Ms. McCall Joins Seeding Disruption

Since joining the Washington School for Girls in 2015 as the Family Relations Coordinator, DeAnna McCall has made a significant impact on the lives of our parents and families through transparent communication that continues to foster long lasting relationships. Ms. McCall graduated from Howard University with her Masters in Social Work in 2008 and has since devoted 13 years to case management, intensive home based counseling, and parent support. Now serving as our Director of Recruitment & Family Relations, Ms. McCall's leadership is grounded in her passion to eradicate systems of inequity.

Ms. McCall’s steadfast and personable approach keeps WSG’s families at the center of our mission, ensuring that their voices are consistently and intentionally represented. It comes at no surprise that she has earned an acceptance into Seeding Disruption, a Washington, D.C. based fellowship for youth-facing professionals, who have a shared focus on the elimination of unjust systems. ¨I look forward to being a bridge for Racial Equity within the educational sector. The school is the one environment that has the convergence of multiple systems that impact the life of the student. To be aware of the challenges that persist within is one thing but to be that bridge to usher in equity is a goal that I intend to pursue,¨ says Ms. McCall.

Over a course of 13 months, Seeding Disruption brings together a diverse group of leaders who develop solutions for the communities they serve. The goal of Ms. McCall, and the members of the 26 person cohort is to further develop their skills and knowledge, while ‘catalyzing movement towards racial equity.’

Thank you Ms. McCall for your vital work and leadership. To learn more about Seeding Disruption, continue reading here.

International Day of the Girl - Hidden Figures

"I felt like it was necessary to be seen and not be a hidden figure."

- Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, American immunologist

I love when I hear the story of someone’s life that I haven’t heard before. The older I get, I still continue to be amazed when I learn about someone whose life was so impactful that I believe I should have known, seen or learned about them in school or in the media over the past 50+ years. That was exactly how I felt when the movie Hidden Figures was released in 2016. Hidden Figures tells the incredible story of 3 Black female mathematicians at NASA, whose work helped launch astronaut John Glenn into space leading to America winning the space war in 1969. Until this movie was released, I didn’t know about the lives of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson and their important contributions to science, technology and engineering explorations in the United States. They achieved this all while living their lives under the backdrop of gender discrimination and racial segregation in the Jim Crow South during that time. How, I have since wondered, did I not read about, learn about, or study these women and their incredible lives? Why weren’t their stories visible to me throughout my life?

Fast forward to now. In the United States during 2021, we learned about the substantial work of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a prominent immunologist and researcher participating as part of a team whose research helped to identify and create the COVID vaccine. Her accomplishments are significant, especially noting that her work led to a needed remedy during a crucial nationwide crisis. But what is also noteworthy is that we are learning about her life now, in real-time. She has been publicly featured and cited for her extraordinary contributions to science, allowing us insight into her background, her thinking, her insight and her experience. The positive upside of this happening now is that young girls, particularly girls of color, are able to see that Dr. Corbett, a distinguished Black female scientist, is relevant to their lives, positively impacting current events. Her quote about not being a hidden figure speaks to her desire to be observable during her own lifetime, in essence being a visible role model for others.

Worldwide, girls continue to be impacted by the digital divide in access and use of technology, placing them at a disadvantage in their overall pursuit of technology and science related careers. Young people look to see themselves in the adults in their lives and in the media. They look for people they identify with in the images of those people that are regularly featured as leaders in their fields. It is essential to elevate women, especially women of color, in science and technology-related fields to create visibility in what may still be considered unconventional roles. As we celebrate International Day of the Girl with the theme of my voice, my equal future, I honor Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s work as a researcher, scientist and leading voice in the STEM field, as someone who inspires young women to pursue education and careers ultimately leading to the eradication of the digital divide for girls.

