Bay View Academy’s Women’s Veterans Initiative

Thursday, November 11, 2010

GoLocalProv Features Team

What better mission for this well-known, all-girls school in East Providence?

Today, Bay View Academy kicks off a yearlong effort to identify, locate and contact female veterans of Southern New England, regardless of religious affiliation, in order to honor each of them at a celebration on November 10, 2011 at the Academy. Colonel Susan Luz, Bay View Class of 1968, will chair a committee including Sister Elizabeth McAuliffe, Bay View Academy President, Lia Del Sesto, Bay View Director of Alumnae Relations, Carol Costa, communications specialist, Jeremy Kapstein, Senior Advisor Baseball Projects Boston Red Sox, Sister Elizabeth Hathaway, Bay View Academy Director of Campus Ministries, Colleen Gribbin, Bay View Academy High School Principal, and Diane Morel, Bay View Academy History Department Chair.

Illustrious leadership

Colonel Luz, shown below, is a bestselling author and was the highest-ranking soldier in the 399th Combat Support Unit. She was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Iraq, and her book, Nightingale of Mosul, tells the story of a life dedicated to service, family, compassion, and country.

“I am very happy that my Alma Mater is taking on this most important effort to celebrate and honor women in the Military," said Luz. "Bay View remains a leader in women’s education and when combined with the Mercy mission this initiative promises to be very exciting, emotional and have a long-lasting impact on the veterans and the student body of Bay View.”

Service to those who've served

Principal Colleen Gribbin agreed. “This effort promises to bring the Mercy mission together with a year-long teachable moment for our girls. I am always buoyed by the enthusiasm of our faculty and our young women and their willingness to participate, engage, serve and learn.”

In addition to varied service projects on behalf of women veterans, Bay View also plans a yearlong education accompaniment. Diane Morel, History Department Chair, acknowledged the multi-faceted educational ventures that will be brought to life throughout the entire school. “We are uniquely positioned to make this effort one that can provide learning for ourgirls in language arts, history, art, music and technology," she said. "I am sure this outreach will energize our students and the entire Bay View Community.”

"Now that that my sisters are returning home I am thrilled to be part of my Alma Mater’s dedication to continuing this mission of Mercy,” said Luz.

Bay View seeks any woman who has served the United States of America in any branch of military service. If you are or know such a women, please contact Lia Del Sesto at 434-0113 ext 104 or via email at [email protected].