As we reach the anniversary of Salem’s evacuation and move to remote, I am so moved by each of you.
I remember a gathering—our last “public” one—which brought together campus leaders, parents, and more. I can see in my mind’s eye those moments, the peculiarity of hand sanitizer being passed along with a microphone, for example. I can see earlier meetings where we sought to sit far enough from one another to move to decisions. I have re-read emails about what classes might become and the logistics of getting possessions to one another including to those who had left without knowing how long—how very long—it would be before our campus welcomed us again as a full community.
I watched and learned from leaders—each of whom deserves to be called out for all they did those days, weeks, and months a year ago. We joked about words that kept repeating—unprecedented—and knew that this was not what any of us expected to encounter in the second decade of the 21st century.
I feel the echoes—in my heart, my mind, my body. I suspect you do too.
The echoes are not merely the echoes of a pandemic but reminders of the ongoing need to say the names of people like Breonna Taylor—who was killed on March 13 of that very same weekend that we evacuated—reminding us that these issues too require us to step forward. In this year of existential challenge, justice demands we act as well to change the systems within which we live.
Over the next few days, I ask that we each stop to express our gratitude to those who helped each of us get this far. I ask that we be fair to ourselves and others and recognize what and perhaps who we have lost and what we have required of one another to get here. I ask that we say to ourselves and to each other how very hard this has been and how amazed we are at how much time has passed. I ask that we remember to stop—to mourn as needed—and then to move forward with care and strength. We will never again live in a world without this year and who we have become.
Susan Henking
Interim President
In recognition of Women’s History Month, this column celebrates the history of innovation in education at Salem Academy and College. Our story has its beginnings in the Moravian dedication to education and the community’s belief that girls deserved an education as much as boys did. Salem has a long tradition of leadership in the education of girls and women. This legacy has been fostered by strong women from its first teacher, Elisabeth Oesterlein, to the women of today.
In the 18th century, Elisabeth Oesterlein joined a group of Moravian girls and young women who journeyed from Pennsylvania to Wachovia to serve a higher purpose according to their beliefs. At the age of 22, Oesterlein taught her first class in Salem’s Gemein Haus where Main Hall now stands. This school grew into the institution of Salem Academy and College today.
Over the centuries, Salem has led the way forward in girls’ and women’s education. In the 17th century, former students such as Martha Miksch returned as teachers. In the 1800s, the school formally trained young women to be teachers. Students such as Emma Lehman, who began teaching at Salem in 1864, became leaders in their fields. In the 1880s, Salem Female Academy, as it was known then, took the bold step of offering courses for women who would prefer to make their own living in the office rather than the schoolroom. Thus, Salem offered classes in bookkeeping, commercial law, telegraphy, and typing.
This tradition of strong female leadership continued in the 20th century, when Julianne Still Thrift became the first woman to serve as president. The tradition of innovation continued with the creation of an adult learning program that has become the Martha H. Fleer Center for Adult Education.
Now in the 21st century, as the College forges a new path in health leadership and as the Academy creates new opportunities for students, Salem Academy and College continues in the tradition of those first women and girls who charted their path from Pennsylvania to a new life in North Carolina.
Ashley Tomlin joined the Salem team in December 2020 as director of alumnae engagement for both Salem Academy and Salem College. For Ashley, as a graduate of Salem College, taking the job was an exciting chance to return to a place she loves.
“It feels as though I have come full circle,” Ashley said. “I was really involved when I was an undergrad at Salem College. I was an athlete, helped at orientation, and was involved with many other activities. I really loved my time at Salem College, and I am really passionate about women’s empowerment through education. I feel so lucky to have a job that combines these two passions. I am thrilled to work at a place I love so much and that means so much to me.”
Ashley majored in history at Salem and graduated in 2005. “I met the very best people at Salem, and they are still very much in my life today. There is something so special about Salem. One can get a world-class education and connect with faculty members who care deeply about your education, your goals and what you see for your future.”
She went on to get a master’s degree in higher education administration at Georgia Southern University. She worked for eight years as director of student activities and new student orientation at Wesleyan College. But when her partner got a chance to take a great job back in the Triad, Ashley returned to Salem.
In her current position, Ashley does a lot of different things including working with both the Academy and College Alumnae Boards, helping plan reunions, and assisting with the day-to-day operations for the Office of Alumnae Engagement.
While she is delighted to be working for Salem College, a place that changed her life for the better, she is equally happy to be working for Salem Academy. Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down and before she took her current position, Ashley was a contract employee for the Academy helping plan reunion weekend. “Although I only worked at the Academy for about a month and a half, I realized immediately what a special and unique place it is,” she said. “The academics as well as the focus on leadership and civic engagement are really incredible. I was so impressed with the students and faculty at the Academy, and I am so happy I get to work with this amazing place.”
Join us this fall as we recreate the historic journey undertaken by the Single Sisters from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to North Carolina. From September 28–October 26, 2021, the “Journey to Salem” will cover 500 miles over 29 days and will follow the historic route as outlined in the 1766 journal of Salome Meurer—along the colonial migration trail which passes through Maryland, continues east of the mountains in Virginia, and turns west in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Walkers will arrive in Bethabara, North Carolina, the Sisters’ original destination, on October 25. The final leg of the Journey will be 6.5 miles from Bethabara to a celebratory Homecoming on Salem Square on the afternoon of October 26, which will be open to all.
This is a unique chance to walk in the footsteps of the Single Sisters and feel the power and impact of their journey. Alumnae and friends are invited to participate in any part of the “Journey to Salem” in person or virtually. You can join us for as much of the walk as you like. We already know of at least one alumna who plans to walk the entire journey and we welcome more adventuresome walkers!
We also welcome those who wish to walk just two days, or one day, or part of one day. Any length is fine! Use the walk as a way to connect with some of your Salem friends and make a weekend of it. Make the Journey part of a once-in-a-lifetime trip, as we’ll be walking through the Amish country of Pennsylvania, the beautiful horse country of Virginia, and other interesting areas that feature historic sites, vineyards, and more.
Make plans—and make some history of your own! We think the walk will be a great way to generate publicity for Salem locally, along the route, and nationally. Watch your email for further information coming soon on the exact route and how to register!
Salem Voices: A Conversation with Salem Alumnae posts on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 12:30 p.m. The most recent episode was released on March 16 and featured Cynthia (Cindy) Lovin McArthur, C’75. Cindy’s wide-ranging conversation with Lucy Rose, C’76, Vice Chair of the Salem Academy and College Board of Trustees is available at Salem Voices.
Cindy is the Deputy Director of the External Relations Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Johnson Space Center has served as the hub of human spaceflight activity for more than half a century. It is home to the nation’s astronaut corps, the Mission Control Center, the International Space Station Program mission operations, the Orion Program, and a host of future space developments to enhance scientific and technological knowledge to benefit all of humankind.
As Deputy Director, Cindy shares the human spaceflight story by leading, integrating, and amplifying the work of a Johnson Space Center team of civil servants and contractors in the areas of employee communications, digital media, public affairs, public engagement, STEM engagement, legislative affairs, exhibits, and university collaboration.