner with First Fruits Farm, which supplies fresh vegetables to shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries across Maryland.

Highlighting the assembly were guest speakers, including Sister Grace Okon, SSND, a Nigerian-born School Sister who served as Principal of the SSND’s Notre Dame Secondary School in Mkar, Nigeria, and is now earning her doctorate at the Notre Dame of Maryland University. Video messages from alumnae around the world illustrated for students the vast opportunities available to women in a host of fields. Shelby Litz ’11, a crime scene technician, discussed how her forensic science class at NDP influenced her career trajectory. Community planner and athlete Julia Bouchelle ’08 talked about her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer, her community development work in Tanzania and Panama, and how sports opportunities for women foster confidence and community. Speaking from the United Kingdom, working actress Kosha Engler ’95 talked about women leaders in the arts and their influence in ensuring that women’s voices and stories are heard.

The information presented and the speakers highlighted all advanced a common theme: inspiring the students of today to transform the world for tomorrow.

“When there are opportunities like Women's Studies or [this type of assembly], they allow students to see positive role models that might not be in their everyday life…and learn about the inequalities that they may face in the future,” said Alessandra Manago, Women Studies teacher who mentored the students as they planned the assembly. “This can spark something in them to be that change and open the path for future generations."