Equity & Justice
Living and learning in a global and inclusive community requires persistent and purposeful practice of the skills necessary to build and sustain equity and justice.
With the goal of creating an inclusive community, Emma Willard School teaches and models empathy, curiosity, and constructive dialogue. Curriculum is designed with the intention to develop learners capable of holding competing views in their minds while remaining engaged in challenging conversation. Through understanding and embracing difference, and through studying historical context, students gain a deeper appreciation for shared humanity and consider how they will use their strengths to be of service in the world. Students learn to practice critical thinking and self-reflection to identify and root out bias, to recognize the impact of power and privilege, and to pursue knowledge and truth. Within classrooms and across the school, students gain experience using their intellect and their voices to bridge the gap between understanding and action in the ongoing effort to make the world a more equitable place.
Community engagement projects create positive change in the world
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Emma is a time of reflection, growth, and community. It is a call to action and a time to recommit ourselves to creating the world in which we want to live. From a panel discussion with alums of color to equity workshops covering topics from codeswitching to LGBTQ+ issues to environmental impact on communities of color, the day was full of conversations about creating Dr. King’s vision of the “beloved community.”
“ Follow your dreams...and remember that without failure, there’s no growth.”