Third graders Marissa Vanni and Harper Bennett enjoyed the beautiful fall weather on the playground. “Play is an essential part of the Lower School day because it facilitates creativity, physical exercise, and relationships,” said Lower School teacher Audrey Sikdar. “Students need a break from the academic rigor they are pushed toward each day. Plus, it is a chance for unique personalities to sparkle and an ideal time to talk out misunderstandings.”
We began the year dedicated to The Agnes Irwin School’s core value of striving for excellence — and that is exactly what I am seeing each day. Striving for excellence can be seen on the walls of the Moran Gallery and the Owl Lobby through the visions of AIS artists, on the sideline of soccer games, and with every spike of a volleyball. It is the fifth grade students taking computer science for the first time and a girl inviting a new friend to sit with her at lunch. It is the seventy-nine new families who came to their first AIS event in September to join this wonderful community and the incredible turnouts we have seen at our class coffees, back to school night, Parents’ Council events like Spirit Fair and Bonfire and our annual Owlidays shopping event. It is the Agnes Irwin history-making Spirit Week of Giving where an incredible one hundred percent of families in the PreK to fifth grade made a gift to the school.
This issue afforded us a great opportunity to share the news of Agnes Irwin community members who have pursued excellence in their lives. In “On With the Show,” our new Theater Director, Sarah DeNight, talks about “Legally Blonde The Musical,” her first play at AIS. In “Think Big,” we see Upper School students whose interests were piqued in class, encouraged by teachers, and became areas of passion. In “Clinical Study,” twenty-seven talented and trailblazing alumnae, who have dedicated their careers to healthcare, share their perspectives on the state and future of their practice and what they carry with them from Agnes Irwin.
This school year features yet another exciting debut – I am honored and thrilled to introduce to our community the 2022-2027 strategic plan for Agnes Irwin: “A Boundless Vision of Success.” This plan aligns our mission and activates our core values. Moreover, it inspires our community around clear priorities to ensure that every girl achieves her own boundless vision of success. To achieve our fullest potential as a school, we will engage all members of the community to bring this plan to fruition. You can learn more about the strategic plan by visiting boundless.agnesirwin.org. I hope you are as excited as I am for what’s to come.
I invite you to share with us your own stories of excellence and those of your fellow alumnae, and I hope to see you this winter or in the spring at an event or celebration.
Sixth grade student, Emerson Cross, showed off her fishing skills at the overnight class trip to the Outdoor School in October. “Hands-on team building and ecological and environmental activities offer our girls the opportunity to practice cooperation, problem solving and to work on their communication skills,” said Interim Middle School Director Corey Willingham. “It is an authentic way to grow a student’s capacity for confidence-building and self-advocacy.”
EDITOR
Nancy Smartt P’25 ’25
CONTRIBUTORS
Megan Boyle Flinn ’87
Contributing Writer & Editor
Brooke Norrett Corr ’95
Director of Alumnae Relations
Allison Hough ’01
Contributing Editor
Associate Director of Development and Director of Campaigns/Major Gifts
Dan Slack
Contributing Editor
DESIGN
Melodee Dill Stephens
Active Image Media Douglas Benedict/ Academic Image Zamani Feelings Photography
Jonathan Gilbert
Jim Roese Photography José Sevillano Bridgett Woody P’27
THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL 275 S. Ithan Road Rosemont, PA 19010 610.801.1869 agnesirwin.org
ON THE COVER Microbiology student Emma Vanderver ’23 focuses on subculturing soil organisms for identification.
COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY: JONATHAN GILBERT
Summer Growth Grants provide financial resources to faculty for the purpose of growing as practitioners and developing new ideas for teaching practice, enhancing student outcomes, and advancing the AIS mission. Eighteen teachers undertook the following projects to build upon their teaching methods.
UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER KATHERINE NICKOLS
A thematic approach enables students to see the historical roots of contemporary events, adds relevance to the material being covered, and brings the past alive in a way that the chronological approach fails to do, shared Nickols. “Students’ capacity for historical inquiry should not be underestimated. A thematic approach gives students the opportunity to engage in civil discourse about topics we see today so that they can practice being respectful of differing opinions and understand that questions do not necessarily have correct or final answers,” she said.
UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER KRYSTA ZADROGA
“My goal is to build up our coverage of the whole globe!” said Zadroga. In an effort to evolve past a mostly-Eurocentric view of global history, she encourages using a lens that is more geographic than chronological.
MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER
LAUREN MAYER SWEETSER ’08
“I often feel like it is a mad dash at the end of the school year even to get to Greece,” said Sweetser. “My work centered on creating a framework that would allow a more comprehensive study of ancient civilizations that is focused on patterns and themes.”
WELLNESS TEACHERS MEGHAN HALBERSTADT, MICHELE KANE, LAURA SHERBONDY
To stay on pace with current wellness needs of girls and young women, the team conducted a comprehensive audit of wellness offerings to ensure continuity across divisions. The mission was also updated: “The PE and Wellness Department is designed to ensure all students learn and embrace healthy habits to achieve balance and happiness in their present and future lives.”
LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER AUDREY SIKDAR Sikdar attended the Columbia University Lucy Calkins Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. She is using the skills she learned to guide students’ work in storytelling.
The Agnes and Sophy Dallas Irwin Fund, established in 1916, provides opportunities for faculty to travel and conduct research. 2021-2022 RECIPIENT: MURRAY SAVAR, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CHAIR Forty-six years at Agnes Irwin
PE
and future lives.
“The purpose of my trip was to improve my linguistic skills in the six languages that I speak. I spent three glorious weeks in Europe visiting Dublin, Munich, Berlin, Budapest, and Vienna practicing German, Hungarian and, believe it or not, a smattering of Spanish, Hebrew, and French along the way. I visited a former synagogue in Budapest that now houses the Hungarian Holocaust Center. I also revisited a cathedral in Vienna where I sang a choral concert in the late 1980s. I am so grateful to have received this award.”
The mission of the
and Wellness Department is to ensure all students learn and embrace healthy habits to achieve balance and happiness in their present
MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL TEACHERS
PATRICK BEASOM, JULIE DIANA, JAKE STEIN GREENBERG, LYDIA TRAILL, AND ROSANN WESTMEYER
Ethical scholarship is about producing work that is honest, reliable, and free from plagiarism. The team designed a sequence of skills for grades five to twelve intended to foster excellence in note-taking, differentiating types of sources and texts, use of citations in various disciplines, paraphrasing, and selecting scholarly sources.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TEACHER JOY CONNELLY
In order to enhance students’ abilities to apply mathematical concepts and skills to real world problems, Connelly adapted lessons to create ways for students to interpret and analyze data, identify and use different methods to solve problems, learn to estimate to ensure the reasonableness of results and solutions, and to more effectively communicate solutions by including more classroom collaboration.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TEACHER JENNIFER HAHN
Hahn applied the Notice and Wonder™ (Annie Fetter) strategy to help encourage students to gather information about a figure, photo, or chart. “It sparks curiosity and calms anxiety when solving word problems,” said Hahn.
What have you learned about Agnes Irwin as a school in your time here so far?
Agnes Irwin has an amazing history that is alive and well! We are a mission driven school that works hard to ensure that we approach teaching, learning and planning through a girlcentered lens. The skills learned from AIS Core Values, Leadership Toolkit, Leadership Keys, and Portrait of an AIS Graduate are vital to the development of our students as they progress through their academic and athletic programs and experiences.
Agnes Irwin students are kind, inquisitive, and love mints! They care about their school and are very engaged.
My goals are to deeply understand Agnes Irwin and our community, support the strategic planning process, understand the curriculum across PreK-12 in order to develop coherence within and across disciplines, support engagement with the Portrait of an AIS graduate, and to continue our DEIB work as an important lens through which we examine our programming.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR LYDIA TRAILL AND UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER COLBERT ROOT
“We are working on creating a more global approach to literature by bridging the crossover between what students are reading in English and what they are studying in history. We will see times when the narratives clash and deconstruct what that means,” said Traill.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR LYDIA TRAILL Programs in the Writing Center have expanded — twenty-eight trained studenttutors rotate to help students in all divisions with writing, plus there are extended hours with staff to help support writing, more outreach to the Middle School, new opportunities for writing competitions, a speaker series, and writing workshops.
LIBRARIANS SAM HERRON AND MELISSA JOSEF
“A comprehensive inventory is how we ensure the library collection is wellorganized, easy to navigate by students and staff, and curated to meet their needs, interests, and goals. It’s the difference between a library and a room full of books,” said Josef.
The eighth grade class got into their Empire State of mind on the much-loved New York City trip which was offered for the first time since 2019. “This trip has been a favorite learning experience since 2009 when a group of teachers used a summer growth grant to plan an interdisciplinary trip that incorporated elements from history, science, and English,” said history teacher Ann Ramsey. “Life skills, problem solving, and teamwork are added into the activities.”
The three-day outing is part of a history unit about the 1880-1920 Second Wave of U.S. Immigration that occurred primarily through Ellis Island. “Studying this chapter of U.S. immigration helps students understand how the concepts of race and social hierarchy change over time,” said Corey Willingham, Interim Middle School Director. Ramsey added, “Students used the Ellis Island databases to research immigrants who made the trip. We also toured the Lower East Side and Eldridge Street Synagogue and Museum to get a glimpse into the vibrant and dynamic communities which were landing points of many immigrants. We were happy to do the trip again. The students learn so much.”
“Welcome
Gifts to The Agnes Irwin Fund provide immediate resources to operations that enrich teaching, inspire learning, and fortify the strong educational experience offered at Agnes Irwin.
Please consider supporting The Agnes Irwin School with a gift during the 2022-2023 year (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023). No matter the size of your gift, participation in The Agnes Irwin Fund demonstrates your commitment to excellence on behalf of the girls and reflects our strength as a community.
To give a one time gift or to set up a recurring gift online, please visit agnesirwin.org/support-ais/the-agnes-irwin-fund.
To give via Venmo, please go to @agnesirwinfund.
To make a gift of stock, please contact Roseann Guinan, Database Manager, at rguinan@agnesirwin.org or 610.801.1271.
Questions? Please contact Emily Rauch, Director of Annual Giving, at erauch@agnesirwin.org or 610.801.1260.
When asked to name a genius, most mention Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Steve Jobs. As for great women? In a recent survey, the only female genius listed, if any, was Marie Curie. On October 13, author and journalist Janice Kaplan spoke to an audience of Agnes Irwin community members saying, “I was inspired to write the book after I read a survey that showed ninety percent of Americans believe that geniuses are men. It occurred to me that we tell girls now that they can be anything. But does that mean anything but a genius?”
Kaplan shared a collection of stories about genius women whose accomplishments have been underrecognized. She talked about AustrianSwedish physicist Lisa Meitner (1878-1968) who discovered nuclear fission and was praised by Albert Einstein as the “German Marie Curie.” The 1944 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for nuclear fission, however, was awarded to her collaborator and nephew Otto Hahn. Kaplan also spoke about Clara Peeters (1607–1621), the Flemish Dutch Golden Age artist and colleague of Rembrandt whose work was posthumously shown in the Prado Museum over four hundred years after her death.
Who we consider to be a genius changes over time and with how their story is told. But oftentimes, Kaplan said, the problem is with who gets to determine what work deserves to be recognized. “As more women are getting into positions of power, more women are getting recognized for their work. Now and in the future, we have to know and talk about women who have done amazing work, or are doing amazing work right now, and who are outstanding,” said Kaplan.
In the end, Kaplan posited, it is mere attention that may make all the difference in creating a world where more of us have knowledge of women geniuses – girls and women must be recognized, acknowledged, talked about, and celebrated for their contributions. “We tend to think about genius as a natural state – either you are or you aren’t. But genius needs to be nurtured and recognized,” said Kaplan. “Every genius woman had one person who believed in her, one person behind her, one person championing her. Be that inspiration for a young woman. It makes all the difference.”
Pictured here (from left) at Janice’s Kaplan’s presentation: Assistant Head of School Elizabeth Rossini, Upper School Director Joy Prince, Head of School Sally Keidel, Author Janice Kaplan, Director of CAG Programs Ali Monzo, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning Vanessa Pope
In 2007, in recognition of their 50th Reunion and in gratitude for the education that prepared them for success, the Class of 1957 established the Speaker Series Fund. Their goal was to provide speakers whose expertise would compliment and enhance the Agnes Irwin curriculum. Since then, the 1957 Speaker Series Fund has helped bring Janice Kaplan, novelist Lisa See, and political commentator Cokie Roberts among others. In 2012, the Class received the Alumnae Award at Reunion for their inspiring support of the school and unwavering commitment to one another. In her presentation speech, Ann Laupheimer ’77, then Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “Today, we cheer with enthusiasm for them and honor the spirit of the Class of 1957. They represent the best of us.”
60th
in
The Anti-Bias Building Blocks curriculum works on creating comfortable classroom environments. Topics included “Understanding My Strengths, Skills and Identity” and “Confronting/ Challenging Bias and Bullying.” Children’s book titles such as Laurie Keller’s Do Unto Otters, a story based on the Golden Rule, and What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick, were used to support lessons and discussions.
The PreK girls were bone hunters and collectors in a unit on dissecting owl pellets. “Early in the school year, I posed the question, ‘What part of AIS do you want to learn more about?’ The answer was overwhelmingly, Gus (the mascot)!” said PreK teacher Jenny Yocum. “I asked if they were interested in Gus because he was a mascot or because he was an owl. They answered because he is an owl. When we talked about what owls eat, the discussion led to owl pellets, and the class was on board with dissecting and learning about digested bones. It was an excellent activity to engage independent exploration, develop fine motor skills as they used tweezers to find and manipulate animal bones, incorporate visual discrimination as they compared the bones to the bone chart, and encourage students to question and explore,” said Yocum.
And guess who flew in for a surprise guest appearance? Gus!
The Lower School has been using the Units of Study writing workshops for several years — it is a curriculum created by Lucy Calkins, the researchbased educator who founded the globallyrecognized Reading and Writing Project. “The Lower School literacy program has been expanded to incorporate the reading workshops as well,” said fourth grade teacher Patty Hicke. “The girls start learning the reading and writing skill sets in Kindergarten and build on them in a cohesive progression through the grade levels. It is a great advantage for the students to be working in one consistent program,” said Hicke.
