Empowering Voices: Chatham Hall to Champion Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse

At Chatham Hall, we believe it is never too early to help our community discover and embrace their unique powers. We are committed to respecting each individual for who they are and empowering a diverse, 21st-century student body.

Chatham Hall continues to support meaningful civic engagement and build a culture that upholds the tenets of respectful and thoughtful dialogue through civil discourse. As Chatham Hall continues to follow these guidelines across classes, practices, and daily interactions, we’re excited to add a partner to support this journey: the Close Up Foundation.

Chatham Hall and Close Up will collaborate throughout the year, helping to deepen our commitment to meaningful, inclusive discourse on campus. 

Founded in 1971, the Close Up Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic education organization committed to empowering active, informed citizenship. Close Up believes that a thriving democracy depends on the active participation of all its citizens, and it is dedicated to making civic education accessible to young people from every background—regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, or academic standing.

Over the past 50 years, Close Up has partnered with schools nationwide to engage over a million students and educators in experiential programs that bring history, government, and civic responsibility to life. Through immersive experiences in Washington, D.C., local community programs, virtual opportunities, professional development workshops, and curriculum design, Close Up Washington DC inspires young people to find their voices. It equips them with the critical thinking and discussion skills necessary for navigating the issues and opportunities of the 21st century.

Since the summer, faculty and staff have engaged in more dynamic conversations about what it means to encourage civil discourse and instill the skills necessary to do so courageously. Our students have also worked in this process and will continue learning ways to be a part of something bigger than themselves while voicing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions respectfully.

May the conversation continue. 

Click below for a recent message from Rector Sara Stephenson. 

What to hear more?
The International Coalition of Girls' Schools has just released a new episode of On Educating Girls: Creating a World of Possibilities - Shorts. This 16-minute podcast offers research, data, and the benefits of investing in supporting a woman's voice. Listen along with us!