Women's History Month

To celebrate Women’s History month, the DEI office sat down with four women, all faculty and staff and all alumni of Jesuit High School, to gain perspective on their gender identity and the importance it holds for them. Thank you to Ms. Casey ‘97, Mrs. McQueen ‘05, Señora Schick ‘97, and Ms. Schick ‘01 for your insight, wisdom, and solidarity! 
Almost 30 years ago, Jesuit High School shifted from an all-male to a co-ed institution. Even as they were in the midst of a cultural shift, the four female faculty and staff recalled that gender awareness was not as prominent as it is today. Ms. Schick and Mrs. McQueen noted that understanding gender came during adulthood. For Ms. Schick, taking classes in college that focused on identity was pivotal for her growth, allowing her to question feminine norms and embrace her true self. 

For Ms. Casey, her sense of gender identity has “evolved over time, as I have lived in different cultures and communities, built more diverse friendships, and gotten better at knowing and loving myself. To me, being a woman means having a network of strong women by my side as friends, mentors, allies, sisters, supporters, role models, heroes, and advocates. For that, I am so grateful. Being a woman also means unlearning what society has taught me. The more I ‘unlearn’ about society’s expectations of women, the more I embrace discovering who I really am, who God made me to be.” 

Ms. Casey also talked about the importance of understanding that cultural shifts are never easy, quick, or widely accepted, including having women on campus. 

“My freshman year at Jesuit (1993) was the first year of co-education, meaning all of the women’s programs were brand new. Sports were very important to me as a kid – I participated in cross-country, basketball, and track in high school. Looking back, I see how important our full participation in those early days of building new programs was. It wasn’t always easy. Being one of a handful of girls among a sea of boys in the XC and track programs had its challenges; however, we also had the benefit of being brought into a well-established program with a strong sense of traditions and history.

Many called us ‘trailblazers’ and welcomed us, and some made it very clear they did not want Jesuit to be a co-ed school. Sometimes, I felt welcomed. Sometimes, I felt excluded or unwanted. It was an exciting time of new opportunities, but there was also tension. There were some growing pains for sure.”

As women continued to make space on campus during the ‘90s, Señora Schick noted that finding female allies was pivotal. She remarked on the gravity of having teachers like Ms. Milton on campus – someone who created a safe space – as well as mentors like Mrs. DeKlotz who, through work with the Setons, helped foster a deep sense of sisterhood and solidarity among female students. 

Women’s History Month began as a week-long national celebration in 1981 that later evolved into a month-long celebration. Mrs. McQueen ‘05 stressed the importance of acknowledging women’s accomplishments especially during this month. Ms. Casey ‘97 and Señora Schick’ 97 noted that the work of liberation and equality is never done and their desire to be strong, female role models for current students. Ms. Casey explained, “[I]t is important to pause and recognize women who have opened the door for others. I can play a role in breaking down barriers for younger generations of women. We also must acknowledge how women are still excluded, marginalized, and oppressed globally today. Recognizing Women’s History Month serves as a reminder that we must continue to engage in this work together.” 

May we all be encouraged to recognize the past to build a more inclusive future. Thank you to Ms. Casey, Mrs. McQueen, Ms. Schick, and Señora Schick who continue to build a loving and inclusive JHS community. Happy Women’s History Month!