Alumna and local athlete highlight Women's History Month
A pair of accomplished local women addressed RE students on March 22 in honor of Women’s History Month: Annie Lord ’97, executive director of Miami Homes for All, encouraged upper school students to use their power to empower others in less fortunate circumstances, while Kerry Gruson – a differently abled athlete whose participation in many triathlons and other races has been chronicled by various news outlets – shared her story of resilience with middle school students.
The two women, who spoke during simultaneous and separate virtual assemblies, offered different messages with the same ultimate goal: to inspire students to positive action.
The two women, who spoke during simultaneous and separate virtual assemblies, offered different messages with the same ultimate goal: to inspire students to positive action.
Lord, who earned her bachelor's degree and Master in Public Policy at Harvard University and was profiled in Indulge magazine, works to end homelessness by engaging in research, building coalitions across communities, generating support at the grassroots level and, ultimately, working for policy change by advocating in the public sector. “We believe,” she said, “everyone deserves a place to call home.” She reminded RE students of their responsibility to cultivate their own power, and use it for the common good.
Gruson, who suffered paralysis during a brutal attack in her 20s, began completing marathons, triathlons and other races with the help of able-bodied athletes like Caryn Lubetsky, with whom she appeared on Good Morning America. Ransom Everglades students Kathryn Serra ’23 and Chuli Serra ’24 helped bring Gruson to the finish line of a local race through the non-profit ThumbsUp International, and Kathryn Serra told her peers in a video clip: “It was more rewarding than any race we have ever done.”
Said Gruson: “We all need help. We all do things better together.”
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.