About
Her Purpose
50 YEARS OF SPS WOMEN IN THE WORLD
A Powerful Legacy
In the 50 years since St. Paul’s School began enrolling girls, more than 3,000 have graduated and gone on to leave their mark on the world — in ways both large and small. In recognition of this milestone, we honor the SPS girls and women of today, sharing the stories of how they contribute to a greater good and uplift their families and communities through their personal and professional leadership and commitment.
Stories with Purpose
List of 4 news stories.
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The Artist’s Way
Rosy Keyser’s bold work offers a new perspective on painting — and maybe the world around us.Read More -
Past Connections
For Bronwen Callahan ’08, a childhood spent on the SPS grounds became the springboard for a life in education.Read More -
Creativity as a Calling
With a focus on the arts, May 11 event wraps up alumnae panel series celebrating 50 years of coeducation at SPS.Read More -
A Call to Climate Action
Read MoreApril 19 event celebrating 50 years of coeducation inspires and informs on the subject of environmental stewardship.
Voices
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Julia Alexander ’72
“It is heartening to note the common theme of resilience and boldness among SPS alumnae across the decades. And, our ongoing inspired engagement to bring about positive change in our social, economic, academic, political, ecological and spiritual worlds. Affirmation that the School’s foundational and increasingly inclusive values and practices can help each of us, female and male, claim our voice; embrace our passions; practice compassion; serve our communities; adapt to change; stay open to possibilities; and show up as our best selves.”
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Hilda Cupeles-Nieves ’75
“No sooner did I get to Concord than I wanted to leave... one of the things that helped me get through three years was the thought of telling my parents — you just don’t take a gift like that so lightly. The other thing that helped me stay at St. Paul’s was the friends I made there — especially the women of Simpson.”
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Alma Howard Graham ’74
“Who helped me navigate my way at St. Paul’s? It was a group of students from all walks and cultures of life — African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Japanese, Chinese. It was also a very powerful time in the 70s. That was when James Brown put out “Say It Loud — I’m Black And I’m Proud,” and it’s the first time I felt pride in wearing my Afro. And so we were led by some awesome seniors who had the vision of, ‘hey, we really need to band together here and support one another.’”
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Pamela Callahan ’77
“When I came to St. Paul’s, the opportunity for girls to get an outstanding boarding school coeducation was just beginning to present itself. Coming from an academically strong all-girls school, I had to think long and hard about what it would mean to leave New York, because there just weren’t as many academic options that I felt rivaled where I already was. One of the experiences that most sold me on St. Paul’s was doing my tour with Liz Munson ’74 — all these years later, I still remember that vividly. She was so impressive and accomplished, and I thought, “Well, if this is an example of the type of girl that attends St. Paul’s ... This is the kind of person I want to be around.”
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Elizabeth Munson ’74
“It was a special experience to be the first, to forge the way. We were definitely in a fishbowl, but to come through it and succeed was the foundation for everything that followed. It instilled a confidence in me that has served me well. It was the best and most formative educational and social experience I can imagine.”
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Sally Carroll Keating ’72
“I have been involved in the promotion of adolescent and women’s health rights throughout my adult life and feel that my firsthand experience setting down a path for coeducation at SPS has informed my advocacy along the way.”
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Lisa Hughes ’78, P’17,’19
“Being at St. Paul’s was a formative experience. There is this whole family of alumnae to tap into, and that’s something profound because we shared something profound.”
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Spotlight
Purpose is an expression of experience, pursuit, and passion.
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Digital Decision-maker
As director of news practices and the Decision Desk at ABC, Nicole Gallagher ’82 helps ensure the integrity of the news. -
Irene Kim '03
When I was younger, I used to think purpose was primarily just an intellectual pursuit. Reflecting on my journey thus far, I’ve come to see my purpose is forging connections that empower others to not only discover more about themselves but help leave a positive impact on the communities and world we live in in each of our own unique ways.” -
Kathy Giles
[I]t is critically important to strengthen the beliefs, habits, experiences, and values — the tools — that direct and guide us when we realize that our plan usually does not turn out to be the plan, and that there are many roads to lives of purpose, value, and impact.” -
Maria Agui Carter '81
As a Latina in the film industry, I am aware that we are less than one percent of media makers, so I do feel responsibility to tell our stories to the world. I write what I know, so the stories I tell naturally represent a more diverse America.” -
Feyi Olopade '01
I wanted to empower healthcare providers with the technology and decision support to help their patients.” -
Hillary Goodridge '74
I was raised to fight injustice when I saw it and felt it, and to speak up.” -
Kate Daniels
If we all were kind to one another and took time to listen and support one another when we were having difficult times – it sounds cliché, but it does seem to me that our journey in life would be a lot easier. I think that's one of my purposes, to demonstrate kindness. Hopefully that will catch on.”
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Share Her Story
Help us share the impact and inspiration of SPS women and girls. Nominate yourself or someone in our community for us to consider featuring as we honor 50 years of “Her Purpose.”
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Submit a Nomination
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