The Agnes Irwin School formally introduced its Center for the Advancement of Girls (CAG) to the public on Friday, October 14 with a celebration at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and a keynote address by trailblazing journalist and magazine editor Tina Brown.
Nearly 500 parents, alumnae and guests gathered for the celebration, which marks another milestone in the school's history as a champion for girls' education. The Center will advance research and best practices in creating educational environments in which all girls thrive.
Setting the tone for the launch of the Center for the Advancement of Girls was Agnes Irwin student, Peyton Weber '19, reading her poem “Leader of the Pack.” The theme of the poem is one of the Center’s four pillars (Leadership, Global Citizenship, Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century, and Wellness), which were developed in the early planning stages of the Center, according to Mariandl Hufford, M.S.Ed., Ed.M., its director and founder.
“Our thinking (including input from a dozen other Agnes Irwin faculty and staff members, and the Center’s Advisory Board members) fell along four different tracks that we identified as critical to authentic success and maximum impact in today's world, ” said Hufford.
The Center, an extension of the School’s mission to promote the education of girls in an innovative and stimulating academic environment, was conceived in the fall of 2010. “Being a girl and also a leader can take many forms. The initiative of this Center is to learn the various ways girls thrive and equip them with leadership skills, an awareness of the global community, an intellect fit for 21st century learning and a conscious concern for her well-being…all necessary tools in advancing and leading.”
Noting these traits as key qualities she looks for when hiring new talent, keynote speaker Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of Newsweek and The Daily Beast, predicted she would be working one day with Agnes Irwin alumnae. “I see the Center for the Advancement of Girls as a glorious and innovative venture, poising girls to one day speak at the Women in the Word Summit.” (The annual Women in the World Summit brings together women leaders from around the world to discuss pressing issues related to girls and women. Previous gatherings have included Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Liberian powerhouse Leymah Gbowee.)
Tina Brown’s advice to future female leaders: Don’t whine! And don’t be afraid to fail. “To be a successful leader, you can’t be afraid to fail because creativity takes risks.”