CSW Marks the 50th Anniversary of Michael H. Feldman '67 Social Justice Day
CSW recognized the 50th Anniversary of Michael Feldman ’67 Social Justice Day on campus this week with a special assembly and programming dedicated to the student-selected topic: The School to Prison Pipeline. The day included a keynote address from Marvin Pierre, the founder of the nonprofit 8 Million Stories, and a series of workshops hosted by faculty, students, and experts in the fields of criminal justice, education, social services, community advocacy, and more.
Originally known as Law Day, Social justice Day was established in 1975 by Shirley and Roger Feldman in memory of their son, Michael H. Feldman ’67, who passed away tragically at the age of 25. Today, Michael H. Feldman ’67 Social Justice Day stands as a cornerstone of CSW’s commitment to equity, civic engagement, and global citizenship.
At the start of this year’s program, Nancy Taxin, Michael’s sister, presented a heartfelt tribute to her brother and all that he stood for, grounding the day in his legacy. Katherine Lau ’26 thenshared a brief history of the event, showcasing some of the past themes. To further honor Michael’s legacy and celebrate the rich history of Social Justice Day, Head of School Lise Charlier announced that the school would be partnering with the Feldman family and artist Joshua Winer (a cousin of the Feldmans) to conceptualize and install a custom mosaic mural on campus. Community members will be invited to contribute in the weeks to come.
In his address to the community, youth advocate Marvin Pierre shared his powerful journey from growing up in Jamaica, Queens, to landing on Wall Street—and ultimately walking away to support justice-involved youth. His speech explored the roots of the school-to-prison pipeline and offered practical, community-based alternatives to incarceration.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in over a dozen workshops led by experts, advocates, artists, and educators. Topics ranged from the language of incarceration and restorative justice in schools, to the architecture of prisons, and the power of books behind bars. Participants, asked difficult questions, shared stories, and brainstormed solutions for a more just and inclusive world. A comprehensive listing of speakers and workshops is available here.
Select photos by Avalon Jellinek '28
Select photos by Avalon Jellinek '28
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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.