Over the summer, five PreK students attended the wedding of PreK teacher Jenny Yocum and Middle School science teacher James Miller. “We’re a real life success story from Match.com,” said Yocum. Both teachers say one of the best parts of working at Agnes Irwin is the support that AIS provides and the freedom to pursue innovative teaching. “I shared parts of our wedding planning with the PreK class, and they even helped me pick out my wedding shower dress! We were so happy to share the celebration,” said Yocum.
Before Halloween and Thanksgiving, the Lower School girls completed pumpkin-themed art projects. The Kindergarten took a field trip to Sugartown Strawberries for a hayride and pumpkin picking. “Back on campus, they created papier-mâché pumpkins that they painted and displayed in the Owl Lobby,” said Lower School art teacher Trish Siembora. The PreK girls used layers of multi-colored tissue paper to cover small gourds and pumpkins while the third grade students drew pumpkins using a light source and captured the shadow on paper.
AUTHOR VISITIn partnership with Children’s Book World in Bryn Mawr, author Meg Cannistra visited to talk about the process of writing and how to become an author. Based on the number of hands raised for the Q&A, it seems there may be some budding writers in the Lower School. Each girl received a signed copy of Cannistra’s new book How to Heal a Gryphon
• Read
• Read, read, read
• Discover what inspires you and makes you feel creative
• Find your place to write, like a favorite desk or in front of a window with a view you like
• Write a lot of stories
In Lower School science, students observed and touched what they studied this fall – bloodworms, cloud formations, soil, a “dinosaur egg,” and even the sun’s rays. “Hands-on learning provides the opportunity for using the senses to problem solve and interact with materials and the environment,” said science teacher Julie Haines. “The students practice observational skills, think independently, test hypotheses, and see that it is ok to makes mistakes and then learn from them.”
As part of a STEAM unit about animals, the first grade girls went spider hunting, searching for webs, and took photos of their findings. “The students took those pictures and, using 3D pens, traced the webs to create their own 3D images of the webs. They loved this project!” said Mary-Tyler Upshaw, the new Lower School STEAM Specialist.
• If you’re stuck, write a prompt like: “You discover a magic portal in the park. Where does it lead to?” or “There’s an old, abandoned house at the end of your street that’s been empty for years. One day, someone moves in…”
• Remember, there is no perfect first draft
• Be like a cat and don’t give up. Cats never give up
• Believe in yourself and your stories
For over twenty years, AIS Middle School students have participated in the treasured tradition of Performance Assemblies. Once per trimester, “students take the stage to perform anything they want in front of their peers – jokes, improv, dancing, singing, gymnastics, a skit, a magic trick,” said Corey Willingham, Interim Middle School Director. “Middle school is not typically the time that we see girls opt-in to such public vulnerability. The feeling a child has when she forgets the next song lyric and is encouraged by an audience of her peers is one that she can return to in other moments that require courage.”
The Big/Little Sister program provides eighth graders the opportunity – and responsibility – to be friends and role models to fifth grade students. Throughout the year, big and little sisters gather for impromptu gettogethers, lunch dates, games, and special events. The girls form friendships, make fond memories, and develop a sisterhood.
The eighth grade students in Joanne Montaño’s English classes gathered their thoughts on a topic and took a position. “Students entered the conversation of the student opinion section of the New York Times Learning Network,” said Montaño.
“The first prompt was, ‘Should all high school students get part-time jobs?’” Wynn Hastings’ ’27 response was recognized by BucksCo.Today: ‘Montco Student Replies to New York Times Request for Input on Holding Down a Job While in School.’ Montaño remarked, “It is a valuable exercise to formulate an opinion and share it thoughtfully – and to read others’ opinions on the same topic.”
In their study of medieval times, sixth grade girls were tasked with answering, “How can you design a mode of transportation to cross the rugged desert between the cities of Mecca and Taif?” On teams, they created prototypes of vehicles that could transport families, water, and food for the eightymile journey. “Terrain, climate, and powering the vehicles were considered,” said history teacher Ann Ramsey, adding, “The students used recycled materials and supplies from the STEAM Studio and reworked their designs when challenges arose during the building process.”
Agnes Irwin Middle School students are inclusivity pacesetters who are actualizing the findings of a recent study which suggested that, compared to their co-ed peers, girls’ school graduates are more likely to view their ability to work cooperatively with diverse people as a strength and see their understanding of other races, countries and cultures as a value.* Four new community alliances and clubs were launched for the purpose of creating spaces for everyone to feel seen and recognized.
• Compass Junior: For students who identify, or have family or friends who identify, as LGBTQ
• D.I.G., Diversity and Inclusion Group: For students interested in supporting diversity and inclusion
• Asian Student Alliance: For students of Asian descent or heritage
• Brown Girls Believe: For students of color
The Class of 2027 Middle School Student Council: Front row, from left: Vice President Maeve Martinelli; Correspondent Anna Rinnier ’28. Middle row, from left: Arts rep Sahara Stewart; Eco rep Bridget Bowers; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion rep Maddie Banks. Back row, from left: Community service rep Charlotte Green; President Alexandra Pierce. Not pictured: Athletics rep Amelia Amirault.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
New this year! Middle School librarian Linda Moreen has been teaching computer science to fifth grade students. “Over the course of the year, we will cover five units – digital citizenship, computer science, coding, robotics, and an independent project of student’s choice,” said Moreen. “We will also discuss cyberbullying and gender stereotypes online.”
In a unit about the sun, eighth grade science students built greenhouse toppers with repurposed plexiglass shields formerly used as safety barriers during the pandemic. “In the AIS Garden in honor of Sara Clark 2011, we were able to capture the light and heat from the sun in the raised beds by covering them with the greenhouse toppers,” said science teacher James Miller. “This kept the students’ fall crops (broccoli, cauliflower, peas, carrots, beets, and more) warmer as the cool fall weather set in. This multi-disciplinary project also tied in the process of photosynthesis and how the greenhouse effect warms the planet.”
Standing, from left: Maya Ross ’23, Senior Rep; Katharine “KK” Lerch ’23, Senior President; Caroline Antik ’24, Junior Rep; Leslie Forman ’23, Student Council President; Alimah Jalloh ’24, Junior Rep; Yamen Oraegbu ’25, Sophomore Rep; Gabrielle “GG” Seibert ’25, Sophomore President; Madigan Morrissey ’23, Senior Rep. Seated, from left: Maeve Cox ’24, Junior President; Caleah Henneghan ’24, Freshman Rep; Mason Hippler ’24, Freshman President; Evelyn Harkins ’24, Freshman Rep; Laura Kelly ’25, Sophomore Rep.
Using the competitive investment Shark Tank model, tenth grade students learned about Industrial Era inventions such as the flying shuttle, power loom, cotton gin, and steam engine. Guest teacher “sharks” posed questions and then chose which inventions were investment-worthy based on presentations. “The model promoted discussion about production and demand, working conditions, and workers’ rights in an interesting way, which sets students up to talk about imperialism and the economic systems in Europe and the rest of the world,” said History Department Chair Jake Stein Greenberg. IN CELEBRATION
Agnes Irwin seniors were recognized by the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program and the College Board National African American Recognition Program for outstanding academic achievement. Standing, from left: Sydney Chen, Lilly Press, Maya Johnson, Maya Eberlin, Michelle Yu, Madeline Chong. Seated, from left: Anais Suber, Anahla Thomas, Eliana Okala, Kathryn Chang, Ella Brown.
In celebration of former colleague and friend, the school community ushered in November’s Spirit Week with the inaugural ringing of the new Jenn Emmi Fiorini ’97 Spirit Bell. Jenn’s parents, Joan and Michael, attended the event alongside Jenn’s son, Henry Fiorini (Jenn’s other son, Jackson Fiorini, was not in attendance). Jenn had a passion for community spirit and a love of her students. The Spirit Bell will be rung annually to start Spirit Week and to remember Jenn’s gifts that she gave to the school as a student, teacher, Dean of Students, and Upper School Director. The Jennifer Emmi Fiorini ’97 Wellness Fund was established in her honor.
The History and Social Sciences Department held its inaugural Civics Week in November. Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge, Megan King P’25, kicked things off at an assembly centered around the meaning of civic engagement. Over the course of the week, students explored the question: “What does it mean to engage with your community?” through faculty-led workshops as well as guest presentations by alumnae, community members, and students. Thank you to the following alumnae who presented:
Students in Jim Mathisen’s Engineering I: Drafting and CAD (computer-aided design) class used architectural drafting tools to create perfect scale drawings of parts and blueprints. “Students used their skills by drawing various shapes and parts,” said Mathisen. “This knowledge is the foundation for understanding CAD and how 3D parts are conceptualized and created using modeling software.”
Rebecca Linder Blachly ’99
Director, Office of Government Relations at The Episcopal Church
“Influencing public policy: Think tanks, government service, and advocacy”
Priyanka Dinakar ’15 Management Consulting Senior Analyst at Accenture Federal Services “Improving community outside the confines of government: Creating spaces for Indian arts”
Allison Hough ’01 Assoc. Director of Development and Director of Campaigns and Major Gifts at The Agnes Irwin School “Philanthropy in animal welfare”
Blythe Tarbox ’09 Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts at University of Pennsylvania Penns Champion Club “From AIS classrooms to fundraising for nonprofits and universities”
Tracy Otley Viola ’95 Environmental Activist “Banning plastic bags and more: Making change happen one step at a time”
THIS SPRING AND SUMMER Iceland, Peru, Germany, Costa Rica, Japan/South Korea, France
Students signed up for a variety of clubs, publications, and organizations. With forty-five options from which to choose, a flurry of excitement surrounded the students as they considered their interests and signed up to get involved.
For the last two years, Upper School Director Joy Prince has been leading the Upper School with purposeful direction and warmth. “Seeing the growth in students from year to year is the best part of my job!” she shared. Mrs. Prince joined the Agnes Irwin community with thirty years of school experience under her belt as a former teacher, Director of College Counseling and Extracurricular Activities, Middle School Dean, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Co-Facilitator. “In all of these roles, the traits I relied on the most were empathy, curiosity, and service to others.”
Where did you grow up? Long Island, NY
What was your first job? I was a salesperson for my friend’s parents who had a booth at a flea market. I sold hair accessories, hats, and jewelry.
What was your favorite subject when you were in high school?
Social Studies
What was your college major? French
Were you a teacher before you were a division director?
I was an Upper School French teacher. Did you always know you wanted to work in academics?
I thought I wanted to work at the United Nations or in broadcast journalism.
LAST YEAR, YOU COMPOSED “MRS. PRINCE’S TOP TEN WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE LAST WEEKS OF SENIOR YEAR,” WHICH THE GIRLS LOVED. DO YOU RECALL? Of course!
1. Complete your work; 2. Avoid shortcuts; 3. Finish your service hours; 4. Thank your teachers, recommenders and those who have supported you during your AIS experience—write a note or two;
5. Make good choices;
6. Hug your friends;
7. Make amends, say you’re sorry, forgive yourself, forgive a friend; 8. Show up; 9. Be present; 10. Have fun!
Before you came to Agnes Irwin, you lived in Atlanta. Which city has better weather?
Atlanta, hands down, although my first winter in Philadelphia was fairly mild. I survived!
You are an excellent public speaker. How did you learn this skill?
Practice, practice, practice. I have been working on this skill for years and public speaking is still a bit nerve wracking, but I breathe through it and focus on the message I want to convey to the audience. Agnes Irwin students do exceptionally well in this area, from Senior Assembly to sharing announcements, and classroom presentations. They get lots of practice.
What is your favorite part of the school year and why?
The first day of school. It sets the tone for the year. Student speakers from each division spark joy and inspiration.
What does this year’s focus on the core value of striving for excellence mean to you?
It is a call to elevate what you do and how you do it. It is not achieving perfection. It is seeking opportunities to demonstrate your strengths and work on areas of growth.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
The Alumnae Lobby is a lovely space that feels light, bright and cozy. I enjoy the fire going in the colder months.
A favorite AIS tradition?
The AIS/EA Day pep rally. I love the energy, excitement, and spirit.
Do you have a hobby?
Photography and knitting. I am a novice at both. A favorite book? The Secret Life of Bees
Best lunch from Student Life Center? The sandwich station and the salad bar
Your idea of perfect happiness outside of AIS is … Beachside with my family
“When something happens that does not go the way you would like, pause and reflect before taking action.
You might have a ‘lightbulb moment’ that helps offer perspective and insight about how to respond next time.”
Joy
P’25 ’27
“Excellence is open-ended and may not look the same to everyone. Be excellent in the classroom, on Phelps Field, and on the stage. Don’t limit yourself to inside our school walls. Be an Agnes Irwin girl wherever you go.”
“Through squash, I have been able to make so many great friendships and memories. I attribute my current happiness at Bowdoin to playing squash on our great team at Agnes Irwin. It prepared me for everything that has come my way in college.”
“ What I would give for one more game against Episcopal, with all of this pep behind it. It’s pretty awesome.”
“As a doctoral student in clinical psychology, I administer universal IQ testing. One of the WAIS-IV test’s most subjective sections includes a question “Who is Cleopatra?” Receiving full credit requires the test-taker to mention her relationship with Marc Antony and/or Julius Caesar. How can we influence change that incorporates women’s genius recognition?”
“I’m thankful for my friends, and I’m so lucky to be able to go to this school, because I love it here!”KATE MEZZANOTTE ’08 AT THE JANICE KAPLAN EVENT GRACE FINLEY ’32 ON HER PAPER ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF WEARING A UNIFORM
“I like wearing a uniform because it honors Miss Agnes Irwin.”
“I am here to inspire our students to be curious and to be the best citizens of the world! (We need a better world!)”LESLIE FORMAN ’23, STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT CAROLINE GLASER ’19, BOWDOIN ’23 AFTER BEING NAMED TO THE ALL-NEW ENGLAND SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM APRIL TELLAM TIMMERMAN ’97 (MOTHER OF HARPER TIMMERMAN ’33, PICTURED ABOVE)
“LoveSHANNON CASEY ZIMOLONG ’00 DURING SPIRIT WEEK OF GIVING 6ABC PHILADELPHIA CHIEF METEOROLOGIST CECILY TYNAN P’26 AFTER HER VISIT
“The Agnes Irwin girls really impressed me. So smart and well behaved!”Campus bench remembrance from the Tierney family
Terri Saulin’s Studio II and III students took in the beauty of our campus and painted outside, or “en plein air.” These examples of their gouache paintings of landscapes illustrate the long observation, structure, and layers necessary to build a strong composition.
