ALUMNAE AWARDS

2022 ALUMNAE AWARDS

Young ‘57 & Brooks ‘16 Honored with 2022 Alumnae Awards

The Chatham Hall Distinguished Alumna Award was established in 2010 to recognize distinguished graduates representing diverse professions and interests, and who embody the characteristics and values of Chatham Hall, such as honor, respect, and integrity. Recipients have included:

2022 Sherley Young ’57, Educator 2021 Martha Ann Keels ’75, Pediatric Dentist 2020 Jane Sherron DeHart ’54, Historian and Scholar 2020 Claudia Emerson ’75, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet and 2008 VA Poet Laureate 2019 Laura Brown Cronin ’72, Business and Finance 2019 Anne Blodget Holberton ’69, Finance and Community Advocacy 2018 Kathy Reynolds Chandler ’68, Hall of Fame Skier 2018 Helene “Lanie” Zimmermann Hill ’46, Radiation Biologist 2017 Kate Bulkley ’77, Journalist 2017 Sarah Morris ’72, Archaeologist 2016 Gloria Bond Clunie ’71, Playwright 2015 Nina Johnson Botsford ’72, Community Activist 2014 Polly Wheeler Guth ’44, Philanthropist 2014 Povy LaFarge Bigbee ’51, Rancher and Agriculture 2013 Leila McConnell Daw ’58, Artist 2013 Frances “Hallam” Hurt ’63, Neonatologist 2012 Anne L. Bryant ’67, Educator 2011 Diane Heiskell Schetky ’57, Forensic Psychiatrist 2010 Elinor R. Greene II ’70, Minister 2010 Penelope Perkins Wilson ’41, Philanthropist

Our newest accolade is The Leader on the Rise Award which recognizes Chatham Hall graduates from the last twenty years who have distinguished themselves through creativity, achievement, and/or innovation either in their profession or through commitment to an issue, project, or cause. This year’s recipient:

2022 Imani Brooks ’16

Congratulations to Sherley Young ’57 on being selected as the 2022 Distinguished Alumna Award recipient and Imani Brooks ’16 named the inaugural Leader on the Rise Award recipient!

Young, who received her B.A. in history from Smith College and her M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania, has dedicated her life to empower women and has more than 50 years of teaching experience and extensive experience on educational boards as well as as a visiting lecturer. She has also led 14 international trips for Habitat for Humanity including to Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Nepal. As a leader, she encourages local participation with project teams so that the methods used and learned by the community members will continue to empower the residents after participants have returned home. In 2014, she became involved with the SEGA Girls’ Secondary School in Tanzania where she developed and implemented a two-week oral fluency program. Truly, she has been involved in local, national, and international affairs for more than half a century in myriad ways.

“Sherley Young has empowered women from around the world to choose courage over comfort,” said Danielle Thomas Kimmel ’04, president of the Alumnae Council. “During her sixty-fifth reunion in 2022, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize Sherley for her global service and leadership.”

Congratulations Sherley! Brooks attended Emory University and earned a B.A. in international and global studies following her graduation from Chatham Hall, and is currently enrolled in American University’s College of Law. While a student at Chatham Hall she founded a Girl Up club and spoke about the experience as a member of the keynote panel of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) 2020 conference Stand Up, Speak Up: Girls Using Their Voices to Engage, Empower, and Enact. In 2021 she served as the keynote speaker of Chatham Hall’s GIRLS’ Day, where she discussed her involvement with Girl Up and the stepping stones of her life.

During her first semester at American University Washington College of Law, Brooks was awarded the J. Franklyn Bourne Annual Scholarship from The J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Inc. and she is a “My Life as a Lawyer” scholarship winner of the Corporate Counsel Women of Color. Brooks also has served as a judicial extern at U.S. District Court Maryland, Southern Division and a legal intern with The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

“Imani is the definition of a leader on the rise,” said Kimmel. “In a short amount of time, she has accomplished so much and we are looking forward to watching her ignite the light for others. We know she has a bright future ahead!”

