Yielding the Floor

J O S H U N D A S A N D E R S ’ 9 6 W R I T I N G F O R E Q U I T Y AND JUSTICE

STORY BY JULIE CLANCY / PORTRAIT BY JULIAN BUDGE

JOSHUNDA SANDERS ’96, “Shunda” to those closest to her, is described on her website with three words: author, journalist, educator (see sidebar page 33). She writes nearly every day and has for as long as she can remember. Her frame is equity and justice, and her focus is amplifying the voices of those who have been and still are marginalized.

Writing grew in importance to Joshunda when she enrolled at Emma Willard School as a sophomore from the Bronx. As we spoke by phone, Joshunda recalled the pre-reading she did for several courses before arriving at Emma and how she was introduced to black writers in an English class for the first time. It wasn’t that she didn’t know of any black writers, it was that her previous English classes failed to include any voices of color in the coursework. At Emma, Catcher in the Rye shared space on the syllabus with Gorilla, My Love. Joshunda felt hopeful and began to seek out more authors who had been excluded from the mainstream literary canon. Her English teacher, Kathleen McNamara, made introductions via book suggestions and that—coupled with many, many days and nights in the library with issues of Ebony and Essence—grew Joshunda’s connections, and the importance and necessity of sharing her own voice.

Today, Joshunda is the author of multiple books and articles as well as a children’s book series, I Can Write the World. Her drive to present people of color with opportunities to share their voice and story is steadfast, earnest, and welcoming. I asked Joshunda about all the slights and neglects that have long made that opportunity nearly impossible and what she saw as the greatest impediment now. Her response began with one word, “Privilege.”

Joshunda elaborated, calling attention to film, television, journalism, and publishing, as four key platforms where people of privilege could shape change by simply yielding the floor to an equally deserving marginalized person. Joshunda highlighted Joaquin Phoenix as a most recent example of turning his time on stage into a call to include diverse voices more fully and automatically. Joshunda pointed out that in sharing the stage, the privilege, and the platform, minority voices are heard and experienced by both the majority and the minority populations. Long-term systemic change depends on the insistence, persistence, and reliability of those with privilege reflexively sharing the platform.

As Joshunda and I were talking about platforms, I had to ask her about a phrase she used when discussing the information overload with which we all wrestle each day and the difficulty in swatting away the relentless barrage of published untruths. Joshunda had called this “the commodification of truth.” We’ve seen this. We know it. It’s the exaggerated to the blatantly untrue, that which would never pass a fact check, and yet persists because it is shared over and over, each time with heightened urgency. It’s aggressive in its very nature because it lacks the solidity of truth and cannot be truly backed up. It remains active and thorny and pokes at us for reaction. And that, as Joshunda explains, is the very point.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the comments section on most websites delivering “news” or news, have divested themselves of any responsibility for the factualness of the content shared by its users. Every day, millions of people habitually check their feeds for updates, news, information, and connection. And each day, these millions of users are presented with a choice: to simply absorb the content as-is or to engage actively with what is being presented. Joshunda believes that those least susceptible to the workings of the commodification of truth are those who recognize it by asking questions. It requires work, patience, curiosity, and resolve to meet each platform with questions such as: “For whom is this content intended? Why is it being said and by whom? How is this message inspiring a particular action, behavior, or response? What populations of people are being excluded from this?” Those questions alone change the viewer—the majority being women—from a passive consumer to active editor. This very process is how Joshunda makes her way through the noise, demands, and untruths to meet the underrepresented people whose voices and

truth deserve amplification. And thus, her personal platforms yield the floor.

As Emma Willard School moves forward with a deep commitment to equity and justice, Joshunda reminds us that this long-time work is big and ever-evolving. It requires a willingness to be uncom- fortable, to insist on and expect to hear and see things that fall outside of one’s comfort-zone, and to resist the urge to push away discomfort. It requires openness and com- munity agreement that it is okay and reasonable to sometimes get it wrong. It also requires honestly identifying when it comes up wrong and to make amends. Joshunda was careful to point out that a “safe space” is a concept that is different for everyone. As such, Joshunda gravitates toward using the term “courageous space.” It must be a space that allows us to be comfortable enough to do the thing that scares us. It is a space that shows us our blind spots and biases, our inconsistencies, our privileges, and our hopes. Joshunda believes that the mission of a com- munity is best demonstrated in equitable practices for all. Film, television, journalism, and publishing, are four key platforms where people of PRIVILEGE could SHAPE CHANGE by simply YIELDING THE FLOOR to an equally deserving marginalized person.

What’s next for Joshunda includes traveling to Cuba, her 20th reunion at Vassar, publishing the second installment of her chil- dren’s book series, teaching, visiting schools, and leading readings at the New York Public Library. She had also been slated to speak at Honors Convocation at Emma, before the pandemic altered spring plans. Joshunda also serves as a speech- writer to the President of Lehman College and will extend her time to conducting workshops at K–12 schools and colleges.

Joshunda’s love for and dedica- tion to writing—grown in the library and classrooms at Emma, expanded in college and beyond— has given her a microphone, a con- nection, a way to reconcile, and a tool to amplify her story and the stories of many.

Julie Clancy serves Emma Willard School as director of admissions and 10th grade advisor. She holds a BA in English and History from Siena College and an MA in English from the College of St. Rose and is in her 11th year on staff at Emma. AUTHOR Publications include How Racism and Sexism Killed Traditional Media: Why the Future of Journalism Depends on Women and People of Color and a memoir, The Beautiful Darkness: A Handbook for Orphans. In Summer 2019, her first book in a children’s book series, I Can Write The World, featuring Ava Murray, a Black girl journalist from the Bronx, was published by Six Foot Press. The next book in the series, A Place of Our Own, is scheduled for publication this year.