A culture of sports and physical fitness is woven into the fabric at The Agnes Irwin School – and its competitive edge is “all-girls”
Agnes Irwin’s timehonored culture of women’s sports and physical fitness started in the school’s earliest days. Anne Barton Townsend Class of 1916 began her athletic career at Agnes Irwin as a basketball and baseball player at a time in U.S. history when women’s involvement in sports was limited to informal clubs. Despite barriers, Townsend played at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to become a prominent national figure in field hockey who served as captain of the U.S. field hockey team from 1924-1938. She was also an inaugural member of the AIS Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005, as well as an inductee into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1964 and the U.S. Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
Thanks to pioneers like Townsend who got onto the field early, AIS girls and young women have been making their mark in athletics ever since. “Today, athletics, physical fitness, and wellness are foundational to an AIS education. Being in an all-girls environment puts our students in a great position,” said Athletic Director Courtney Lubbe. Lubbe’s observations check out. While findings from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) point to evidence of girls’ participation in sports dropping off at the middle and high school levels due to decreased confidence, fear of not being good enough, and body changes, a 2020 study suggested that all-girls athletics can incentivize girls to stay in the game longer:
“[S]ingle-gender PE may be more appropriate for maximizing activity levels for adolescent girls within the school curriculum. Results of this study show that girls spend significantly more time … [engaged] … in a single-gender PE environment and that the majority prefer to take part in games when boys are not present.”*
No matter what the setting, however, it is well-established that athletics has far-reaching benefits. “We see that our students who are physically active have energy to tackle their academic interests,” said Lubbe. AIS is intentional about offering as many options as possible so students can participate in sports and physical education throughout their Agnes Irwin journey. “It is part of the culture here,” said Lubbe. “From Lower and Middle School PE and athletics to fourteen Upper School sports that produce athletes who go on to compete at NCAA Division I, II, and III levels,” Lubbe said. “We are also proud of our phenomenal strength and conditioning program and wellness options like spin, yoga, fitness, and dance. The list is long! We hope each girl can find something she enjoys and will continue to do as she grows.”
*Wallace, L., Buchan, D., & Sculthorpe, N. (2020). A comparison of activity levels of girls in single-gender and mixed-gender physical education. European Physical Education Review, 26(1), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X19849456
Head coach: Mike Welsh
Overall record: 10-6-1
Captains: Maya Johnson ’23, Kennedy Kelleher ’23
IAAL 1st Team: Lily Fusco ’24
IAAL 2nd Team: Abby Ballinger ’24, Campbell Collins ’24
Head coach: Suzanne Olson
Overall record: 8-8
Captains: Kathryn Chang ’23, Lily Halpert ’23, Nina Kirkpatrick ’23
IAAL 1st Team: Amy Walsh ’24
IAAL 2nd Team: Lily Halpert ’23, Nina Kirkpatrick ’23, GG Seibert ’25
Head coach: Nicole Gerdes
Overall record: 6-10
Captains: Lauren DeRose ’23, KK Lerch ’23, Blake Stefan ’23
IAAL 1st Team: Lauren DeRose ’23, Caroline Chisholm ’25
IAAL 2nd Team: Ali Gerber ’24
All-State 1st Team: Lauren DeRose ’23, Caroline Chisholm ’25
Head coach: John Hayburn
Captains: Kate Jasinski ’24, Maddie Jodz ’24
Emilia Cacciavillani ’25, Kate Jasinski ’24, and Claire Lingle ’24 were invited to compete in the Gold Cup for the Hoffman Prize on the Cooper River in NJ. Claire qualified for the final and took fourth overall.
At the Head of the Schuylkill junior women’s single, Emilia took fourth, Claire took fifth, and Kate took ninth.
Head coach: Stephanie Hogan
Captain: Ella Brown ’23 Avery Brennan ’26 came in first place in the AIS/EA Day race, leading the team to a win vs. Episcopal Academy.
Head coach: Sarah Lawrence
Overall record: 7-8
Captains: Reagan Pagano ’23, Anahla Thomas ’23
AAL 1st Team: Ella Zwilling ’24, Anahla Thomas ’23
IAAL 2nd Team: Sydney Chen ’23
Pelting rain during AIS/EA Day (the annual competitions in field hockey, soccer, tennis, and cross country) was no contest for Agnes Irwin’s spirit! While AIS did not bring home the banner, our incredible student-athletes gave it their all. The mighty cross country team snagged a win. Freshman Avery Brennan ’26 finished in first place, Orchie Hasan ’24 in fourth, Ella Brown ’23 in fifth, Chloe Costello ’24 in sixth, and eighth grader Isa Matuch ’27 came in eighth.
On the first day of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing period, four Agnes Irwin seniors were celebrated for signing an NLI to play their chosen sport at the Division I level in college next year:
• Lauren DeRose University of Iowa | Field Hockey
• Natalie Hofer Colgate University | Swimming
• Jamia Nelson University of South Florida | Softball
• Katie Repp Fairfield University | Lacrosse
As of November 30, four other seniors verbally committed to the admissions process:
• Kennedy Kelleher University of Chicago | Soccer
• Bailey McQuaid Trinity College | Squash
• Clare Minnis University of Virginia | Squash
• Eliza Vander Johns Hopkins University | Field Hockey
In October, professional squash players and sisters Amanda and Sabrina Sohby visited Agnes Irwin for an exhibition.
Last summer, Bailey McQuaid ’23, Cecilia “Cici” Curran ’24, Amelie Matuch ’24, and Audrey Gelinas ’25 spent two weeks in Egypt working on their squash game. “It was by far the most exciting and athletically humbling experience of my life,” said Cici. Bailey agreed, saying, “Playing with some of the best juniors in the world was tough, but we all embraced the competition. The most challenging part was keeping the same pace as the Egyptian players – they spend all day training and doing drills. After a few days, we adapted to their training style. Since Egypt, I feel more relaxed and confident when I play, and it has made me love squash even more.” The players even got to take in the amazing sights of Egypt.
Maya Johnson ’23, Lily Fusco ’24, and Liz King ’25 traveled to Sweden last summer with the Steel United club team to play in the Gothia Cup tournament where they won six games and advanced to the U17 quarterfinal. “We played some great soccer,” said team captain Lily. A highlight of the trip was the opening ceremonies in Stockholm. Defender Liz shared: “When the U.S. was called, I felt proud to cheer and honored to represent my country.” For her part, Maya said, “I loved learning about the Swedish girls’ lifestyles and bonding over the things we had in common, like watching similar TV shows and listening to the same music. It was a great soccer and learning experience.”
Sarah Platt ’16 (St. Joseph’s University ’20), and sisters Maria ’18 (Princeton University ’23) and Natalie Pansini ’20 (University of Maryland ’25), reunited on the lacrosse field over summer, but on opposing teams. All three AIS alumnae were selected to play in the World Lacrosse National Championships, with Sarah representing Israel and Maria and Natalie playing for Puerto Rico.
For Kelly Cooper ’21, being part of a team that captured history during her first two years at Middlebury College by winning its historic fourth and fifth consecutive NCAA titles, the bar for success has been set high. “I am so grateful to be a part of this team. We work tremendously hard to find consistent success on the field through the relationships that we have formed and through the joy we find in what we do together every day. I have learned so much in my time on the team at Middlebury thus far and, I cannot wait to experience everything we have yet to accomplish! “
Julianna Tornetta ’17 was named to the 20222023 US Women’s National Field Hockey Team (USWNT). She, along with her USWNT teammates, will participate in the FIH Hockey Pro league. The U.S. will have its first contest in February, 2023. Julianna, a Collegiate AllAmerican, played at Princeton University and used her fifth year of eligibility due to COVID-19 to work on her Masters in Business and Management at the University of Maryland.
At the start of each school year, the Agnes Irwin ninth grade participates in a full day of community service. “Agnes Irwin has a longstanding tradition of giving back, so the ninth grade day of service sets the tone for the rest of their time in the Upper School,” said Vanessa Pope, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning. “At least forty hours of community service are required in order to graduate, and many students log significantly more than that because they enjoy it so much,” she said. “Since Agnes Irwin prioritizes serving the community, we help students find opportunities to volunteer in order to further the mission of the school, practice humility, understand new perspectives, and connect with people from all walks of life,” said Pope.
The Class of 2026 headed to Cradles to Crayons, an organization that provides children living in
homeless or low-income situations with essential items. The girls spent the morning folding, sorting, cleaning, and packing books, clothing, and pajamas. Back on campus in the afternoon, the girls worked with Small Things Philly, a local group that distributes food, hygiene products, and household goods to partners in the Philadelphia area.
“The girls embraced the tasks at Cradles to Crayons and Small Things Philly with energy, kindness, and enthusiasm,” said Pope. “Not only did they focus wholeheartedly on the work, they also took time to have conversations with and bond with each other. They listened carefully to the leaders of the organizations and, throughout the day, did their best to make sure the contributions they were making would lead to a dignified experience for recipients. It was wonderful.”
“Since Agnes Irwin prioritizes serving the community, we help students find opportunities to volunteer in order to further the mission of the school, practice humility, understand new perspectives, and connect with people from all walks of life.”VANESSA POPE, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The 2022-2023 school year marked the start of a year-long roll out of the Middle School Leadership Keys, a new initiative launched by the Center for the Advancement of Girls (CAG) that focuses on helping fifth through eighth grade girls build what they need to lead — agency, confidence, inclusivity, and empathy.
“In the expansive body of research around girls’ development, it is generally understood that around fifth and sixth grade, girls identify as their most confident selves,” said Ali Monzo, Director of Programs in CAG. “Yet as time goes on, their confidence takes a nosedive – it is a questioning of self where girls retreat inward, a feeling that they do not have a strong sense of who they are and what they are capable of.” Research suggests that, to some degree, girls’ confidence bounces back in ninth grade. Still, the goal is to intervene and combat that nosedive so that Agnes Irwin girls can keep growing as much as possible, without as many setbacks.
Designed to expand upon the foundations of the Lower School Leadership Toolkit, the Middle School Leadership Keys are being introduced in curricular units, activities, discussions, assemblies, and reflections throughout the year, one leadership key at a time. “In the fall, we talked about confidence, winter is focused on inclusivity and empathy, and the spring will be all about agency. The idea is that if our girls are consistently thinking and talking about these leadership qualities and what they mean, they have a greater chance of absorbing, embodying, and understanding the conversation about them. Young girls need reminders – especially about their worth! It is our hope that they learn what these traits mean with intentionality as opposed to hearing them as empty buzzwords,” said Monzo.
Given the critical role that our teachers and faculty play in guiding the girls, CAG developed professional development mini-sessions that provide teachers with ways to incorporate the leadership key traits into curricular lessons. “All of our teachers and faculty are trained in and equipped with strategies that enable them to cultivate and
develop the key leadership qualities in our girls, regardless of subject matter, as well as to advance women and girls, generally. As they say, it takes a village!” said Monzo.
As for why the program centers around the concept of keys, Monzo shared, “There are lots of ways to cut a key just like there are lots of ways to be a leader,” said Monzo.
“The idea is that if our girls are consistently thinking and talking about these leadership qualities and what they mean, they have a greater chance of absorbing, embodying, and understanding the conversation about them.”
ALI MONZO
Thanks to a special grant from Goldman Sachs Gives, Agnes Irwin is partnering with Meredith Broussard, the school’s first visiting scholar. Broussard is an associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University, research director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and author of More Than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech (to be released March, 2023).
Over the course of the school year, Prof. Broussard and students from PreK to twelfth grade will explore some of the most exciting and cutting edge topics related to artificial intelligence (AI) and its limitations. This spring, Agnes Irwin will host an all-community event related to Prof. Broussard’s research and her work with the girls. Prof. Broussard shared: “This work puts The Agnes Irwin School and its community at the forefront of these important academic conversations.”
“We are so excited about Prof. Broussard’s work with us,” said Sally Keidel, Head of School. “Her work, which focuses on the intersection of technology, journalism, and ethics will benefit our students. We are grateful to Goldman Sachs Gives for the gift that allowed us to spearhead this great opportunity.”
Middle
Agnes Irwin’s New Upper School Theater Director, Sarah DeNight, Talks About Hitting the Ground Running at AIS, the Sold Out Fall Productions of “Legally Blonde The Musical,” and the Power of Performance
New Upper School Theater Director Sarah DeNight earned her first paycheck when she was nine for her portrayal as Zuzu in “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Media Theater. She bought herself a Furby and fell in love with the theater.
A graduate of DeSales University and the British American Dramatic Academy, DeNight acted professionally after college before becoming a teacher. “The Agnes Irwin position felt like a unicorn to me, a high school position solely dedicated to theater,” she enthused, continuing, “I was hired and hit the ground running.”
Fittingly, for DeNight’s first experience with an all-girls’ school, her first production would be “Legally Blonde The Musical,” a show that bills itself as “the ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power.” “Legally Blonde is a big, fun, and upbeat production,” she said. “For most of the cast, it is a brand-new experience, as big productions were impossible during the pandemic. The girls have tremendous buy-in, and I love their enthusiasm and integrity. Their growth has been incredible.”
For DeNight, the show’s message is multilayered. “While on the surface, Legally Blonde is about empowering women in general, it is also about championing strength in individuality. The show reminds us to not put ourselves in boxes,” she said. And just as there is not one way for an actor to play a role, there is not one sole way to be part of the theater. DeNight is excited about the flexibility the creative production allows students working in set design, lighting, and costuming. “A well-rounded theater program is a collaboration; for some, the creative outlet is singing and dancing, while for others, it is costume design. I hope to help all my students find the bravery, confidence, and joy that theater can cultivate.”
Opening night did not disappoint, with the cast and crew playing to a sold out house of enthusiastic fans. Leila Rodriguez ’23 took the stage as Elle Woods, last having appeared as Rosie in “Mamma Mia!” two years ago. The thirty-three person cast included faculty guests and two dogs as Bruiser Woods (compliments of Anna Woody ’27) and Rufus (compliments of Sarah McCarthy ’23). The mood was set by the stage design and an explosion of colorful costumes – a perfect match for the students’ dazzling and energetic performances.
Before the practitioners in this piece were making their impact, pioneering Agnes Irwin alumnae were breaking barriers for women in healthcare for over a century. Our archival records do not provide an unequivocal answer about the first Agnes Irwin alumna who went on to become a medical provider; however, it can be safely said that Mary Williams Brinton, Class of 1910, was one of the earliest. [See sidebar on page 34]. Despite the absence of a clear path or role models for women in healthcare at the time, Mary Williams Brinton forged ahead, following her passion. In 1920, she graduated from the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing and spent much of her career during two World Wars working as a nurse anesthetist treating influenza patients and delivering babies. Nurse Brinton was truly extraordinary.
