The spotlight shined bright on three female faith leaders at this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.
Hosted by the new Upper School Women's Affinity Group sophomore student heads Scarlett Koenig, Libi Horn and Harper Horn, in conjunction with French teacher and longtime curator of Parker’s IWD events Lorin Pritikin, Parker’s 9th annual IWD event honored women faith leaders who have navigated the uncharted waters of the pandemic, requiring them to pivot to new models of support and face a broad range of new challenges.
Guests heard Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago’s Pastor, Reverend Shannon Johnson Kershner; Northwestern University Associate Chaplain and Director of Interfaith Engagement Tahera Ahmad; and Rush University Medical Center’s Chaplain, Rabbi Marcey Rosenbaum, share personal stories about new and innovative ways they have been helping their communities.
Pritikin shared, “Of all the IWD events at Parker, this one was perhaps the most profound. The remarks of each of these extraordinary women were very moving, as they recounted that they had had feelings of a personal calling, of sorts, to do the work they do. They spoke of how they helped bring their communities through the devastating effects of COVID. Their selfless lives of service represent the best of humanity at times of great need, and we all left feeling uplifted by being in their presence. It was very powerful.”
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.