Celebrating Women's History Month
Celebrating Women’s History Month! This March, we’re honoring remarkable women in history, chosen by our faculty and staff. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for weekly highlights, and check our website for more inspiring stories all month long!
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Honoree: Dr. Velma Scantlebury
Selected by: Mr. Chris Schimpf, Science Teacher
Dr. Velma Scantlebury is a trailblazer in transplant medicine, making history as the first Black female transplant surgeon in the United States. After immigrating to the U.S. as a child, she earned her MD from Columbia University and went on to perform over 2,000 transplants while helping to build the kidney transplant program at Christiana Hospital here in Delaware. Now a Professor of Surgery, Dr. Scantlebury continues to advance the field through education, research, and advocacy.
Her groundbreaking work has saved countless lives and continues to inspire the next generation of medical pioneers.
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Honoree: Patsy Mink (1927–2002)
Selected by: Barbara Markham, Social Studies Teacher
Patsy Mink broke barriers as the first woman of color elected to Congress and a fierce advocate for gender equality in education. She championed Title IX, the groundbreaking law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded programs, ensuring women have equal opportunities in athletics, STEM, and beyond.
Thanks to her efforts, generations of women—including Padua athletes—have access to scholarships and opportunities once reserved for men. When Congress passed Title IX, Mink underscored its impact:
“It is… important that we have laws that guarantee equal opportunity for women, because in the past, so many doors were closed to us.”
Reflecting on this progress, Ms. Markham shared her personal connection:
"When I was swimming before 1972, athletic scholarships for women were unheard of. I wasn’t good enough to get one—but many of my teammates were. Thanks to leaders like Patsy Mink, today’s female athletes have the opportunities we never did."
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A trailblazer in STEM, Cohen’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of engineers, problem-solvers, and innovators.
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Pat Summitt was a game-changer in women’s basketball, becoming the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. Her leadership, determination, and passion for the game not only shaped the sport but also inspired generations of athletes to push beyond limits.
Off the court, Summitt was a fierce advocate for women in athletics, mentoring young women and paving the way for future female athletes and coaches. Her legacy is one of strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering others.
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Audre Lorde was a writer, professor, philosopher, poet, and activist whose powerful words confronted racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. She used poetry and prose to challenge societal norms and amplify the voices of the marginalized.
Favorite Quote:
"I write for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We've been taught that silence would save us, but it won't."
Her work reminds us that words have the power to inspire change, break barriers, and give a voice to the unheard.
Back
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Honoree: Dr. Velma Scantlebury
Selected by: Mr. Chris Schimpf, Science Teacher
Dr. Velma Scantlebury is a trailblazer in transplant medicine, making history as the first Black female transplant surgeon in the United States. After immigrating to the U.S. as a child, she earned her MD from Columbia University and went on to perform over 2,000 transplants while helping to build the kidney transplant program at Christiana Hospital here in Delaware. Now a Professor of Surgery, Dr. Scantlebury continues to advance the field through education, research, and advocacy.
Her groundbreaking work has saved countless lives and continues to inspire the next generation of medical pioneers.
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Honoree: Patsy Mink (1927–2002)
Selected by: Barbara Markham, Social Studies Teacher
Patsy Mink broke barriers as the first woman of color elected to Congress and a fierce advocate for gender equality in education. She championed Title IX, the groundbreaking law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded programs, ensuring women have equal opportunities in athletics, STEM, and beyond.
Thanks to her efforts, generations of women—including Padua athletes—have access to scholarships and opportunities once reserved for men. When Congress passed Title IX, Mink underscored its impact:
“It is… important that we have laws that guarantee equal opportunity for women, because in the past, so many doors were closed to us.”
Reflecting on this progress, Ms. Markham shared her personal connection:
"When I was swimming before 1972, athletic scholarships for women were unheard of. I wasn’t good enough to get one—but many of my teammates were. Thanks to leaders like Patsy Mink, today’s female athletes have the opportunities we never did."
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Honoree: Dr. Peggy Whitson
Selected by: Mrs. Christine Campbell, Science Department Chair
Selected by: Mrs. Christine Campbell, Science Department Chair
Dr. Peggy Whitson, a biochemist and record-breaking astronaut, has spent a total of 665 days in space—the most of any female astronaut! She completed two six-month missions and a year-long tour aboard the International Space Station, serving as station commander twice.
Her legacy is one of perseverance, leadership, and groundbreaking achievement in space exploration.
We were honored to welcome Dr. Whitson to Padua Academy in 2019, where she shared her incredible journey with our students and inspired the next generation of women in STEM!
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Honoree: Judith Love Cohen
Selected by: Mr. Asa Equels, World Language & Technology Teacher
Selected by: Mr. Asa Equels, World Language & Technology Teacher
Judith Love Cohen was a brilliant aerospace engineer who played a critical role in developing the Abort Guidance System that helped bring the Apollo 13 astronauts safely home after an oxygen tank explosion. Her dedication to science was so profound that she was reportedly troubleshooting schematics while in labor with her son—actor Jack Black!
A trailblazer in STEM, Cohen’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of engineers, problem-solvers, and innovators.
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Honoree: Pat Summitt
Selected by: Ms. Sam Bonvetti, Health & PE Teacher, Assistant Athletic Director
Selected by: Ms. Sam Bonvetti, Health & PE Teacher, Assistant Athletic Director
Pat Summitt was a game-changer in women’s basketball, becoming the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. Her leadership, determination, and passion for the game not only shaped the sport but also inspired generations of athletes to push beyond limits.
Off the court, Summitt was a fierce advocate for women in athletics, mentoring young women and paving the way for future female athletes and coaches. Her legacy is one of strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering others.
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Honoree: Audre Lorde
Selected by: Kathleen O’Connell, English Teacher
Selected by: Kathleen O’Connell, English Teacher
Audre Lorde was a writer, professor, philosopher, poet, and activist whose powerful words confronted racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. She used poetry and prose to challenge societal norms and amplify the voices of the marginalized.
Favorite Quote:
"I write for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We've been taught that silence would save us, but it won't."
Her work reminds us that words have the power to inspire change, break barriers, and give a voice to the unheard.
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