The
Loretto Community recently presented its annual Mary Rhodes Award
to elementary school teacher Clarice Hall, United Methodist Bishop
Minerva G. Carcano, Muslim feminist and author Asra Q. Nomani, and
St. Louis Rabbi Susan Talve. The four women were honored for their
work to promote the rights of women and children.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>They were honored during the Loretto “Working with a Jubilee Heart” Conference, a three-day event that took place in Webster Groves on the campus of the Loretto Center and at Nerinx Hall, a Loretto-sponsored, private, all-girl, college-preparatory high school.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The Mary Rhodes Award was established in 1981 by the Loretto Women’s Committee, now known as the Loretto Women’s Network, to recognize women outside the Loretto order who promote human rights, particularly the rights of women and children.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>It is named after Loretto Sister Mary Rhodes, the women who cofounded the first American women religious congregation 199 years ago.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Receiving the award was both an honor and an early birthday gift for 75-year-old Clarice Hall. Hall taught in the St. Louis Public Schools District for 51 years and educated thousands of students, mainly first-graders. She is dedicated to her job and to her students; in all her years of teaching, she has only missed school for jury duty.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Hall began her teaching career in 1957 at Waring Elementary. She then taught at Banneker Elementary (now Doctor Shepherd School), where she taught three generations of students, serving from 1960 to 2003. In 2008, she retired at Dunbar elementary after a full career.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Hall knew the students well because of the prominent role she played in the school. In the mornings, she greeted the children as they exited the bus and supervised their cafeteria breakfast. Hall also supervised two lunch periods before returning to her classroom in the evening. Then, at the end of the day, she would monitor the students and help them get on the right bus.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Hall was well respected for her willingness to help anyone in need, be it a bus driver, teacher or student. If one of the bus drivers was having trouble with the students, she rode the bus to help keep peace. She also found clothes and food for needy children. Some of her children lived in shelters and faced many problems, but she was willing to help them. Though she mainly taught first grade, Hall knew the status of every child in the schools she served.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Because of her service to children, Hall has received proclamations from both President Bill Clinton and St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. She was also given the Salute to Excellence in Education Award from the St. Louis American Foundation in 2006 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Harris-Stowe State College (now University) in 1997.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The Loretto Community includes Sisters of Loretto who make public profession of vows as a religious congregation and co-members, who affiliate themselves with the spirit and mission of Loretto. “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”>
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>‘Servants in Red’ “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The New Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church will host its “Servants in Red” service Sunday, July 10, at 3 p.m. at 1444 N. Union Blvd. in St. Louis. The Rev. Marcus Divine is pastor, and Min. Theophilus Murphy is associate minister. The theme of the service is “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). For more information, call 314-361-3390. “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Vacation “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Bible School “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Leonard “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Missionary Baptist Church “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>will kick off its
“font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Laura “font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> Mae Davis Vacation Bible School “font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;”> 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 9 at the church, 1100 North Compton Ave., with a fun day of horseback riding, food, clowns, games, face painting and snow cones. Classes are 6-8:30 p.m. nightly July 11-15 . Call 314-534-1967. “mso-special-character: line-break;” />