In 1949, Mary Crawford Cummin ’41 earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, making her one of Agnes
Irwin’s earliest M.D.s at a time when only about five percent of U.S. medical school graduates were women. In 1962, Dr. Cummin earned her place in the medical history books as a pioneer in immunohematology when she discovered an anomaly in her own blood which she ultimately identified as the rare blood type, Lu (a-b-). For two decades, she operated the respected blood research laboratory she had established in her Villanova home; at the time, it was one of only five recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for diagnostic blood work.
Given the advantage of historical progress, perhaps even more earlier alums would have pursued medical careers. Consider Vidal Starr Clay, also Class of 1941. While not an M.D., Clay earned a Master of Arts degree and a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University in 1949. In 1977, a time when the medicalization of menopause was only in its most nascent stage, she penned a book, Women Middle Age and Menopause, which steered women against
Over the last few years, developing topics in healthcare have loomed large – a global pandemic, vaccine mandates, the advent of telehealth modalities, disparities in health equity, threats of contagious diseases, and here in the U.S., seismic changes for women related to reproductive health. Agnes Irwin alumnae in healthcare have seen it all up close and personal. Here, in their own words, twenty- seven alumnae talk about their rewarding careers, the state of healthcare, the future of medicine, and how AIS was foundational for their excellence.
healthcare at the time, Mary forged ahead, following her passion as a nurse anesthetist.
Mary’s legacy continued through generations of Agnes Irwin family members who have treasured memories of her. Ellen Whitman Stoddard ’93 recently shared with Agnes Irwin magazine: “I knew Mary Williams Brinton as ’Tante,’ a glamorous and important woman who lived in a beautiful home with a grand piano. ‘Tante’ had a special relationship with my grandmother, ‘Polly’ Hopkins Biddle ’38, whom she called ’Polander.’”
Nurse Mary Williams Brinton Class of 1910 was truly extraordinary. In 1950, she published an autobiography entitled My Cap and My Cape, in which she recollected, “I loved the atmosphere of [Miss Irwin’s School in Philadelphia] … but its cultural influence … left me at sea with my desire. That was to be a nurse … few people I knew had studied the profession, and there was no preliminary course.” Despite the absence of a clear path or role models for women in
In what seems to have been written in the stars, Mary’s great-great niece, epidemiologist Cynthia Biddle Baard ’02, also had a calling to practice healthcare. In December, she wrote to Agnes Irwin from the University of Cape Town, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in South Africa: “While I have vague memories of ‘Tante’ as a young child, most of my memories of her came via my grandmother, ‘Polly’ Hopkins Biddle. She told me how ‘Tante’ traveled to faraway
Mary Williams Brinton 1910 (lived to her 100th birthday)
Elizabeth Williams Scully 1911 Emilie Williams Hopkins 1912
Mary ‘Polly’ Hopkins Biddle 1938
Virginia Hopkins Lee 1940 Sheila Hopkins McMillan 1943
Charlotte Hopkins Biddle 1960
Elaine Biddle Whitman 1962
Lydia Biddle Thomas 1970
Ellen Whitman Stoddard 1993 Cynthia Biddle Baard 2002
places as a nurse, and how she was such a brave woman to enter into such a field and to take such risks. When I began traveling around the world for my own public health career, my grandmother would mention ‘Tante’ [and say that] my journeys and my career path reminded her of her beloved aunt. I have images in my mind of what I believe my great-great aunt’s journeys would have looked like, onboard a ship traveling to Alaska. Of course I believe we are an amalgamation of our taught and learned experiences, and this memory is quite strong as it has held a place in my mind since I was a young child.”
CYNTHIA BIDDLE BAARD ’02using hormone therapy during menopause. With prescience and a keen awareness of the societal constraints that limited women during her time, Dr. Clay dedicated her book to her father, a famed Philadelphia surgeon writing, “To my father, Isaac Starr M.D., who, though he thought daughters would only grow up and get married, showed me by his own example that the life of the mind, of research and writing, was an exciting and rewarding one.”
While the 1950s and 1960s continued to see women marginalized in the medical professions, unflagging AIS trailblazers pursued their goal to practice, deftly moving past anything in their way. Ophthalmologist Madeleine Ewing ’65 said that only ten percent of her Penn Medical School class was female; she nevertheless went on to practice for forty-nine years. Pam Brown Russell ’69,
who worked as a nurse for twelve years before entering medical school in 1981, told Agnes Irwin magazine in 1999, “I wanted to do more and thought I’d give a shot at medical school.” Pam retired in 2017 as a neonatologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), having developed the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lankenau Hospital, as well as the NICU at the CHOP Chester County Hospital satellite.
In the 1970s, the Women’s Equity Action League and Title IX*, both of which sought to level the playing field for women in higher education, suddenly made paths to careers in medicine more accessible to alums who seized the opportunity. In 1985, when Lisa Finkelstein-Domsky ’79 was training to enter the field of urology, University of California, Irvine reported there were only twentytwo female urologists in the entire U.S. Ophthalmolgist Carol
In 1970, the Women’s Equity Action League filed a class action complaint against every medical school in the country, alleging admissions inequity. In 1973, Title IX of the Higher Education Act prohibited education programs from discriminating against any person on the basis of gender.
“My grandmother told me how ‘Tante’ traveled to faraway places as a nurse, and how she was such a brave woman to enter into such a field and to take such risks.”
is important to recognize that while technologies have advanced since my great-great Aunt [Nurse Brinton] was working in Alaska as a nurse during the early part of the 20th century, one thing has remained constant: dedication to reducing the suffering of others. Ultimately, a successful career in medicine derives from an interest to give of yourself to others, which can be daunting, exciting, and exhausting all at the same time. If you have the drive, however, you must pursue it, as you won’t be satisfied with yourself until you at least try.”
CYNTHIA BIDDLE BAARD ’02, GREAT-GREAT-NIECE OF NURSE BRINTONBoerner ’68 remarked in an AIS web story in 2021: “As part of the new field of intraocular lenses, I was the first woman in the world to put a silicone lens into the human eye.” Estelle Whitney ’75*, an alumna beloved by her classmates and remembered for her thoughtful care of patients, pursued a career in obstetrics and gynecology. In 2005, Whitney told Upper School students at a career day, “I work solely in gynecology now, but delivering babies was magical.” Michele Christie ’76 also decided on a career in medicine, attending Jefferson Medical College and going on to practice endocrinology for thirty-eight years.
The span of 1980-2020 was a period of dynamic growth for Agnes Irwin alumnae in healthcare. In 1980, the percentage of female medical school graduates nationally had reached twentyfive percent, and by 2019, that number nearly doubled. Ten percent of the Irwin’s Class of 1991 went on to pursue doctorates in medicine or science, perhaps the highest concentration of doctors in one grade in AIS history. What’s more, our alums during this time reported that the ceiling was lifting. Pamela Tecce Johnson ’83, shared, “I personally never encountered gender discrimination. In my experience, you work hard, you are nice, you do your best, and you are treated well.” Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88 agreed, noting that in 1995, she “did not feel as though I was a minority nor did I think that women and men were treated differently … I think, having gone to an all-girls school, you don’t think of yourself in a supporting role. You are the role.”
Today, over fifty percent of matriculating medical school students are female and the scope of opportunities for women in healthcare is exploding. Kinna Thakarar ’99 entered medical school with an interest in global and public health. She began studying opioid disorders during her residency and gradually ended up focused on infectious disease and addiction medicine which she practices today. Sarah Yardly Jenkins ’06, Director of HIV Prevention at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, initially thought she would pursue an M.D. However, “I took a global health course in college which opened my eyes to the broader systemic issues that impact health, and the ways in which we can work to address those challenges.” Classmates from 2007, Suzie Welsh Devine and Andi Lucas Schmerin, transitioned their careers in traditional medicine to the booming digital health technology
industry after Suzie founded Binto, a digitally native women’s health company that connects women to health providers and personalized over the counter products. The team focuses on redefining women’s journeys from period to menopause.
Digital health technology, pandemic information Zoom sessions, genetics – these are topics that Nurse Brinton could never have envisioned one hundred years ago. As for what the next hundred years will bring, many of the women interviewed for this story said that we are on the cusp of prodigious medical advancements, such as zeroing in on pre-cancer in the human body before symptoms present and the rapidly-emerging discipline of personalized “genomic medicine” that uses genes as part of clinical care.
“It
“I was one of those people who just ‘knew.’ I had been talking about being a pediatrician since I was about four years old.” E. Hayes Bakken ’00
“I had always been fascinated by medical procedures and the world of medicine.” Andi Lucas Schmerin ’07
“Like many people in healthcare, I had a parent in the field. In my case, I often went on rounds with my father who is a cardiac surgeon (now retired).” Gage Parr ’87
“After coming of age in such a caring and nourishing environment as Agnes Irwin, it only made sense for me to go into healthcare.” Taliba Foster ’88
“I knew I wanted to be a surgeon during my third year of medical school. When I did my general surgery rotation at Methodist in South Philly, I had an advisor who was the epitome of organization and careful confidence. She was cool and collected. I saw somebody that I wanted to be like. It was a turning point.” Kelly Malloy ’93
“I would not have gotten into medical school if it were not for Mrs. Elsa Hartman, Head of the Middle School, who encouraged me to pursue medicine though the odds were against me. She would say, ’Follow your dreams. You can do it!’ Also, my Latin teacher, Miss Haviland Nelson, was an excellent teacher who taught the first AP Latin course at AIS that just five of us were a part of. I received a 5 on the AP exam. The Admission Office at the University of Pennsylvania felt that my achievement in that class informed them that I had the ability to pursue a medical degree.” Madeleine Ewing ’65
The women featured in this piece represent just a fraction of the hundreds of AIS alumnae who have left a legacy in healthcare. We would be honored to share more stories in an upcoming issue. To share your work or that of a classmate, please email bcorr@agnesirwin.org.
“For years, I would have said that the most valuable aspect of attending Agnes Irwin was that I learned how to write. Just this year, I’ve realized that what was most impactful was that Agnes Irwin provided me with a support system when my family was unable to. I was made to feel I was capable, the possibilities were endless, that I was worthy and had a purpose.” Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88
“I feel like AIS allowed me to think creatively and interdisciplinarily … and made it clear that curiosity could be harnessed into impact.” Iman Martin ’99
“My senior year, I took a programming class in Python that was taught by Dr. G [Steve Grabania]. The skills I learned in that class have helped me at every stage of my career. From data analysis to designing and implementing research questions, computer programming has become one of the most vital skills to have in science and healthcare.” Briana Chen ’12
“AIS gave me an amazing education taught by passionate leaders who encouraged my wildest dreams.” Taliba Foster ’88
“The first time I left the country to travel overseas was through the Special Studies Program (SSP) at Irwin’s, and since then I haven’t
BRINTON 1910 Nurse Anesthetist Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing
CUMMIN 1941 Immunohematologist University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, M.D. Vassar College, B.A.
stopped. For me, to travel was to be exposed to the differences around the globe. During my travels, I was exposed to the health needs around the world, and it was something I couldn’t ignore. After an internship at the Harvard School of Public Health, I made the decision to travel to East Africa and to immerse myself in the places I learned so much about. From there, I made the decision to pursue a career in epidemiology and I continue to work around the world with vulnerable communities.” Cynthia Biddle Baard ’02
“AIS helped fuel and foster my love of learning, dating all the way back to first grade! In Upper School, there were only six of us in Calculus and ten in Physics but Mr. [Ed] Gardner encouraged us, even though those subjects were not popular amongst girls in the early 1980s. I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Madeleine Ewing ’65 at Scheie Eye Institute of Philadelphia for my Special Studies Program (SSP). Dr. Ewing was such a role model – a highly-skilled clinician and surgeon who showed so much compassion toward her patients. At that point, I thought a career in medicine might suit me.” Beth Riley ’84
“Agnes Irwin provided me with many opportunities for leadership (from the Arts Board to Robotics to Debate Club) where I learned to ask difficult questions, have confidence in my reasoning, and to speak up for what I was passionate about.” Frances Chen ’09
“To me, the biggest takeaway from an Agnes Irwin education is the cultivation of curiosity. In my field, particularly for women, those who are most successful are the ones who are genuinely curious; they ask the right questions to improve the care, they are engaged in research.” Kelly Malloy ’93
“AIS helped me realize how much I was capable of. Our teachers set high expectations and challenged us to meet those goals. In the process, I felt like I built confidence that helped me seek out challenges once I got to college and helped me set high expectations for myself.” Emilie Melvin ’12
“The most rewarding part of practicing medicine is making a difference in women’s lives.” Maria Sophocles ’83
“When I graduated from medical school I took the Hippocratic Oath, in which I solemnly swore to keep my patients from harm and injustice. Every single time I talk with a patient, this solemn obligation, heavy responsibility, and incredible honor of being a doctor are foremost in my mind.” Angela Nahl ’81
“The best part of practicing medicine is about my relationships with people, about helping people through difficult times, resolving problems, and also seeing my pediatric patients grow up. There’s always more to learn. I love it.” Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88
“In radiology, we help doctors crack the case. We figure out what’s wrong so they can determine the next steps. In my role as VP of Care Transformation, the focus of performance improvement in medicine is also incredibly rewarding.” Pamela Tecce Johnson ’83
“I developed a treatment for dry eye disease using an over the counter product that changed the practice of opthalmology worldwide.” Carol Boerner ’68
“There are some days when I walk out of the operating room knowing that I’ve removed, or controlled, someone’s cancer so they can live a great life for as long as possible. You can’t beat that feeling.” Kelly Malloy ’93
“The most fulfilling part of my career is seeing how the various projects that I manage directly impact the care of the patient and support the safe delivery of care by nurses and providers. I have been an important contributor to the Penn Medicine organization.” Poppy Rae Bass ’80
Medical Writer
Columbia University, Ph.D. Vassar College, B.A.
MADELEINE
Ophthalmologist
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, M.D. Bryn Mawr College, B.A.
CAROL BOERNER 1968
Ophthalmologist
Jefferson Medical College, M.D. University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
Neonatalogist
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, M.D. University of Vermont, B.S.N.
ESTELLE WHITNEY 1975 (deceased)
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Howard University College of Medicine, M.D. Lincoln University, B.A.
