Women’s History Month

MADELINE DONOVAN ‘23

Kicking off Women’s History Month, The Ursuline School community welcomed positive psychology coach Caroline Adams Miller to speak with students and faculty on many topics pertaining to females specifically. In addition to being one of the first thirty-three people to earn The University of Pennsylvania’s Masters Degree in Positive Psychology, the best-selling author has written eight criticallyacclaimed books, including My Name Is Caroline, Getting Grit, and Creating Your Best Life.

Ms. Miller’s presentation covered a myriad of points of interest, from taking note of women’s treatment of one another and women’s mental health to her personal journey to bulimia recovery. She explained to students how women are biologically programmed to “tend and befriend,” which causes our oxytocin levels to rise; hence, why it is informally referred to as the “love drug.” However, on the contrary, she discussed how women are often in constant competition with one another, whether that be socially, academically, or economically. Ms. Miller provided the example of Madeleine Albright, former United States Secretary of State, whose twins were in school with Ms. Miller as a child. Ms. Albright was criticized by the other mothers for having a demanding position while also having children and trying to balance both. She explained how as “mean girls,” we seldom celebrate one another’s successes and are more likely to be silent or critical at the mention of another woman’s accomplishments. Her proposed solution was a term she coined herself: “ampliship.” By amplifying and highlighting the achievements of our female peers, we have the potential to boost the mental health of other women and can help put an end to the constant comparison.

Along with six other Ursuline students, as editors of Unison, Anna Gayer and I were given the wonderful opportunity to speak and enjoy lunch with Ms. Miller. There, one student asked Ms. Miller for her advice on remaining focused on one’s aspirations, to which she gave a few suggestions. First, she said that referring to them as “dreams” rather than “goals” makes them more likely to be accomplished. She also suggested that we “change our passwords to our dreams” or that we write them on business cards and carry them with us whenever we go, both of which put these ideas at the forefront of our minds every day.

Another student asked Ms. Miller how she believes we should relax and de-stress, to which she replied that meditation is the best way to go. It has been proven that “even seven minutes of mindfulness can make a difference,” she said.

Ms. Miller was additionally asked about her suggestions for positivity, especially in a world where many of the published and broadcasted news stories are negative and lack hope. She suggested Humans of New York and the Good News Network, both of which include uplifting and inspiring stories, which can offer a breath of fresh air in a society where many disappointing events seem to shape our views.

With degrees and education from Harvard University and The University of Pennsylvania, coupled with her scientific and social research, speaking travels, and even her experiences as a woman, Ms. Miller is an incredibly accomplished woman, and has definitely more than established her ethos and inspired us to be role models in “ampliship.”