Advocating on Behalf of Our Own Girls

The United Nations declared October 11th as International Day of the Girl Child, an internationally recognized annual observance designed to “amplify the voices and rights of girls everywhere.” As a coalition of NativityMiguel-modeled, independent middle schools from across the country, we are united in the common purpose of educating girls in communities that have largely been excluded from economic resources and empowering them to become their best, most authentic selves. We recognize the vast potential of our female scholars, and embrace this and every opportunity to lift their voices for the good of their own, their communities, and their world’s future.

In the pursuit of solutions to educational inequity and the rising political debate over school choice, the work of small, gender-specific schools can be easy to overlook. Unfortunately, the opportunity to choose a small school with small classes and individualized attention, something we know as essential to optimize learning among middle school girls, is nonexistent for those families who do not have the financial resources to afford it. Our coalition of all-girl schools, which provides this exceptional education to our scholars tuition-free, are often the only option provided to those who have been excluded from such access.

Today, on this auspicious occasion hailed around the world, our coalition of ten schools stand in solidarity with, and advocate on behalf of girls everywhere who hunger for a better education, one where they are seen, heard and can grow to be their full selves. We see you, we hear you; you can grow here.

Daniella* was enrolled in a local public school where she quickly learned the best place for her was in the back of the room, not to be noticed, picked on, harassed, etc.. Daniella has power within her that goes untapped and unrecognized in environments that cannot make space for cultural, social, and economic differences.

We all know Daniella’s story. It is the story of many students who enter our schools year after year. Daniella and her sisters from across this nation inspire us every day with their desire to learn and drive to lead. In response, devoted teachers and staff, tireless volunteers, and dedicated mentors work hard every day to earn students’ trust and empower them to take agency for their own education. Within days or weeks of attending Washington School for Girls our students express relief at feeling safe and respected at school, renewed excitement to learn, and gratitude for the deep bonds of sisterhood they share with their schoolmates. The transformation is palpable.

Our coalition of all-girl independent middle schools serving over 3000 students remains deeply committed to providing girls in our communities with access to education and enrichment opportunities that they might not otherwise have. Because of this educational model, our schools boast a 99% high school graduation rate among our alumnae, far beyond that of the nation or any local municipality. We enthusiastically embrace this part of their journey, successfully carrying the educational baton through the vital middle school years while under our roof, and through high school where we support them readily but with some distance, watching them grow into their power. Their journey continues long past high school, taking many far from their Washington D.C. home, as do the challenges. As a coalition of schools dedicated to seeing our scholars succeed, we are growing into a national alumnae network that will connect these young women with their alumnae sisters anywhere and everywhere, as well as to the resources and opportunities that will help them succeed beyond their wildest dreams.

The International Day of the Girl will most often conjure up images of girls in need across the globe. As we cast our gaze abroad, we cannot forget that many girls here in the US are vulnerable to the trauma of poverty, racism, and systemic oppression. This year, join us in recognizing and supporting our girls and celebrating their vast potential, as we do for those abroad. Cast your eyes on the girls in our D.C.community that they too may be seen, heard, and grow.

*Daniella is not the name of any particular student. This name and the story that follows represent the general experience of our students.

Coalition Members:

Dr. Beth Reaves, President, Washington School for Girls, Washington, DC

Sister Iliana Hernández, PVBM, Principal, Nora Cronin Presentation Academy, Newburgh, NY

Peggy Prevoznik Heins, President, Serviam Girls Academy, Wilmington, DE

Caroline Erisman, Executive Director, Cornelia Connelly Center, New York, NY

Annmarie Quezada, Head of School, Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center, Boston, MA

Mary Elizabeth Grimes, President, Marian Middle School, St. Louis, MO

Delia M. Dowling, SSND, President, Sisters Academy of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

Matthew Fitzsimmons, President, Grace Academy, Hartford, CT

Nancy Langer, President, NativityMiguel Middle School, Buffalo, NY

Jadihel Taveras, Head of School, Esperanza Academy, Lawrence, MA

Daniel Perez, Executive Director, NativityMiguel Coalition, New York, NY