“What I find most fulfilling about being an ER physician is getting to be there for people in their time of need. I take care of people with conditions ranging from a minor cut or ankle sprain to a lifethreatening heart attack or brain bleed, and everything in between. I love knowing that each day will be different and that even after being a doctor for over ten years, I still see or learn something new almost every shift.” Rosie Slack Lehmann ’99
“I am proud of my role as a teacher in clinical settings. I hope to teach students pearls of clinical wisdom that will stick. Someday, when they themselves teach the same wisdom to others, that impact grows even greater.” E. Hayes Bakken ’00
“The journey from mentee to mentor is rewarding. Seeing the excitement of those I am training and watching them grow and flourish in their careers gives me hope for the future of medicine.” Kinna Thakarar ’99
“As I’ve moved through medical training, the rosy images of caring for women that I imagined while studying AP Biology with Dr. [Darin] Katz and Bioethics with Ms. [Cheryl] Ellis have been sharpened by the realities of healthcare in the U.S. today. I now see my responsibility as a physician is to both care for patients directly, and also leverage the privilege of my medical degree to advocate for change.” Emilie Melvin ’12
“Starting a family and managing children with nightcall was challenging. At the time of my training as a neonatologist, I worked thirty-six hour shifts weekly and then came home to manage the household and family. There was no such thing as maternity leave, so I took two weeks off following the birth of each of my three children. Looking back, it’s all a blur. Today, everything’s better now with limited work hours per week, full maternity leave, and part-time positions.” Pam Brown Russell ’69
“Burnout is a problem in medicine, particularly for women with young children. We need to find ways for physicians to have a fulfilling practice, maintain clinical skills, and have reasonable work hours.” Beth Riley ’84
“The most challenges come from balancing home and work life especially when my son was small and I had to work nights. It’s sometimes hard to trust others to get things done and be ok with the fact that it’s ok if it’s not done ‘your way,’ as long as it’s successful.” Gage Parr ’87
Endocrinologist
Jefferson Medical College, M.D. Princeton University, B.A.
LISA FINKELSTEINDOMSKY 1979
Urologist & Medical Director of Telehealth at St. John’s Health Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, D.O. George Washington University, B.A.
Senior Project Manager, Penn Medicine Information Services
Villanova University, P.M.P. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, M.S.N. Widener University B.S.N.
ANGELA NAHL 1981
Medical Director, La Jolla LASIK Institute University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, M.D. Harvard University, B.A.
1983
Vice President of Care Transformation, Johns Hopkins Health System; Vice Chair of Quality and Safety, Johns Hopkins Radiology Jefferson Medical College, M.D. Harvard University, B.A.
“What is exciting is the Human Genome Project. That’s where we are headed.” Suzie Welsh Devine ’07
“As an epidemiologist and biostatistician dedicated to health equity, I believe that public health, clinical and basic sciences research can help contribute to understanding the impact of various social determinants of health, as well as biologic drivers of wellbeing, so that science can contribute to innovative solutions to unnecessary morbidity, mortality and health inequities.” Iman Martin ’99
“The biggest issue in healthcare is access.” Kelly Malloy ’93
“As we learn more about the human genome, treatment will be based more on how to combat and treat disease on a molecular level.” Gage Parr ’87
“Broadly, I believe the biggest global health challenge is the income inequality that exists between nations and the impact that has on the implementation of healthcare. We saw this gap illuminate during the COVID pandemic in terms of preparedness, but it extends beyond global pandemics to daily life and health. Each specific community requires unique solutions to problems that face them, and that
means that even if we do discover a vaccine or develop better diagnostics, we have to take the time to understand communities in order to effectively distribute and implement changes.” Cynthia Biddle Baard ’02
“I am committed to mentorship. By helping those who are underrepresented in medicine, such as women and people of color, I am actively diversifying my field. I am really proud of that.” Kelly Malloy ’93
“The future involves telehealth and increased use of digital health platforms and artificial intelligence to optimize the use of data and increase efficiency of a clinician’s time. Also, epigenetics is even more interesting than genetics itself!” Maria Sophocles ’83
“I work with a team to test technology for patients. For example, we are piloting special software and tablets for patients and families to access their medical records, track impending lab and test results, and follow a daily schedule to see all the treatments or tests planned for that day.” Poppy Rae Bass ’80
“I am excited about the ways technology can help make medicine safer and more accessible for patients. For example, there’s an amazing program developed by physicians at Penn Ob/Gyn where patients who have just delivered their babies text their blood pressure
“In radiology, we are on the cusp of major advancements in cancer diagnostics. Instead of taking an X-ray, we inject a radiotracer which acts like a missile in the bloodstream to find cancer that is too small to image. It’s very targeted. This allows us to find cancer long before a patient has symptoms.”
PAMELA TECCE JOHNSON ’83Founder & Medical Director, Women’s Healthcare of Princeton, Host of Gynecollege™ University of Basel, Human/Medical Genetics Jefferson Medical College, M.D. Duke University, B.A.
BETH RILEY 1984
Obstetrician/ Gynecologist Stanford University School of Medicine, M.D. Harvard University, B.A.
BETH BEGIER 1985
Senior Director, Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Johns Hopkins University, M.P.H.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine M.D. Princeton University, B.A.
GAGE PARR 1987
Vice Chair for Quality, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Cardiac Anesthesiologist, George Washington University University of Alabama School of Medicine, M.D. Princeton University, B.A.
Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinologist
Drexel University College of Medicine, M.D. Brown University, B.A.
“In STEM fields, one concept that is highly discussed is the “leaky pipeline.” This idea describes the phenomenon that as we look at progressively higher levels of STEM training, we see fewer and fewer women. For instance, although 50% of students receiving doctoral degrees in biology are women, there is a strong underrepresentation of women at the faculty level in life sciences. In the Columbia Psychiatry department, there are merely a handful of tenured female professors in the neuroscience research area. While this issue is in part due to systemic and structural barriers, women at all levels are vital to solving this issue. At every level, we as women have a responsibility to support each other. I encourage all women to step on each other’s shoulders, and not each other’s toes.”
BRIANA CHEN ’12
readings to their doctors from home. This technology has helped thousands of women stay safe at home by identifying high blood pressures – a sign of a dangerous complication after birth – and get help right away. There are so many creative ways to use technology to provide safer, more efficient, and more equitable care to patients and I’m excited to look back twenty years from now and see how far we’ve come.” Emilie Melvin ’12
“Medicine is beginning to place a greater emphasis on mental health, with an increased awareness and reduction of stigma. Yet, current approaches to psychiatry overlook the fundamental truth that men and women have distinct biology. For example, antidepressants that are highly dependent on women’s hormonal status are often less effective in peri- or post-menopausal women.” Briana Chen ’12
“As hospital systems get bigger and absorb more practices, processes get less individualized which is hard on both patients and doctors. Unfortunately, this means that the quality of care received will depend on the financial resources of the patient.” Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88
Medical Director, Main Line Psychiatric Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, M.D. Columbia University, M.A. University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
KELLY MICHELE MALLOY 1993Associate Chief Clinical Officer for Surgical, Perioperative and Rehabilitation Services, Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist, Associate Professor, University of Michigan Health Jefferson Medical College, M.D. Princeton University, B.A.
ROSIE SLACK
LEHMANN 1999
Emergency Care Physician
University of Rochester School of Medicine, M.D. Princeton University, B.A.
Physician and research, Infectious Disease and Addiction Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Maine Medical Center/ Tufts University School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, M.P.H. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, D.O. University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
“At Agnes Irwin, I took on leadership positions, pursued my interests, and developed friendships that sustain me to this day. Agnes Irwin was not just foundational academically, but for all the other aspects of my life as well.”
Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88
“Women were respected as much as men, as long as they pulled their own weight. I was determined that no exception be made for me as a woman. I spent many years regularly working thirty-six hours in a row then coming home and staying awake until my children went to bed.” Pam Brown Russell ’69
“In 1976, it was an adjustment to be a minority as a female undergraduate at Princeton which [was not co-ed] until 1969. I was very aware that many of my male peers in medical school formed study groups which did not include women. I do think they had an advantage as a result. It was also quite clear that women were not encouraged to consider surgical specialties. Most women were expected to choose primary care tracks. Fortunately these trends have now changed!” Michele Christie ’76
“There was tremendous inequity in the 1980s. I was told many times that women should not take up a spot in a medical school class that could be for a man who could support a family.” Maria Sophocles ’83
“When I started my career in the mid-1980s, there weren’t women of color in nursing leadership positions. There are more women of color now in these roles. I think this is great progress!” Poppy Rae Bass ’80
“Although there were only three women in my residency class, I never felt like a minority. There were women in other residency classes and plenty of female attendings to look up to.” Gage Parr ’87
“In medical school, I did not feel as though I was a minority nor did I think that women and men were different or treated differently or had different issues. I did not realize how wrong I was until much later in my career.” Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88
“We are nowhere near parity in surgery; it remains heavily maledominated. You still have to work three times as hard to show you’re at least as good as your male counterpart. The deck remains stacked against women when it comes to networking opportunities.” Kelly Malloy ’93
“Despite advances in medicine, there are still gender disparities in medical training and practice. Female doctors are twice as likely as their male counterparts to be called by their first name. As a young, female doctor, I have been mistaken for many members of the care team - but rarely the attending physician. These subtle instances of unconscious bias are a few examples of the hurdles that women in medicine face every day. I’ve had the privilege of having many mentors that have made my path easier, and I hope that in turn I can do the same for other women in training.” Frances Chen ’09
“Medical school itself felt equal in terms of ratio and general treatment, which I know was not the case even twenty years ago. I naturally gravitated to a specialty that is female predominant (it feels
Lieutenant Commander, United States Public Health Service Program Director, National Human Genome Institute University of Illinois Chicago, Ph.D.
University of Michigan, M.Sc. University of Ghana, M.P.H. University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
Medical and Quality Director, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, M.D. Harvard University, B.A.
Project Manager, University of Cape Town, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health University of Capetown, M.S. University of California, Los Angeles, M.P.H. Connecticut College, B.A.
Professional Associate, US Embassy, Madagascar; formerly Nurse Practitioner University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, B.S.N, M.S.N, WHNP Scripps College, B.A.
Director, HIV Prevention at Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. Georgetown University, B.S.
“It was actually Agnes Irwin’s non-science curriculum that gave me good grounding in literature and history and even art – it taught be how to think critically, to embrace progressive and non-traditional options, to organize thoughts, write persuasively, and enjoy public speaking and small group learning.” Maria Sophocles ’83
familiar after an all-girls education!) While many specialties are still uneven in terms of gender ratios, there are trailblazing women leaders in all major medical specialties these days. Representation can be so influential, and I think a large part of what drew me to Ob/ Gyn is the presence of strong female role models holding leadership positions in this field – it is really inspiring.” Emilie Melvin ’12
“When I am able to reduce a patient’s fear [during birth], to give her a feeling of empowerment and peace, and to have her begin her motherhood journey stronger and more in control of her situation, I know that I’m a healer.” Estelle Whitney ’75*, from a 2010 Agnes Irwin web story
“I love that in working as a nurse practitioner, I am able to dedicate my career to improving women’s health and well-being. I have had the privilege to see how women are the foundations of strong communities around the world — be it as mothers, spouses, neighbors, or friends.” Keri Zug Ernst ’04
“The best part of Obstetrics and Gynecology is being able to care for women and their families over the span of many years, often for happy events, sometimes for sad and difficult ones. It really has been an honor. The overturning of Roe v. Wade with the recent Dobbs decision has rocked my field to its core. Having practiced for over thirty years, I have seen many circumstances where the option of having an abortion is medically imperative. Of course, women with more resources will always have more options to get care out of state, further exacerbating health inequities in this country.” Beth Riley ’84
*deceased
Nurse and Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO, Binto University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, M.S.N. University of Virginia, B.S.N
Director of Operations, Binto Drexel University, M.P.A.S. Lehigh University, B.A.
“I hope [the Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade] will spur an increased need and understanding about medical abortion.” Maria Sophocles ’83
“I created a lecture series where we only invite junior or assistant professor level female physicians to speak. What happens in academic medicine is that you do not get invited to speak until you are a professor. But to become a professor, you have to show that you have been invited to speak somewhere. With this series, we were able to upend the traditional mechanisms needed to advance. You have to think outside of the box.” Pamela Tecce Johnson ’83
“Inevitably, as legislation increasingly dictates what people – and women in particular – can do with their bodies, I think medicine will need to continue to leverage our research and data to provide advocacy to protect our rights for the health of our patients and their future generations.” Emilie Melvin ’12
FRANCES CHEN 2009
Anesthesiologist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Stanford University School of Medicine, M.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S.
BRIANA CHEN 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Columbia University, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S.
Ob/Gyn Resident, Penn Medicine Georgetown University School of Medicine, M.D. Duke University, B.S.
“Working as an ER doctor through a global pandemic was terrifying and intense. Having access to my peers’ experiences and knowledge in real time was so valuable, and I can see that flow of information increasing in the future so that we as a global community will be better prepared to face the next new diseases.” Rosie Slack Lehmann ’99
“Covid and its fallout further exposed the health, racial, educational, and economic disparities in the U.S. It has proven that we need a more robust public health system.” Beth Riley ’84
“We learned that we can survive anything by putting one foot in front of the other. Coming out of the pandemic, I think we are facing a behavioral health crisis in kids. They bore the burden of staying home to decrease the risks for vulnerable adults. We must invest in our systems of mental and behavioral health care for children now.” E. Hayes Bakken ’00
“Isolation impairs child development.” Martha Dechert Bardsley ’88
“During Covid, social inequities had a microscope on them. It would be a disservice if once this is over, we don’t look hard at these issues of health disparity.” Kinna Thakarar ’99
“We learned two seemingly contradictory things: 1) That regular routine visits to clinicians help detect diseases such as breast cancer. We saw that people who stayed away during the pandemic were diagnosed at a later stage when they did return for an office visit; and 2) that telemedicine has tremendous benefits in terms of cost – and time efficiency – in delivering healthcare.” Maria Sophocles ’83
“As to patient isolation, we learned how valuable telemedicine platforms, along with iPads, were to keeping patients connected to their loved ones.” Poppy Rae Bass ’80
“Never forget your “why” – that will get you through countless exams, overnight shifts, and long call days. Surround yourself with friends and loved ones who support you no matter what and inspire you to be the best you can be.” Frances Chen ’09
“Go for it! We would so love to have you join the field. I encourage you to not get hung up on choosing the “right” major, internship, or first job. Never hesitate to reach out to people who you think are doing interesting things and ask questions.” Sarah Jenkins ’06
“A career in nursing can lead to many open doors not only in healthcare but in technology, government, pharmaceutical, and research. Options are endless.” Poppy Rae Bass ’80
“If you are passionate about something, don’t be afraid to carve your path. You can figure out a niche that works for you.” Kinna Thakarar ’99
“If you’re interested in healthcare, know that there are so many careers in the healthcare space related both to direct patient care (doctors, nurses, physicians assistant, respiratory therapists physical therapists, dieticians, social workers, speech language pathologists, just to name a few), and from a broader perspective (biomedical engineers, lawyers, policy makers and scientists). All of these roles are critical to caring for people and making a positive impact in the lives of others.” Emilie Melvin ’12
“Medical education brings many wonderful times as well as the more famous challenging ones. Some of my happiest times were spent in medical school. Do not be intimidated into thinking you should not pursue medicine because others are more qualified or talented than yourself. Do your best, with enthusiasm.” Beth Begier ’85
“To girls considering medicine, come join us! We need you! We need your enthusiasm and your fresh ideas.”