Congratulations Imani!

ALUMNAE REUNION RETURNS TO CAMPUS

From April 29 - May 1, more than 100 alumnae from the Classes of 1957-2017 returned to Chatham Hall for Reunion 2022. “We were thrilled to be able to be back on campus this year after two years of virtual Reunions,” said Director of Alumnae and Parent Relations Carmen Garcia. “Our program offered events in all locations and even a little rain couldn’t wash away the fun.” This year’s Alumnae Award winners included Sherley Young ‘57 receiving the Distinguished Alumnae Award and Imani Brooks ‘16 receiving the inaugural Leader on the Rise Award. Other award winners included Muffin Grant ‘66 receiving The Nancy Gwathmey Award as an alumna who demonstrates superior skills in fundraising, Mary Kay Karzas ‘71 receiving The Ellie MacVeagh Award as an alumna who best represents the School’s goals for fellow constituents, and Annette Kirby ‘80 receiving The Mildred Harrison Dent Award as an alumna who demonstrates an enthusiastic long-term commitment and devotion to the ideals of Chatham Hall.

This year, a number of events were included in the schedule to celebrate beloved teacher, coach, advisor, mentor, colleague, and friend Cathy “La” LaDuke. Her posthumous VIAAA coaching honor was officially presented to Dean Griswold, while a Celebration of Life took place in St. Mary’s Chapel. A Lantern Ceremony conducted by the Class of 2022 was also held in honor of La. Turn to page 40 for photos.

ALUMNAE REUNION RETURNS TO CAMPUS

Alumnae Speaker Series

On March 23, the Living Well Alumnae Speaker Series officially debuted with a talk about women’s health from Taylor Nyberg Taliaferro ’06, M.D. Dr. Taliaferro currently serves as an OB/GYN resident physician at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health.

“At Chatham Hall we know that Living Well encompasses all nine dimensions of wellness and balance, and this speaker series will highlight each of them with a different alumna speaker,” noted Director of Alumnae and Parent Relations Carmen Garcia. “We kicked off with physical health and plan to have upcoming sessions on emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, occupational, environmental, financial, and inclusive wellness so we encourage alumnae to keep an eye on their email accounts and our social media for more information!”

Living Well at Chatham Hall is an underlying philosophy that aligns the School’s belief and commitment that health, wellness, and balance should be at the center of everything. This mindset allows the School to infuse nine dimensions of wellness into campus life to develop exciting opportunities in curricula and academic programs, initiatives for afternoon activities, priority points for Advisory chats, and themes for grade-level programs.

“On campus, Living Well grows alongside us as we learn more about ourselves, our communities, and ultimately our world,” said Garcia. “With the Alumnae Speaker Series we hope to bring these same benefits to the lives of our former students wherever they may be.”

For more information on Living Well at Chatham Hall, visit www.chathamhall.org/livingwell. For more information on the Living Well Alumnae Speaker Series, contact Carmen Garcia at cgarcia@chathamhall.org. Taylor Nyberg Taliaferro ’06

wellness.

Living Well inspires our community members to reflect on the multidimensional nature of their lives and the holistic nature of overall health.

partnership.

From longtime donors to dedicated volunteers, members of the Esto Perpetua Society are confident in the mission of Chatham Hall and are committed to igniting the light for future generations.

empowerment.

At Chatham Hall, it is our mission to equip curious thinkers to lead lives of impact every day.

connection.

During the 2020-2021 school year, we brought our global community together for several meaningful conversations.

inspiration.

Dedicated faculty and staff share their passions every day, illuminating new possibilities for intellectual growth and curiosity. The generosity of Esto Perpetua Society members elevates our campus and community by ensuring the longevity of the Chatham Hall experience. Wellness, partnership, empowerment, connection, and inspiration are just some of the pillars of impact made possible by a planned gift.

Learn more about leaving a legacy at Chatham Hall and connect with a gift planning officer today.

www.chathamhall.org/plannedgiving