EWS 35 Years On

Thirty five years ago I graduated from The Ethel Walker school. It seems like it was yesterday, but I know my math is right because I am here at my reunion right now. My closest friend’s from those years are here with me and it is as if we have never missed a day apart. If you never were a teenage girl at an all girl’s boarding school I can’t really explain the depth of the friendships that develop in a place like this. Sadly, at the last minute some friends had to cancel so our class representation is small, but mighty.

Getting to really talk with each person has been a bonus to reunion. Of course spending time with my great friends is the best part, but today’s chapel service is a close second to favorite part of the weekend, as well as least favorite.

The chapel holds a special place for me. I was the head of the Northfield Leauge, the group charged with running the Thursday and Sunday Chapel services that were part of our life back in the seventies. So getting to sit in the beautiful building I know so well and listen to the choir sing the familiar benediction always brings tears to my eyes.

Today’s chapel service was the one that welcomes the current senior class into the alumnae association. A few older women gave remarks as way of advice to the young women about to embark on the next step of their journey to adulthood. For the most part it was an inspiring and uplifting event, except for one woman who was there for her 50th reunion who, as a successful woman of Wall Street, talked about the importance of making your own money, investing it and not being dependent on any man. On the surface I agree with her on all fronts, but there was a missing piece to her speech about how being successful and independent gives a women the opportunity to do good in the world.

Immediately following this older woman’s speech was one from the current president of the school, a girl named Lizzy Turner who is graduating in June. She was an inspiring powerful speaker who laid out a much broader description of what a Walker’s woman was, not just someone who could earn a good living, but was concerned about the whole world, from social justice to their own families. The enthusiastic standing ovation she got helped send a message that life is more than just making money.

At lunch following the chapel my classmates and I talked about how we felt closer to the world that Lizzy Turner projected that the Wall Streeter. I am proud of the women I went to school with who are being the change they want to see in the world. I am hopeful that the young women who are following us are going to keep working to make the world a better place than we did. I hope for those young women that they also have the lifetime of friendships I have gotten from this place.

Sen