Page 6 - Distinguished Daughters Special Edition
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How Our Court of Honor of Distinguished Daughters
(and Some Other Awards) Came to Be
By Dorothy G. Kapenstein
The Philadelphia High School for Girls Over the years, countless alumnae
first put down its roots as a normal suggested that the school and the
school designed to prepare young Alumnae Association should consider
women who wished to be school establishing a Hall of Fame, following the
teachers, but before very long, this focus lead of various colleges and high schools.
changed. The school blossomed and
grew into a center of learning that Many of our alumnae had distinguished
prepared gifted young women from many themselves in high positions of
different backgrounds, ethnicities, and leadership and had contributed a legacy
religions. The school's mission since that of scholarly attainment and a highly
time has been to equip students with the developed sense of commitment to
academic, social, emotional, and cultural uphold our school and its traditions.
foundations for success in our ever- They were alumnae whose great
changing society. At least 96% of the achievements would show what women
students attend institutions of higher could do with the gift of an outstanding
learning. education. These women would also be
excellent role models to inspire the
Early in the history of the school and the students.
Alumnae Association, some of our
graduates, their families, and private In 1998, as the sesquicentennial
individuals sent funds to create celebration of our school's founding drew
scholarships, grants, and awards to help near, many commemorative programs
finance higher education for graduating were created for the celebration. It was
students. These gifts were most often decided that creating our own Hall of
presented to honor family members, Fame would be one of them. A
classmates, or beloved faculty members committee was formed to explore
and were named for them. Many of establishing an alumnae Hall of Fame.
these scholarships were given to the The Court of Honor of Distinguished
Alumnae Association for administration. Daughters of the Philadelphia High
In addition, the Alumnae Association also School for Girls is the work of committee
established a number of awards. members Lela Ricks Bethel (June
1944), Sunny (Sondra) Brown
In 1962, the Alumnae Association Bruskin (June 1946), Ann Doring (June
decided to honor faculty members for 1962), Dorothy G. Kapenstein
outstanding service to the school and the (January 1946), and Marguerite Hess
students, and the Award of Merit was Wells (January 1944).
established. In 1963, the Alumnae
Association established the Award of The concept and name were based on
Service to honor its own members for the "Distinguished Daughters of
outstanding service. Pennsylvania,” a program established by
The Award of Honor, first given in 1973, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in
is presented to an alumna who has 1949. This program bestows high honors
distinguished herself in her career or on a group of the state's most
profession. These awards are given every outstanding women achievers. The
year at our Annual Meeting/Luncheon Alumnae Association wanted to use the
when many of us are together. title "Distinguished Daughters" but
decided to add a small touch to the
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