By now the bubbling froth of gushing and inspired Global Forum on Girls' Education attendees may well have reached your school. Given that 950 educators, researchers, advocates, and authors from around the world gathered in New York to focus specifically on how to teach girls and what girls need to grow into global game changers, certainly someone from your corner of the girls' school universe was in that happy, purposeful throng. If we were reminded of one thing from our time together, it is that the work we do is soul- satisfying. When done well together, it can transform the lives of girls. Indeed, it can transform our own lives.

 

Immediately following the Global Forum, the NCGS Board of Trustees debriefed with our strategic partners for the event. It was instantly clear that NCGS, in the role of convener, had tapped into a global need in the girls' education movement. It was striking how universal the themes were in this conversation occurring around the globe -- regardless of resources or demographics. Quite simply, all girls benefit when we share best practices, partner with educators who share our passion for this work, and link our schools into a 

connected, supportive network. The debrief gave the board much to think about as it considers lessons learned from the Global Forum 

and our partners. As one participant energetically queried, "How do we keep this impressive momentum going?" Be assured this is the strategic question that will consume our energy as a board for the next few months.

 

There were high-fives, gleeful fist pumps, smiles in abundance, and 

much, much good will as the board gathered for its February meeting. We were in that state of pleasant euphoria that comes from being a part of something substantial, something that was well planned and superbly executed. Yet, it is also true that as we collectively came to terms with what had transpired at the Global Forum, we felt the healthy weight that comes with the responsibility of leadership in the arena. This was big, heady stuff. Supported by 25 years of our successful history of educating girls, celebrating the vision of co-founders Whitty Ransome and Meg Moulton, standing on the shoulders of former trustees and girls' school visionaries, we had arrived at a compelling moment of organizational strength and conviction. With freshened language to articulate with precision our purpose, principles, and practice (see article below for more details), NCGS was especially well positioned for boldness both programmatically and fiscally.

 

Summing it up in one word: "gratitude." We were humbly and enormously grateful for our visionary leadership in Executive Director Megan Murphy and her professional, talented staff; thankful for our strategic partners and the resources and wisdom they brought to the party; appreciative of our NCGS member schools and their commitment to sharing excellence; and indebted to former trustees and NCGS foundational leadership for a timeless vision and the energy that brought us to this extraordinary moment. And with gratitude comes obligation of the best sort-an obligation to build on our impressive legacy of educating girls. Stay tuned. A gratitude this powerful is bound to produce magnificent echoes in our universe and for your school.