Lise's Lens: March 28, 2024
My entire post this week was inspired by Women’s History Month, and the various things that came to mind for me as I was reading Kristin Hannah’s The Women. I am interested in the ways women are ignored and heard, and understanding what past experiences were for so many women in both their personal and professional lives as we celebrate where we are today. There is still a journey ahead, but it’s built on some pretty awesome women’s shoulders.
WHAT I’M READING
- Do you have a pile of books on your bedside table that you are waiting for the right occasion to read? Well, contrary to some folks, I usually look forward to long plane rides so I can immerse myself in one of those books. For my 13-hour return plane ride from Japan I picked The Women by Kristin Hannah. I had never read anything by her, but it’s a book that I’ve been meaning to read for two reasons. The first reason is in honor of a person very dear to me who was posted in Malaysia during the Vietnam war, who was a great storyteller. She used to share how she and her husband helped to create a place of respite for American troops. The second reason I wanted to read this book was in honor of women’s history month! I found it to be an incredible deep dive into what it meant to be an army nurse at that time. I mean, M.A.S.H. did try to bring that to life for us but what it didn’t do is go deep into the psyche of the women who served both during their time of service, and when they returned to the USA.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- While reading The Women by Kristin Hannah, two things kept churning in my mind.The novel follows the young Frances “Frankie” McGrath, who comes of age as a combat nurse in Vietnam. When she returns to Coronado, CA, they do not consider her a veteran, and she is unable to find any VET services available to her. Frankie isn’t heard or supported by the public services she needs. It reminded me of how sometimes, women can feel so isolated in spaces that, though meant to serve, remain clueless to the female experience. This ranges from medical services, to the design of public bathrooms, to the C Suite.The second thing I kept thinking about is the Vietnam War Memorial. The novel ends around the early 80s and moves for a short period to Washington, DC. In 1982, I was headed to Georgetown University, and that was the exact year of the inauguration of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Speak of controversies! That beautiful memorial that is so beloved today was designed by a woman (already one strike against it) and someone of Asian descent, Maya Lin and after fighting the Vietcong, this was the last thing many vets wanted. I could go on and on about that.
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
- I am planning to watch the 1995 documentary, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994). Written and directed by Freida Lee Mock, the film won the Oscar for best documentary. I haven’t watched the whole thing yet, but I really enjoyed this powerful three-minute clip. Even at such a young age, she was so wise!
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
I can’t get over this picture of Mount Fuji that I took on the flight to Japan during Mod Break for our Kakehashi Exchange.
Campus News
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Photography Teacher Anne Rearick Releases New Book
Photography Teacher Anne Rearick has release a new book of photograpy, Gure Bazterrrak (Our Land). Published by the Deadbeat Club Press, the book will begin shipping this winter and will be available during Paris Photo at Polycopies, Porte de Solférino.Read More -
Anny '28 Wins International Film Awards
Read MoreThis past summer, Anny ’28, worked as executive director and cinematographer for two documentary films titled Shaolin Youth and Confined, earning multiple international awards for her efforts.Anny, a boarding student from China, spent her summer filming Shaolin Youth in the Shaolin Temple, a thousand-year-old temple, where she focused on different groups of Chinese teenagers, showcasing China's special martial arts program and the impact it can have on the growth of teenagers from low-income families. The film focuses on the stories of underserved families and troubled teenagers in rural China who are hoping to change their fate by learning martial arts, showing the dedication and love these teenagers have toward martial arts, and the influence martial arts can have on a person's growth. -
CSW Welcomes Students from Panama
Read MoreLast week CSW welcomed 12 students from C.A.D.I. Bilingual Academy in Panama, where our students spent some time during the mod abroad trip to Panama in mod 5 last school year! They were joined by C.A.D.I.'s Director and administrators. During their visit from October 17-21, 2024, they stayed with CSW host families and attended classes with student ambassadors. -
Mod Break Wilderness Trips are Back!
Read MoreMod break Wilderness Trips are back in action with the first one taking students to the White Mountains! During the 3-day trip, students were split up into two groups based on student preference. The introductory group made its foray into the Kinsman Mountains with History and English teacher/Wilderness Trip Guide Aidan Wang, while the advanced group tackled Mt. Garfield with Science teacher and longtime Wilderness Trip Guide Kevin Smith.
Meet CSW Students
CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.