Be A Part of
the Solution
Centennial Play
Draws Crowd
by Jamie MulUs
On Wednesday, February 27,
Dr. Ruth Schmidt opened
Meredith's Centennial Cel^ration
with an inspiring Pounders' Day
address.
T. Robert MuUinax, executive
director of the Council on
Christian Higher Education,
delivered the invocation and Dr.
Jean Jackson, direaor of the
Meredith Centennial Commission,
welcomed the audience. She
noted the'North Carolina General
Assembly’s vote declaring
February 27 as Charter Day in
honor of Thomas Meredith and to
send greetings from Governor
James Martin.
The Meredith Chorale sang
the anthem “Alieluia" under the
direction of James Powers.
Meredith Presidentjohn E: Weems
introduced Dr. Schmidt.
Dr. Schmidt’s presentation,
"Women's Sphere in the 21st
Century,” discussed the
development of women’s roles
since the 19th century and what
their roles will be in the future.
She defined a woman’s sphere as
the private sphere of home and a
man’s as the public sphere.
In the 19th century, the idea
generated that women should
receive a higher education so
they they would become better
wives and mothers. Dr. Schmidt
pointed out that women were
only accepted into the public
sphere when it was benefidal for
society, such as during war time.
She brought attention to the fact
that fifty percent of women with
bachelor degrees and one-third
of those with doctorates still enter
the typically female roles of
educators and nurses.
While the earnings gender gap
is closing, Schmidt noted that
women still earn only 70% of a
man’s dollar.
Schmidt questioned whether
a woman's sphere can ever be a
totality. She advocated the
freedom to choose a path without
preconceived gender
expectations. The women’s
sphere in the 21st century is “the
globe itself." Schmidt said that
“repentance of a nation could
achieve wholeness.”
She concluded by challenging
women’s colleges to contribute
by taking seriously their history
as pioneers.
“We are being equipped to be
a part of the solution and should
celebrate our progress."
Let them eat cake!
by Karen Nipper
“Let them eat cake!” seemed
to be the rallying ay as the rotunda
filled with hungry students and
boisterous music thundered down
from the balconies of the third
floor of Johnson Hall on February
27. But then, free treats and
entertainment always attract large
crowds.
ARA Food Services provided
a long rectangular white sheet
cake inscribed with a pink
Centennial slogan, “Honoring Our
Heritage... Expanding Our
Vision."
A special touch was a small
round cake hovering above the
sheet cake on four columns,
displaying a scene of Johnson
HaU.
The Meredith Chorale and
M^edith Orchestra filled the
rotunda with song and music as
film footage of the college from
1937-1958 was sl^own on a large
m^itor. Photographic slides
traced college life from 1891 to
1970.
Rather than just a place to
pass through on the way to or
from class, this afternoon saw
Johnson HsUl’s rotunda a stage for
celebration and congregation.
by Nicole Rlvenbark
“The Parable of the Morning
Star," an original centennial play
written by Carolyn C. Robinson
explaining the beginnings of
Meredith College, was enjoyed
by a large group of students,
faculty and staff on Wednesday,
February 27 in Jones Auditorium.
The humorous skit about
Baptist Female University was
preceded by a presentation of
two new class dolls representing
1891 and the class of 1991.
Dr. Suzanne Britt narrated the
production as several staff
members and students portrayed
charaaers of the late 1800s.
Dr. Jean Jackson played Lily
B. Pearson as an especially
comical figure, rattling oCF many
well-known sayings.
The play reminded the
audience of Meredith’s lasting
heritage and revealed the vision
its founders saw of a top-rated
women’s college. That same
vision continues today to build
the College’s character and
reputable standing.
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
Baptist
Female
University
and
Meredith
College!
March 11,1991 Page 5