I had hoped—indeed planned—that this Dean’s Note would be a celebration of the first woman president of the United States in our nation’s 240-year history. As a feminist philosopher, campaigner for the Equal Rights Amendment, Title IX advocate, and volunteer for a women’s shelter, I have spent my life working for the cause of gender equality. My disappointment that this momentous event has not come to pass could not be more profound. And yet with this note I want to urge us to embrace gratitude, hope, and commitment to create a better world.
Thanksgiving is a traditional time to take stock of what we have to be grateful for. Gratitude is an emotion that, when expressed, multiplies itself; the more we share, the more goodness we engender, which in turn gives us more reason to be grateful. I see this as I visit with our donors whose experiences as grateful scholarship recipients lead them to endow permanent gifts. Gratitude inspires those who do good to do more of it, and that amplification of goodwill nurtures hope. For when we meet others who want to do good and recognize it where it exists, we discover that we are surrounded by people with whom we can live in harmony and love. Hope and love in turn inspire commitment to serve so that more can share gratitude. So I am taking this opportunity to identify a few things that I am grateful for, hopeful for, and committed to in this season of disappointment.
I am grateful to be the dean of a talented and engaged faculty and student body, to be part of a university that has always served as a beacon for justice, led by a President who treasures and honors that legacy. I am grateful to live in Massachusetts, which has led the nation in the cause of freedom and justice through the trials of three centuries of oppression and inequality. I am grateful for the love of my family and friends.
I am hopeful about the future of the liberal arts and sciences, and our university’s future as a leading global research university. I am hopeful that our efforts to improve diversity and inclusion will make our community richer and more enlightened. I am hopeful that our great city and Commonwealth will continue to lead our nation to progressive solutions to the causes of poverty, discrimination, and despair.
I am committed to leading our College to create excellence through a diverse and inclusive intellectual community. I am committed to promoting our work and sharing it with an eager public through outreach and engagement with deep issues and timely concerns. I am committed to making a positive difference in the lives of the individuals I interact with in my daily life.
Next week we can again face the reality of our time. For now I urge you, as I plan to do, to get some rest from the stress of a difficult time and enjoy the rest of this special week with gratitude for family and friends and hope for a better future.