NCS Alumnae Share Experiences, Insights

NCS is fortunate to have so many alumnae willing to return to the Close to share their experiences and insights with NCS students. During “Alumnae Visiting Days,” Oct. 11 and 12, 2012, several alumnae demonstrated the breadth of the NCS community beyond the Close.

On Friday, Oct. 12, Dr. Xanthe Scharff Ackerman ’98 appeared as the latest “Educating Women for the World” speaker. Now the associate director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, which focuses on universal quality education in the developing world, Ackerman  spoke to the Upper School about how setbacks in her early career led to unexpected opportunities.

When she was in Malawi on a summer internship with CARE, a friend interning  at the Christian Science Moitor called to say they needed an article about poverty in Africa. Ackerman wrote a story that had just one sentence about how a young girl had to stop her education in order to support her family. That one sentence generated a strong response; readers sent in pledges, Ackerman published more stories, and built up a scholarship fund for the girls in the village.  Ultimately, Ackerman created Advancing Girls' Education in Africa (AGE Africa), an organization that now provides educational services to over 400 secondary school girls in Malawi. Today she works in a volunteer capacity as chairperson of the organization.

 

“Opportunity ties into service, the opportunity to serve others,” she said. “Maybe you don’t have a perfect plan, but when you do have an opportunity, it can change your life. You never know when that moment may come.”

In response to students’ questions, Ackerman said it took her a while to figure out what she wanted to do. “Carol Eliot taught a religion class that lit things up for me,” she said, citing the course reading of Paul Tillich’s works. Her least favorite thing about NCS? The early mornings. Her favorite? The faculty. “I always knew and felt that they cared about me,” she said.

On Thursday, Oct. 11, Elizabeth “Liz” Maw ’91 spoke to Social Science Teacher David Sahr’s students about her experience as C.E.O. of Net Impact, an organization that helps businesses make a social and environmental difference. Maw has been honored for her work in sustainable business: In 2010, she was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, and in 2011 was named one of the 100 most influential people in business ethics.

Maw explained how Net Impact was founded 20 years ago by a group of MBA students who were interested in new business models, such as Ben & Jerry’s, that made social conscience a part of their business practices. Today, Net Impact’s work has resulted in campus greening projects, curriculum change toward greater equity and inclusion, and business models with a focus on sustainability.  At NCS, Maw and students discussed how to recognize fair trade products, the merits of local versus organic foods, and recycling effort. She encouraged them to look for signs of corporate responsibility in the products they buy.

Maw said that the roots of her career go back to her high school years at NCS; “there was a lot of emphasis on volunteering, and that exposure was meaningful.” She also said that “at NCS it’s so natural for women to be leaders, which served me very well. I always thought I could be a leader.”

During the Oct. 12 Cathedral service, Charlotte Woolley ’05 sang the prelude, Laudate Dominum, composed by Mozart for his Solemn Vespers. Charlotte is currently teaching voice at NCS in addition to pursuing her career in opera. The homily, “Recovering a Sense of the Holy,” was given by the Reverend Virginia Brown-Nolan ’66, who currently serves as the Interim Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Silver Spring. During the past 26 years, she has served congregations in Washington, D.C.; Maywood, Illinois; and Mill Valley, California; as well as on the staff of the Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan.

A panel of young alumnae also appeared as part of an Oct. 11 evening program for parents, “How to Raise Smart, Savvy, Resilient Girls.” After a presentation by Associate Head of School Dr. Elinor Scully, the panel discussed what social issues challenged them during their years at NCS. Answers ranged from “making friends in Lower School” to social decisions in 11th and 12th grades. The panel agreed that parents should model the same limits they set for their children, and that if a child makes a mistake, it’s important to address how to work through the mistake, rather than the consequences.  Melisa Krnjaic ’07, Madeleine Howe ’07, Hilary Malson ’07, Claire Dugan ’08, Alyssa Penick '08 and Becky Durling '08  took part in the panel.

We appreciate all of the alumnae who came for “Alumnae Visiting Days” and thank them for their wisdom and continuing support of our school!