"No work of charity can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women." - Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy

On Thursday, March 8th, Bay View students from sprouts to seniors stood united with thousands of women around the world to celebrate International Women's Day. The 5th grade Friends of Mercy began the day with the Mercy prayer "Valiant Women" by Cathy O'Keefe. Lower school students also celebrated the day by wearing their "Girl Power" sweatshirts and participating in read-alouds with their teachers of the following books that focus on intelligent, courageous, and insightful women: "She Persisted" by Chelsea Clinton, "Rosie Revere, Engineer" by Andrea Beatty, and "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beatty. Meanwhile, in the upper school, a PayDay candy bar was distributed to all students at lunchtime to serve as a reminder that even in the US, women are typically paid only 80 cents for every $1 paid to their male counterparts. This gap in earnings translates into $10,086 less per year in median earnings!

The day was not only an important celebration at Bay View, but for the global Mercy family as well. Together, we renewed our commitment to further empower women and advocate for the equal and just treatment of all women and men.