E. HAYES BAKKEN ’00
“Remember that ‘healthcare’ is a big space and there is room for you to contribute within the fields that comprise healthcare in your own special way, harnessing your passions. It is letting those fuel you that will ensure success.”
IMAN MARTIN ’99In December 2022, Briana Chen ‘12 was named to the Forbes “Thirty Under Thirty: Healthcare” for her research on gender disparities in the mental health field.
At Agnes Irwin, one does not need to look far to see motivated girls and young women living out the school’s tradition of striving for excellence and “getting in the game.” During the hot summer months, several juniors and seniors completed coursework and independent research in disciplines from legal advocacy and literature to language and lab work. Like AIS students often do, these students found connections to their developing interests and passions across a wide range of fields through guidance from teachers, college counselors, alumnae community members, and clubs, boards & orgs. We talked to fourteen students about their auspicious experiences, and we are proud to recognize their work here.
“If you want other people to see and celebrate your genius, you can’t be intimidated by those who want to undermine your talents or send you to the sidelines. You have to believe that you have a right to be in the game.”
JANICE KAPLAN, AUTHOR OF THE GENIUS OF WOMENWhen Annalee Stuardi-Drumm ’23 read about a local young man named Rashid Young, who had spent time in the foster care system as a child and had gone missing, yet no one seemed to be looking for him, she was pulled in. From the news, Annalee learned that a local lawyer started looking for Rashid and eventually discovered, three years after he went missing, that he had been murdered by his boyfriend and buried on the grounds of Awbury Arboretum in Philadelphia.
“The more I read about Rashid’s tragic story, the more connected I became. I wanted to know how many foster children go missing, who is looking for them, and what can be done to help,” said Annalee. What she learned was harrowing –approximately fifty-five foster children go missing in the United States every day which amounts to 20,000 children annually. A 2022 Department of Health and Human Services’ report found that children who go missing from foster care
in the United States are typically gone for an average of thirty-four days before being found, and their disappearances rarely make headlines.
A motivated Annalee dove into independent research as a summer intern at the law firm of Kline & Specter in downtown Philadelphia. “At the beginning, I focused on figuring out how to start a non-profit. I did a lot of research,” said Annalee. “I learned that there are organizations that focus on finding missing and exploited children, but there is no group that focuses specifically on finding children missing from the foster care system. I wanted to change that. It was clear to me that being able to find just one child is critical.” She researched non-profit classifications and ultimately wrote a mission statement for what will become an eponymous organization called “Finding Rashid” that will not only honor Rashid and his story, but will also focus solely on finding other missing foster care children.
As her passion grew for the project, so did her commitment. Annalee, the law firm, and Temple University Beasley School of Law collaborated to create a practicum whereby current law students can contribute work to Finding Rashid as part of their curriculum. To grow and expand the work, Annalee recruited and reviewed applications from law students who joined her cold calling and emailing efforts – work that has paid off in the form of connections with several large organizations in Philadelphia that offer services and programs to benefit foster children. From these now-ongoing relationships, as well as a commitment to scouring missing persons databases and social media, the Finding Rashid foundation began searching for missing foster care children in September, 2022. “We should have verification to receive our 501(c)3 status by early 2023. I will stay on the project through the school year,” said Annalee. In the meantime, during the fall trimester, she studied Critical Theory and Government/Civics. “I am lucky to have introductory exposure to the law through Agnes Irwin.”
Ilike reading all kinds of books,” said Ella Brown ’23, who started at AIS in eighth grade. “I read a lot of fiction, some fantasy, murder mystery. I was really into Agatha Christie for a while.” English Department Chair Lydia Traill recommended Ella take the Haverford College Great Books program, an intensive week-long literary course. A takeaway was confidence to approach literature, such as Keats and Plato, that previously seemed intimidating to her. “I now know that I can understand and enjoy authors who seemed less approachable to me before,” she said. A highlight of the program was participating in a creative writing workshop. “It is important to be a strong writer. I am interested in taking more creative writing courses.”
Most of our readers are unlikely to know what flow cytometry is (including this author). “It is a technique used to detect and measure physical and chemical characteristics of cells,” said Maya Johnson ’23. This summer, Maya worked full time as an intern at the University of Pennsylvania Cytomics and Cell Sorting Resource Laboratory. “My internship was delayed due to Covid. Over the past year, I participated virtually but it was great to finally get to work in the lab.”
Maya was the first high school intern in the Penn Cytometry lab in at least five years. “Learning how to use cytometers is a complex process and takes years. At first, I knew very little. But by the end, I was learning ’cell staining,’ which is a specialized type of flow cytometry for sorting cells.” One of her favorite parts of the internship was seeing applications of flow cytometry. “One of my bosses did a sort, taking bone marrow cells from breast cancer patients and sorting for tumor cells. This enables us to see whether the cancer treatment is working. It is amazing,” she said.
Maya, who started at AIS in the 9th grade, is currently taking Engineering and has found a new love for math. “Ms. [Tricia] Colclaser helped further my interest in math. The lab experience this summer made me even more interested in applied mathematics.” Does she plan to keep her interest going? “I really enjoyed the internship. Maybe I will work in flow cytometry. We’ll see,” she said.
Hampton University, Virginia
Following in their family’s footsteps, Dakota and Sydney Puriefoy ’24 ’24 spent a week at Hampton University, a historically black university in Virginia, learning about Chinese language and culture, leadership development, economic development and global affairs. The goal of the Young Diplomats Program was to learn how the U.S. and China respond to humanitarian issues. “Sydney and I have family who participated in this program,” said Dakota, adding, “Our mom is a Hampton University alum!”
Dakota found diplomacy to be an interesting topic. But in her eyes, the best part of the program was the trip to Washington, D.C. where they visited the Chinese Embassy, took a tour, listened to a panel and met the Ambassador. “I learned a lot. I always knew I wanted to go to a historically black college [or] university (HBCU). But now I know that my goal is to go to Hampton.” Sydney agreed, saying “I was interested in this program because it was at Hampton. I may be interested in learning more about diplomacy but as of now, I am excited to learn more about law and psychology.”
Rosa Huffman ’23, who is interested in foreign policy, international relations, and humanitarian issues, spent much of summer and fall working on a comprehensive research project that looked at one of the United States’ most hotly contested questions. “I examined the question: What is the effectiveness of the new Biden-Harris Administration strategy on the root causes of Central American migration?”
Rosa conducted her research paper through Polygence, a research academy that connects students with one-on-one mentorship from top academicians and practitioners. She analyzed the novel approach by the Biden administration on Central American immigration and the recent influx of refugees in the United States by looking at past U.S. policies and foreign aid programs and relating them to the new Biden administration strategy. “I also looked at the current relationships with Central American countries,” said Rosa. “This new policy shifts away from those of the past which focused on immigrants’ rights in the U.S, instead of getting to the “root cause” of the immigration problem: immigration itself.”
During her time at Agnes Irwin, history and English have been Rosa’s favorite subjects. “The ability to debate, discuss, and question events of the past, present and future intrigues me which is why I wanted to conduct my own research outside of my class settings,” she said. “It was Global History I and II that really sparked my interest. I hope to study international relations as an undergraduate, and eventually go to graduate school and pursue a career as a diplomat.”
Casey McIntyre’s ’23 interest in photography started by taking landscape pictures on her iPhone. At the height of Covid during her sophomore year, she started taking pictures of Agnes Irwin friends and classmates as a way to document the unusual year. “I joined the yearbook team which had a small staff, so I became the main photographer. I invested in a Canon camera. I’ve just kept going,” said Casey. Last year, Athletic Director Courtney Lubbe gave Casey a sideline pass for games so that she could get the action shots. Her favorite type of photography is sports because she likes “capturing those highintensity moments that might not happen again.”
In spring of 2021, Casey designed an independent SSP where she spent two days at Citizens Bank Park with the Philadelphia Phillies. “I got to see the wells where the photographers and videographers get all the shots,” said Casey. “It was incredible.” Over the summer, she took some of her classmates’ senior yearbook portraits, photographed AIS camp, and her photography appeared in the summer issue of Agnes Irwin magazine as well as the 2021-2022 AIS Annual Report. “It means a lot to me that my Agnes Irwin classmates, friends, and teachers like my photography,” she said. Casey, an AIS “survivor” since kindergarten, has taken Photography I and II and III and Media Arts. “I want to study photography in college, and I might explore sports marketing,” she said. This spring, Casey will be heading back to Citizens Bank Park to participate in their High School Associates Program.
We acknowledge and thank Senior VP, Partnership Sales & Corporate Marketing, Jacqueline Cuddeback P’25, Kathy Killian, VP Administration for the Phillies, and the Philadelphia Phillies for making Casey’s photo at Citizens Bank Park possible.
Iconsider myself a science and math person,” said Orchie Hasan ’24, an AIS “survivor” who worked full-time as a lab intern during the summer months at Ursinus College under Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Mark Ellison. “I was one of three interns working on ongoing novel research that examines the use of carbon nanotubes to help overcome antibiotic resistance,” said Orchie. Since it was her first time working in a lab outside of class, Orchie shared that she had a lot to learn about lab procedures and equipment. “One of my favorite tests was when we did what is called ’total viable count’ tests where we would take bacterial strains of E. coli, dilute it to different concentrations, and then we would let it grow and count the groups of bacteria in the plate.”
At Agnes Irwin, Orchie has completed Physics Honors I, Chemistry Honors I, and is currently taking Biology Honors I. There is a strong interest in science in her family, as well. “My mom is a psychiatrist, my sister is a neuroscience major, and my brother is currently in medical school. I guess I learn a lot from hearing about what they are learning too.” Orchie hopes to continue the legacy. “I could see myself working in a lab again.”
A ncient Greek a dead language? “No way,” said Cookie Quirk ’24, who spent two weeks at the Paideia Institute in Greece. “The language lives within modern Greek culture and has extended its influence throughout the world,” said Cookie. During time spent in the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, Olympia, Delphi, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Cape Sounion, and Aegina, she and her group discussed philosophy, ancient Greek society, myths, and studied the ancient Greek language.
So, how does a sixteen-year-old become passionate about the classics in hyperpaced 2023? “I took my first Latin class in middle school and became interested in how ancient societies’ beliefs developed into our own,” said Cookie. “In Dr. [Patrick] Beasom’s Latin II class and Ms. [Shayna] Slininger’s Latin III Honors, I learned to see Latin as a form of self expression steeped in rich history.” Cookie is currently studying Ancient Greek II at AIS. “The classics have played a big role in my AIS experience.” As for whether Cookie thinks she will continue to study the classics in college, she declared, “Of course!”
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University
Patel ’23 loves to crunch numbers. Having taken every math course available to her at AIS up to Calculus II (BC) Honors, Khushi knew she loved math but wanted to see if she liked finance as a field of study. After completing a two-week program through Wharton Global Youth Programs, she remarked, “It turns out that I love finance! Now I cannot wait to pursue this path in college,” she said. To Khushi, learning about the “time value of money” was a highlight. “I learned that finance is built upon this one idea that money’s value is constantly changing. One dollar today does not necessarily equal one dollar in the future. If the value of money is constantly changing, so will the decisions you make for personal and corporate growth,” she said.
Khushi reported that there were many girls in the program, and shared a promising report from the program –“[according to] the Wharton alumni guest speakers, there is an increase in the number of women in the corporate workplace,” she said. Looking toward the future, she will become part of this cadre of women if she pursues her goal of a career in finance, data analytics, and statistics. Wonder how much one dollar will be worth then? She can tell us later!
Lilly Press ’23 may be the best saleswoman for the Agnes Irwin STEM program. “I have always been a STEM girl. At AIS, I have taken Computer Science, Engineering, Calculus and I am taking Probability and Statistics this year. I am also on the robotics team and part of Mathletes which is so fun and academically challenging. We always need more girls on Mathletes, so please join!”
Lilly completed a month-long engineering program at Johns Hopkins University where she did – you guessed it – more math! “My favorite part of the program was learning statistics. My group participated in the program’s spaghetti bridge competition where we held 8 kilograms on our bridge using 350 grams of spaghetti and epoxy.” Lilly hopes to pursue a career in engineering, especially after hearing from guest speakers who work in field. The 70/30 male to female ratio at the program did not give her pause. “STEM has always been male-dominated, but I am not discouraged to study or pursue the discipline,” she said.
During a three-week Global Works program, Anna Scott ’23 climbed the Eiffel Tower, saw the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame, toured the Palace of Versailles, visited Carcassonne and Mizoën, and even celebrated Bastille Day – speaking français all the way. “I love French,” Anna shared. “At AIS, I have taken French I, II, and III. My ability to speak the language improved in France. My host, Fabienne, and I only spoke in French.” So inspired was Anna by her experience that she shared, “I want to study French in college. I am grateful to Madame [Rita] Davis for teaching me so much. I felt I knew more French than most of the students in the program. I realized how great our AIS French program is.”
Some students just know what they want to do. Lilit Estepanians ’23 is one of them. “I’ve always had an interest in math and science, especially chemistry,” she said. “My favorite teacher is Ms. [Rosann] Westmeyer who taught me Chem I Honors and Chem II Honors. She really helped me realize my potential.” In
fact, AIS recognized Lilit for her excellence in chemistry when she was awarded the American Chemical Society Award during her sophomore year. “Last year, when a family friend told me about her job as a pharmacist, I remember being interested right away,” said Lilit.
