It is very odd, dear hearts, but as I finished writing this blog, I wanted a title that could somehow cleverly match to the topic at hand, and for some reason, Henry James arose in my mind. I will not summarize the novel, but I will begin with this question: when we think of the simple phrase, the portrait of a lady, what comes to mind?
AS I begin to wind down the school year with all of the dear Converse women who I lovingly have deemed my “dear hearts,” I would like to, for a moment, write about you. I’ve realized that in the midst of my blogs, I have failed to discuss the most important aspect of Converse-its women, all of whom seem to illustrate the very portraits of ladies!
(Forgive me male graduate students-I will someday write a blog about how I admire you, like the Spartan three hundred, standing up, the ten of you, against over 700 women-well done!)
As our beloved Founder Dexter Converse once said, “ the well-being of any country depends much upon the culture of her women.” Though we have all heard this quote over and over…and over again, there is something eloquent and significant ot be said for it. Yet, I would argue that it is particularly significant when it applies ot the young ladies here! Never have I met more caring, more beautiful, and ambitious young women than in this place. I have been blessed with fine roommates, tea companions, coffee connoisseurs, strong friends, adopted sisters, and, perhaps most importantly of all ,the faith that no matter where I go and no matter who I meet, I know that there are the sparks of vitality, ambition, devotion, kindness, and faith that keep our culture alive here. And, so without further words, I’d like ot dedicate this blog to the ifne young women on this campus. I am proud to work with you, to debate with you, to exchange a knid word with you, to study with you, and to call you my friends and family. I am humbled to know you all, and I hope that in the future, no matter where you are or who you meet, that you will always carry with you the “satisfaction that proceeds from a consciousness of duty, faithfully performed” to uphold the ideals both of our Founder and of the culture which he asked for women to uphold. Please continue to be humble, caring, merciful, and proud to be the fine women you are. Take satisfaction in your successes, gain wisdom from your failures, and remember that when you leave this campus, you not only represent the best of what the feminine graces have to offer, but that you will set the next example for future women on how to behave, how to achieve success, and how ot maintain humility and sense of purpose in all you do. Thank you for showing this to me, and God bless you all, from alumnae(my dear cousins included!), students, and prospective students!
With this, I leave with a few photographs of only a few of these young ladies, all of whom have strengthened my faith in our culture, a culture which is indeed upheld by the best of women!
Note: I urge you all to post your memories with one another! I didn’t have enough pictures of all of you, but I hold you all so dear!