JOURNALIST Her work has appeared in TIME Magazine, The New York Times, Oxford American and many other publications. She writes a monthly newslet- ter about the writing life and books. She is the creator and host of a BookTube channel, Black Book Stacks.

EDUCATOR She has been a speaker at Princeton, JusticeWorks, NYCPride’s Human Rights Conference, South by Southwest Interactive, Bard and Old Dominion University. She has taught writing and journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and The New School. She also pre- sented “Content is a Dirty Word: Rebranding Creatives” at SXSW Interactive and as part of the Black Books Matter panel at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Bologna, Italy.

In Recognition

BY SUZANNE ROMERO DEWEY AND ROBIN PROUT

SUSIE HUNTER ’68 Empowered Leadership

Emma Willard School educates generations of curious girls who become empowered women serving and shaping their world. That’s the mission. Susie Hunter ’68 is the personification of Emma Willard’s vision for girls education and an inspiring advocate of the school’s rich tradition and thoughtful vision.

Susie came to Emma Willard in the class of 1968, adding to a legacy set by her mother, Honorary Trustee Irene Mennen Hunter ’35, her aunt Mildred Mennen Hapgood ’33, as well as her two sisters who graduated in 1963 and 1966.

“As a second year sophomore,” recalls Ann Gambling Hoffman ’70, “I saw Susie Hunter as larger than life. I made the varsity field hockey team and remember trying to emulate Susie’s athletic agility, but mostly Susie’s drive and enthusiasm. As the younger student looking up to our ‘sister class’—there Susie was again as head of Student Council. Articulate, inclusive, thoughtful, and I recall my young self reflecting on that girl’s leadership gift. I remember thinking, ‘The Administration loves her, the teachers love her, and students follow her lead.’”

Ann further notes that the Hunters were active with the school even while Susie was a student. “Susie’s mom was often on campus. I would marvel how Susie and her mom looked exactly alike and wondered how a family became an integral part of the fabric of our school.” Susie graduated from Smith College, earned an M.S.W. from Rutgers University, and subsequently volunteered in numerous roles for the school, giving generously of her many talents to support the core elements of the Emma experience. This generosity, likely learned at home, now extends the Hunter Family’s magnificent dedication to the school. Susie and her family made the Hunter Science Center a reality. Susie joined her mother in establishing the Hunter Service Learning Endowment Fund, and she led the $1 million challenge to establish the Endowment for Women’s Leadership in Technology. Susie is an engaged philanthropist who enjoys exchanging ideas with members of the Emma Willard community.

An experienced trustee leader for numerous education, arts, and community organizations, Susie has served as a Trustee for Emma Willard School since 2015 and the Board Chair since 2017. Serving alongside Susie on the Board of Trustees, Ann Gambling Hoffman further reflects on Susie’s contribution: “Lucky for Emma Willard, Susie Hunter continues to lead. Our Board Chair leads with vision, grit to make it happen, intelligence to know when to listen, and grace to include all in the discussion. Her board motto during these three years has been ‘aspiring to ascend.’ Susie’s tireless efforts to have Emma be the leader in educating today’s girls has served our school well.”

Fellow Trustee Betts Howes Murray ’73 also comments on Susie as a leader. “She is a wonderful leader without being, in any way, over the top or exclusive. She is not afraid to deal with conflict, not afraid to bring up a counterview. She is extremely generous and it’s always fun to have a conversation with her. She has a great sense of humor! People really like Susie. I know I do.”

Incoming Board Chair Lisa LeFort ’72 shares a similar appreciation for Susie: “Susie’s term as Board Chair started with a Convocation and ended with COVID-19. Her hope that she could lead by ‘aspiring to be great’ was fortuitous. No time for business as usual. As part of a family with generational ties to Emma, she provided the new Head of School Jenny Rao with historical context to our traditions and values. When our campus

Emma Willard School is grateful for the inspiring leadership of Susie Hunter ’68, who wraps up her tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the end of this school year.

was shuttered last spring [due to the pandemic], Susie reminded us of our founder’s vision to prepare young women to serve and shape our world.

Today feels unfamiliar perhaps, but we are well-served by emulating Susie’s legacy of stewardship and hope.”

Head of School Jenny Rao also enthuses, “Susie has been the best possible Board Chair for a new head. She has helped me establish my footing, has been a frequent and engaged sounding board, is thoughtful, spirited, and holds Emma Willard School in her heart of hearts! She has taught me so much. Her work with our strategic planning and during COVID-19 this past year has kept the school on the right and best path.”

Susie steps down from her role as Chair of the Board at the end of this academic year. She has done much for the school with her volunteerism, her leadership, and her vision. As she passes the gavel to another capable Emma Willard School alumna as Board Chair, she has made her mark and empowered her alma mater to do likewise.

Admissions

How to Apply Applying to a new school can be overwhelming. The admissions team at Emma is here to help make the application process as easy as possible. The Emma application process includes the following:

APPLICATION This can be completed online at www.emmawillard.org/admissions. The application includes:

❑ Application Form ❑ Essay ❑ Parent Statement ❑ Application Fee

TRANSCRIPTS Should be completed by a school official and contain a minimum of two years of credits as well as the first semester or trimester of the current academic year.

RECOMMENDATIONS

❑ English Teacher ❑ Math Teacher ❑ Teacher of Choice

TESTING While we look at much more than test scores when selecting our future students, standardized tests help us learn more about each girl’s academic background. More information on the tests we use in our admissions process can be found at www.emmawillard.org/ admissions.

INTERVIEW Please contact the admissions office at 518.833.1320 or admissions@emma willard.org to schedule your interview.

IMPORTANT DATES Application deadline: February 1 Financial aid application deadline: February 1 Admissions decision: March 10 Enrollment contract and deposit due: April 10

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