Lilit attended the University of Pittsburgh RxPLORE program in order to gain exposure to the role pharmacists play within the healthcare system. “Students who are currently enrolled in the pharmacy school helped put together the program and recruited staff for lectures. They gave us lots of advice and inspiration which was great,” said Lilit. Her favorite part of the program was learning the exact steps of preparing an IV bag. “We did the calculations. It felt so real,” she said. Lilit said she could see herself working as a pharmacist in an emergency department someday. “I like people and problem solving, and I think I could handle the rush and demands of emergency work.”
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Academic
Rosann Westmeyer, Science Department Chair, and the school’s inaugural Anne Bullock Perper ’76 Leadership Fellow, remembers coming to her Agnes Irwin interview ten years ago and feeling like she came home. “I went to an all-girls school and was lucky to have had teachers who encouraged me,” said Westmeyer. She laughed, “I think some of them knew I would become a teacher before I even recognized it myself.”
The Perper family established the Fellowship Fund in 2019 to recognize teachers who instill a joy of learning, kindle an enthusiasm for knowledge, and spark dreams in their students. The recipient of the Perper Fellowship will have demonstrated teaching and leadership skills and have had a profound impact on their students’ growth. It is an honor that can be held from two to five years.
Alumnae returning to campus often praise Ms. Westmeyer for encouraging and motivating them to pursue and engage in meaningful experiential work, connecting what they were learning in the classroom to real-world situations.
Ms. Westmeyer is “a mentor,” said an alumna describing
During Covid, Kathrine Minnis ’23 came to AIS from a co-ed school in Brooklyn, NY. Does she miss co-ed? “Honestly, not really,” she laughed. When she and Vanessa Pope, Agnes Irwin’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Learning, talked about summer learning opportunities, the idea of interning at Agnes Irwin’s Center for the Advancement of Girls (CAG) came up. “At my old school, there wasn’t a center that focused on what is best for girls. It’s so unique so I thought it would be a great experience to learn more about what CAG does.” Kathrine conducted outreach and research inquiries with local organizations that focus on experiential service learning opportunities for students. “The most important thing I learned was how impactful community service is. I want to incorporate giving back to the community in whatever I do in the future,” said Kathrine.
her former teacher. “Mentoring? I guess it is,” Westmeyer mused, continuing, “I just think of it as relational. We know the girls as people, not just learners or students. Because of the relationships I or another adult in the community have with the students, we are able to steer them toward or to connect them with their passion.” Ms. Westmeyer admitted that it can be easy to connect a girl who has a clear vision of that passion but said it is even more fun to connect with students who may not be as directed. “If a student pursues something and it doesn’t ignite, that’s of great value as well,” she explained. “They can then take that course or pathway off their radar as part of their growth.”
Westmeyer shared that the reason she loves Agnes Irwin is the culture. “Agnes Irwin gives each of us the opportunity to know each girl. It is something we do well,” she said.
Terrain Gardens at Devon Yard was the place to be on November 3 at our first regional alumnae event of the school year. Over seventy-five attendees, ranging from the Classes of 1959 to 2015, enjoyed a beautiful evening of conversation and catching up under the twinkling lights.
Head of School Sally Keidel remarked, “It’s wonderful to see you here celebrating your connection to Agnes Irwin and each other. The Agnes Irwin that you love and support is thriving. I think you would be proud of our current students and Agnes Irwin today.”
1. Kate Wymard ’08
2. Sally Keidel catches up with longtime Lower School teacher Pedie Gardiner Hill ’71 3. Lexy Pierce ’06 and Alexandra Fergusson Powell ’00 4. Hadley Harper Witcher ’82 and Jennifer Keh Creary ’93 5. Chloe Burch Seaver ’10 6. Sally Keidel welcomes alumnae 7. Lauren Mayer Sweetser ’08 of the Upper School History Department chats with friends
8. Lisa Borodyansky ’14, Xiomora Lozano Torres ’17 and Gigi Geary ’14 9. Sydney Cruice ’77 and Laura Wheeler Golding ’64 10. Sally Keidel with Karin Platt ’68 11. Meg Scott, Director of College Counseling, greets Xiomora Lozano Torres ’17
12. 1999 Classmates Elizabeth Wasley Reese and Nina Micozzie Tyre
13. 2004 Classmates excited to reconnect Kate Pierce, Blaire Stoveld Osberg, Elspeth Fergusson Knighton, Katie Jenkins Stockel
2023
SAN FRANCISCO BRUNCH
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Presidio Social Club San Francisco, CA
WASHINGTON, DC BRUNCH
Sunday, February 5, 2023 Mon Ami Gabi Bethesda, MD
REUNION WEEKEND 2023 Friday and Saturday, May 5-6, 2023
Celebrating classes ending in 3 or 8 The Agnes Irwin School Rosemont, PA
NEW YORK CITY RECEPTION
Thursday, June 15, 2023 Location: To be announced
In September, 600 students, teachers, staff, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and family members filled the Lower School lawn to swap stories of summer and meet new friends.
Over 150 parents came out for Band, Bubbles, and Beer to enjoy music from The Griz Trio and delicious pizza from the Common Good Pizza truck.
Chairs: Lesley Coulson P’29, Maura Daniels P’24, and Erin Hinckle P’23 ’24 ’26
The 22nd annual Agnes Irwin Cup hosted seventy golfers at Sunnybrook Golf Club for a day of backspin, birdies, and bogeys. The Net Champion was the foursome of Leo and Eve Bullitt Pierce ’72 P’04 ’06 ’09, and Netchen and Ed Kaier P’96.
Chairs: Alice and Christian Bullitt P’27 ’28, Kara and Tim Chisholm P’25 ’26, and Carrie and David Grau P’25
November’s Owlidays broke both fundraising and attendance records! The event was expanded to include over thirty shops from Chestnut Hill to the Main Line to Newtown Square.
Chairs: Delia Biddison P’29, Catherine Haldy Jarman ’98, P’29 ’31, and Amanda Scanlan Barton ’97, P’29
Tien-Yueh Kubach P’27 ’29, Communications Volunteering gives us a chance to support our wonderful community, as well as thank all the amazing faculty and administrators who influence and help shape our daughters.
Jody Seibert P’18 ’21 ’25 ’31, LS Division Coordinator
I volunteer because I know that tuition does not cover all the costs of life at Agnes Irwin. I have four daughters who have either graduated or currently attend Agnes Irwin and by volunteering as a class parent, event chair, and working shifts in booths, I have not only helped our school through fundraising, but I have engaged with our community and developed connections and friendships with students, parents, faculty and staff.
Ann Thorkelson P’32, Events Coordinator I can’t think of a better place to volunteer than at the school that my daughter and I love so much! 1
4. Andi Lucas Schmerin’07, Sally Keidel P’27, Melanie Lucas DeStefano ’09, Stevie Thompson P’07 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’16
High attendance and new friends have been the themes of this year’s PC events so far.
Lee McIlvaine
Manonian ’66 shares, “I am living with my French husband Simon in Wayne. My oldest child Stirling Churchman was married on Zoom during Covid to Andy Strominger in Cambridge, MA. Stirling (Associate Professor of Genetics) runs the Churchman Lab at Harvard Medical School. This winter, Simon and I will travel to Melbourne, Australia to see our Manonian grandchildren (11 and 13 years old) and then to Vero Beach, FL.
Margaret Tucker DeTemple ’82 presented a public lecture in April exploring the architectural and historic connections between Harcum College and the residents and developers who shaped the town of Bryn Mawr, beginning In the late 19th century. During the height of the pandemic, Margi, wife of longtime Harcum College President Jon Jay DeTemple, immersed herself in learning more about the Victorian architecture of the president’s residence. Working with the College archivist, Roxanne Sutton, and other references, her exploration expanded into a two-year project
to document all the Victorian buildings that are and were located on Harcum’s campus, historically referred to as “The Harcum Mile.” “Learning about the President’s house involved discovery and sleuthing and was a great diversion from the isolation of the pandemic. My curiosity led to a larger journey about Harcum’s campus and the town of Bryn Mawr. I was born, raised, and educated in Bryn Mawr. Now that I live along the Harcum Mile, this journey has brought me full circle and helped me know more about my birthplace and the town’s history.”
In addition to anchoring on Fox29 Good Day, Karen Hepp ’89, is loving running her beach yoga business, Pure Pony Yoga, with her sister Lizzie Hepp Lange ’00 on 82nd Street beach in Stone Harbor, NJ. Karen and Lizzie look forward to seeing fellow AIS alumnae on the beach!
Jocelyn Hepp Kotary ’93 resides with her family in Charleston, SC, and returned to Philadelphia in the spring to celebrate her 25th University of Pennsylvania reunion with her sister, Lizzie, also a Penn alum.
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1. Jocelyn Hepp Kotary ’93, who now resides with her family in Charleston, SC, returned to Philadelphia to celebrate her 25th University of Pennsylvania reunion with her sister, Lizzie Hepp Lange ’00, also a University of Pennsylvania alum 2. Campbell and Beckett, children of Bill and Brooke Norrett Corr ’95 3. Mike and Tracy Otley Viola ’95 cheer for the Owls at the AIS pep rally with daughters Ashley ’26 and Erin ’30. Ashley performed her pep rally dance with the JV soccer team and they were awesome! 4. 1998 Classmates Hads Ogden Holmgren and Laurel Lundstrom were selected to attend the Tory Burch Embrace Ambition Summit in June 2022. They were accepted based on essays they wrote about how they challenge stereotypes in their professions 5. Lizzie Hepp Lange ’00 celebrated her birthday with siblings Karen Hepp ’89, Jocelyn Hepp Kotary ’93 and Rob (The Haverford School ’04) in Stone Harbor, NJ 6. Mary O’Neill ’04 married Stephen Westcott at Overbrook Golf Club in April 2022. Lexy Pierce ’06 photographed the event 7. Abbe Wright ’03 celebrates her marriage to Nicholas Devlin with classmates (from left to right) Winnie Schulz Most, Amanda Earl, Anastasia Dorrance Grillo, Emily Peters, and Sarah Calvert Lartey 8. Corina Sylvia English ’00 and her husband Mike had their fourth child Charlie on January 26, 2022. Nolan (9), Keira (7) and Ava (4) are in love with their little brother
Corina Sylvia English ’00 and her husband Mike had their fourth child Charlie on January 26, 2022. Nolan (9), Keira (7) and Ava (4) are in love with their little brother. Cori lives in Villanova across the street from Agnes Irwin. She is a Principal at Hamilton Lane where she has been for fifteen years, managing Institutional Private Markets portfolios. She is on the Board at the West Hill School and enjoys playing golf with her family and even a few AIS friends in her spare time.
Elizabeth Hepp Lange ’00 celebrated her birthday with siblings Karen Hepp ’89, Jocelyn Hepp Kotary ’93 and Rob (The Haverford School ’04) in Stone Harbor, NJ. Lizzie is enjoying life as a mom with her new baby Charlie, born on December 13, 2021. In addition to her job as partner focused on mergers and acquisitions at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP, Lizzie is loving running her beach yoga business, Pure Pony Yoga, with her sister Karen on the 82nd Street Beach in Stone Harbor, NJ.
Molly Scudder Miller ’02 and her husband, Cullen, moved to Palm Beach, FL before the pandemic in February 2020. Molly is currently the head of the Development Office at Oxbridge Academy, an independent school
in West Palm Beach, FL serving students grades 6-12. In her role, Molly oversees Annual and Capital Giving, Alumni Relations, Parent Programming, Community Engagement, and Strategic Partnerships while also serving as the Girls Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach. Molly helped Oxbridge Academy celebrate the school’s 10 year anniversary despite the pandemic and prepare Oxbridge for the next decade and beyond. She is forever grateful to Agnes Irwin and credits the school for helping shape who she is today. From her time both as a “lifer” and as an employee of Irwin’s, she gained valuable exposure to independent school best practices. Many of the new traditions and programming she is bringing to Oxbridge are inspired by the deep-rooted sense of community and spirit that is the culture of Agnes Irwin.
Abbe Wright ’03 was married to Nicholas Devlin on September 17, 2022. The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Ardmore, PA, and the reception was at the Fitler Club in Philadelphia. In attendance were fellow owls from the Class of 2003: Winnie Schulz Most, Amanda Earl, Anastasia Dorrance Grillo, Emily Peters, and Sarah Calvert Lartey.
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1. Amanda “Nan” Hough ’08 married Michael Bacon in a small ceremony in Park City, Utah on September 3, 2022. Nan’s whole family was in attendance including fellow alumnae sisters Caroline Hough ’03, Allison Hough ’01 and Lauren Hough Williams ’99
2. Mikelle Nickens ’05 with her husband Sheldon Fields and son, August 3. Rachel Wahl ’11 married Aaron Hamburger at Jasna Polana in Princeton, NJ. Bridesmaids included AIS alumnae Katey Duffy ’11 (far left) and Kate Wahl ’15 (to the bride’s right).
4. Rachel Wahl ’11 with her new husband Aaron Hamburger on October 15, 2022
Amanda Bunten Smallwood ’11 and husband Connor are happy to share the news of the birth of their daughter, Amy Barbara Smallwood, on April 8, 2022. The Smallwoods live in Columbus, OH.
Lauren Wenger ’12 graduated from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law in May 2022. Lauren received her Juris Doctor with a concentration in Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution. In midOctober, as an early birthday present, she found out she passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam with a score high enough to practice in any jurisdiction that accepts scores from the Universal Bar Exam (UBE).
Fenian Kenney ’17 is happy to share that she published a book review in The French Review on the book called Mûr Mediterrannée written by the Haitian writer Louis-Philippe Dalembert. The book is about three women who seek asylum and the atrocities and tribulations that they are forced to endure. Fenian is in the second year of graduate school at the University of Notre Dame and is currently studying in France.
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1. ALUMNAE BOARD (Left to right) Back row: Pamela Brewer Smyth ’71, Katherine Rieger Righi ’08, Gail Evans Guthridge ’71, Janie Whelan ’12, Madeleine Katz Niemiec ’03, Neely Burch Morandi ’09, Elspeth Fergusson Knighton ’04; Second row: Phoebe Somani ’15, Nina Hutchinson Pruitt ’87, Erica Shippen ’99, Jane Finkenstaedt ’14, Alexandra Greco ’07; Front row: Andrea Lucas Schmerin ’07, Krysta Shivick Hopp ’99 (President), Campbell Crochiere ’12; Not pictured: Rafhia Foster ’91, Janet Gilmore ’96, Wendy Chamblin Gunselman ’69, Lexy Pierce ’06, Blythe Tarbox ’09, Madelaine Whitehead ’10 2. Amy Barbara, daughter of Connor and Amanda Bunten Smallwood ’11, is all smiles
3. Kate Tocci ’12 married Marc Hostovsky on September 3, 2022. Kate celebrated with her sister, Lexi Tocci ’09, as well as 14 of her fellow 2012 classmates 4. Lauren Wenger ’12 (right) with sister Katie Wenger ’14 (left) at the Kimmel Center celebrating Lauren’s graduation from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law in May 2022
5. Eliza Moran ’13 married Carson Buell on September 10, 2022
2000 Allison Dodd to Chris Blake October 1, 2022
Margaret Moore to Joe Bocchino September 3, 2022
2001 Christina Givey to David Oxley February 26, 2020
2003 Abbe Wright to Nicholas Devlin September 17, 2022
2006 Nicole Marchetto to Alan Purtell September 25, 2021
Mary Gretz to Jamie Gardiner September 24, 2022
2008 Emily Christian to Greg Diehl October 1, 2022
Amanda Hough to Michael Bacon September 3, 2022
Lauren Mayer to Branden Sweetser July 16, 2022
2011 Amanda Bunten to Connor Smallwood July 16, 2021
Nancy Taylor to Ryan Holmes July 9, 2022
Rachel Wahl to Aaron Hamburger October, 15, 2022
2012 Kate Tocci to Marc Hostovsky September 3, 2022
2013 Eliza Moran to Carson Buell September 10, 2022
Marielle Berkman to Jonathon Bell October 1, 2022
Charlie Lange, 7 months, son of Lizzie Hepp Lange ’00
1999 To Ryan and Suzy Schwartz Peffer, a boy, Winston Michael August 21, 2022
2000 To Charles and Lizzie Hepp Lange, a boy, Charles Robert December 31, 2021
2004 To Matthew Betz and Lorraine Lampe, a girl, Kaly Rain Betz July 5, 2022
To Zachary Redlitz and Emily Pickering, a boy, John Pickering September 14, 2022
To Terrance and Hadley Schroll Sullivan, a girl, Mackenzie Malone July 20, 2022
2005 To Paul and Charlotte Dorrance Marshall, a boy, Sage LeRoy August 1, 2022
To John and Natalie Jones Brennan, a boy, John “Jack” Francis III October 11, 2022
To Sheldon Fields and Mikelle R. Nickens, a boy, August Jameson May 7, 2022
2006 To Alan Purtell and Nicole Marchetto, a girl, Lannon Marie October 22, 2022
2006 To Brian and Victoria Johnston FitzPatrick, a girl, Contessa “Tessa” Catherine October 29, 2022
To Sam and Toby Eyre Peele, a boy, Luke Hudson October 11, 2022
2009 To Alex and Laura Wagoner Manion, a boy, Nolan Michael August 12, 2022
To Devin Cela and Frances Chen, a girl, Elliot “Ellie” Debbi October 31, 2022
2011 To Connor and Amanda Bunten Smallwood, a girl, Amy Barbara April 8, 2022
1940 Molly Billings Hummeler November 6, 2022
1942 Patty Gilkyson Agnew May 21, 2022
1944 Nelly Keffer Lincoln December 2, 2022
1948 Anita Wood Kneass July 15, 2022
1949 Cathryn Wendler Mecaskey June 24, 2022
1951 Xandra McCurdy Schultz October 23, 2022
1953 Pamela Robinson Nichols September 19, 2022
1957 Peggy Justice Scholl November 12, 2022
Mary Elizabeth Rawle Slattery October 7, 2022
1959 Mary Liversidge Stanley September 10, 2022
1970 Sarah Nassau June 30, 2022
1971 Nancy A. Fay August 11, 2022
1976 Liane Armstrong O’Donnell July 4, 2022
1998 Megan Dorsey Clawson October 12, 2022
Major: Biological Physics
Double Minor: French and German Elizabeth Scott ’19 is enjoying studying in the nation’s capital and points to the election in 2020 as a quintessential D.C. moment. “My friends and I joined the swarms of people who walked to the White House on election night. No matter your party affiliation or feeling about the results, the celebratory feeling of an election is a moment in history,” she shared.
This feeling of infinite possibilities defines Elizabeth’s time at Georgetown University. “Agnes Irwin prepared me so well that I had an open mind to many paths.” Last summer, Elizabeth studied literature and history in Germany and liked living there so much that she is applying for a competitive fellowship award to conduct research there post-graduation.
A lifer at Agnes Irwin, Elizabeth said that her interest in pursuing a medical profession began at Agnes Irwin. “Ms. [Rosann] Westmeyer encouraged me to apply to be a research intern in the Gene Therapy Program at the University of Pennsylvania,” she said. If her ambitions become realized, she will be part of a group of women who are still breaking barriers in this field, with about eighteen percent of doctorates in Physics currently awarded to women.
Over the summer, Rachel Meng ’21 and twenty friends went road tripping from Princeton, NJ to Kansas to Los Angeles. But this was no ordinary road trip. Rachel and her friends are teammates on the University of Michigan’s top-ranked Solar Racing Team. This trip, called the Michigan Sun Run, was an exhibition race that focused on outreach while also collecting data through an advanced sensor outfitted in Aevum, the team’s 16th solar car. “The mission of solar car racing is to develop innovations that can advance sustainable technologies for a greener future,” Rachel said.
At AIS, Rachel was on a variety of teams, including Arts Board, Impulse, RepCo, and varsity tennis and softball. Her favorite classes were science. “I think I took a class with every teacher in the science department and I was on the robotics team,” she said. Wanting to build on this foundation, Rachel joined the Michigan solar car team. While the team is eighty percent male, she felt prepared to jump in. “Agnes Irwin fosters confidence and resilience,” she said. When she is not working on solar cars, you might find Rachel in the Honor Council, on the board at the school’s chapter of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, or ironically, walking. “You do a lot of walking in college. It’s not really emphasized just how much,” she laughed.
ELIZABETH SCOTT ’19Young alumnae share what they are up to in college –and what they brought with them from Agnes Irwin
“I am grateful to have gone to an allgirls school because as a result, I regard — and consequently manifest — my status as a woman in scientific academia not as a disadvantage, as many statistics would suggest, but as a fortifying asset.”Rachel
George Washington University
Major: International Affairs, Contemporary Cultures & Societies concentration
Double Minor: Arabic Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology
Asiyah created her blog, “Covered Girl Chronicles: the Life of an Everyday Muslimah,” during her PIP (Personal Interest Project) in AIS teacher Dan Slack’s English class. “The assignment was to spend the year producing a tangible thing of interest that could also help people,” she explained. “I love fashion, culture, and writing, and as one of only a few Muslims or people who covered in the AIS community, I wanted to tie all my interests together while creating space for African American Muslim women like me.”
Asiyah came to Agnes Irwin in sixth grade and remembers prioritizing cross-cultural exchange and awareness in a new space where she was “either the only Muslim womxn or hijabi and one of very few Black girls.” She added that, “My mom and I chose Agnes Irwin because it was all-girls. I felt comfortable speaking up.”
From early on, Asiyah had a focused vision. “I knew I wanted to do something internationally focused,” she said. At AIS, she was involved in the Multicultural Board, serving as co-head, facilitating conversations surrounding diversity and bridging cultural divides. Even as a young alumna, AIS has invited her to speak to the sixth grade history classes about her journey as a young Muslim woman, navigating faith in a secular environment. As though living out the AIS mission to learn, to lead, and to live a legacy, Asiyah shared, “It is important to me to make a legacy in the spaces that I enter and leave.”
Contact Brooke Norrett Corr ’95, Director of Alumnae Relations, with updates bcorr@agnesirwin.org
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Concentrations: Behavioral Economics and Management “I love coming up with creative ways to solve problems,” said Saguna Malhotra ’19. “Business allows you to have an impact at a higher level. I also enjoy being surrounded by people from all around the world who have similar interests. My best friends at Wharton are from Turkey, Italy, Russia, and Columbia. Of course, I am close with (fellow AIS alumna) Anne Curran ’19 who attends Penn and is studying Diplomatic History. We started the Penn Mergers and Acquisitions Club together.”
While Saguna has been inspired by all of her Wharton coursework (except Engineering – “It’s not for me!”), Strategic Marketing was a favorite. “We looked at case studies to see how companies’ decisions affected them over time,” she said. Last year, she used some of this knowledge at McKinsey & Co. (global management consultants) where she was a Summer Business Analyst. Looking forward, Saguna can envision herself as a chief brand officer of a retail company.
From her semester in Paris this fall, she wrote: “In Paris, I lived with Cordelia Hare ’17, another AIS alum, who is getting a Master’s in Media and Creative Industries at Sciences Po Paris.” Aside from strong personal relationships, she counts her writing skills as a main takeaway from her Agnes Irwin education. “Mr. [Dan] Slack taught me how to write well. Writing is a foundational skill for the work I do at Wharton.”
We would love to hear from you!Postcard from Paris! Cordelia Hare ’19 (left), Saguna (center), and Sara Wada ’17
Doctor of Philosophy candidate, University of Maryland NASA Goddard Space Flight Center M.S., Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Maryland B.S., Physics, University of Chicago
“I left Irwin’s with a lot of interests. Maybe too many,” laughed Carrie Volpert ’13, a K-12 lifer. What she knew for certain was that she wanted to understand the world as it is; to figure things out to her satisfaction. Carrie was recently selected for the NASA Pathways Program. “This federal employee position will continue through the rest of my PhD, and then I will work as a physicist for the detector systems branch. It’s exciting!” she shared. We caught up with Carrie about her education, passion for learning, connections to AIS, flying in the stratosphere, and yes, aliens.
A favorite AIS memory? In third grade, we observed the moon and recorded its phases in a moon diary. I loved it. Did you like going to a girls school? I did! Other than friends, there were few distractions. It felt like the primary function of Agnes Irwin was learning, and I like learning. Favorite classes? Studio Art. I still have some of my art, like this piece on my wall. What is it called? It doesn’t have a title. Can you title it now? Sure. It’s now called “The Traveler.” Favorite activities at Agnes Irwin? I am generally bored but widely interested [laughing]. So I did whatever my best friend, Anne [Scattergood ’13], did.
We are still close. I rowed, was into photography, and was a member of a bunch of clubs – debate, chess, model UN – each for one year only.
How did you decide on the University of Chicago? The questions on the application were vague and open-ended. I liked that creative, inquisitive vibe. Do you remember the application question you answered? Yes. It was “Where’s Waldo?” How did you answer? I ignored the prompt. Instead, I wrote about five times that I almost got hurt while being curious. You majored in physics with a specialization in astrophysics. Yes. Physics seemed to have the most convincing explanations to me. Do you feel like you understand how the world works now? No. I was naive. Now I know even physics cannot explain everything.
Tell us about your current work as an astrophysics PhD candidate. I am an experimentalist. There is a difference between studying something and interacting with it. If you want to study a distant star or galaxy, you can’t really go there. So capturing it in a way that it can be studied involves experimental astronomy – it is like a combination of astronomy and photography.
What specifically do you do? I am working on building infrared micro-spectrometers. A spectrometer separates light that comes through a telescope by wavelength instead of spatial location, allowing us to identify what generated the light. At infrared wavelengths, we observe the ‘cold’ universe: the dust and clouds of dense gas from which stars first form. I was afraid I might get lost at this point in the interview. Yes, unfortunately the language is daunting. This instrument I’m building will fly in a stratospheric balloon about the size of a football stadium. The telescope scans the sky and records data with the spectrometer, creating a map. Can you remote control it from Earth? It turns out that balloons are really hard to control. [laughing] We can control the telescope and the hardware, but for the balloon itself we can only control when it comes down. Most of us have seen the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) images in the news. Amazing, isn’t it? JWST is pushing the edges of our field. It is providing the most detailed images at these wavelengths that we have ever seen of distant galaxies and deepened our understanding of exoplanets, galaxies, star formation, and more. The way we live in our modern world is really dependent on space technology.
What is the coolest thing your work has allowed you to experience? Flying in the stratosphere, which is 10,000 feet higher than commercial airplanes on a specialized NASA aircraft. Are there many women in your field? In physics, about twenty percent, and maybe as many as thirty percent for astronomy. But the higher you go, the women thin out. Do you think the root cause of this “thinning out” is biology? I think biology only enters the conversation because we as a society haven’t yet decided to prioritize equitable expectations about the burden of having and raising children. Women’s bodies themselves in no way exclude them from excelling in science, and the idea itself is baffling.
Asking for a friend … aliens? UFOs? Statistically, in my mind, I think alien life probably exists. Maybe, or maybe not, in a way that we would recognize. I don’t know if we will ever really get the answer. I think the human race would have to live much longer to have a good shot. Are the UFOs in the news real? More likely, they are products of U.S. or foreign defense and spycraft projects.
Artist: Hiroshi Yoshida or Marina Abramović
Art medium: Oil paint and mixed media
Space movie: “The Martian” or “The Arrival”
Book: The ThreeBody Problem by Liu Cixin (“The English version though. Apparently the Chinese version is sexist.”)
Senior Assembly topic: The correlation between highachievers and mental illness or more simply, ’Genius and Madness.’
“The way we live in our modern world is really dependent on space technology.”
CARRIE VOLPERT ’13
1977
Dolores Figueroa Verdeur ’80, Upper School English teacher, recalled the day this photo was taken.
Noting her youthful impressions of greatness and inspiration, Verdeur remarked, “I recall I was in ninth grade at the time and I was class president. We were gathered to take the student government photo, with the class presidents together. I remember that I felt a little shy because I was a freshman and I was surrounded by all these impressive upper class women, the leaders of the school. We were in Mrs. Lenox’s office. (Mrs. Lenox was not there. In retrospect, it was nice that she gave us free rein to play in her office.) We came up with the idea of imitating the pose of founder Agnes Irwin. It was just a spontaneous thing, nothing more. Wow! It’s fun to remember those days!”
Pictured, from left: Dolores Figueroa Verdeur ’80, Stephanie Christie ’78 (dec.), Suzanne Chasteney Reinfeldt ’78, Ellen Van Pelt Jordan ’77, Elizabeth Buck King ’77, Dee Washburn Slaymaker ’78, Hope Flammer ’79, Cathy Smith ’77 (sitting)
