For the past three years, members of the IHA Social Studies Department have traveled to the New York Historical Society (NYHS) Museum in New York City for Professional Development. During these days of exciting, new, and innovative learning, the IHA faculty members visited a variety of museum exhibits including Black Citizenship in the Era of Jim Crow and Hot Bed – Political and Artistic Contributions in 1920s Greenwich Village. In addition, the faculty engaged in hands-on training in specific NYHS curriculum relating to various historical events such as The Chinese Exclusion Act, Women of the Revolution, and Women in World War I and the Progressive Era.

The NYHS is in the process of creating an expansive curriculum that focuses on the role of women in history. With IHA’s unique mission to educate and empower young women, it was a natural fit for Immaculate Heart to partner with the NYHS as a Beta Test Site for the WAMS Curriculum Program. Beginning in September of 2019, the Social Studies Department incorporated two of the ten WAMS modules—Early Encounters (1492-1734) and Modernizing America (1889-1920)—into the World History and the United States History I courses. As more modules are added by NYHS, IHA will update the Social Studies curriculum to include United States History II. Our young women have a tremendous opportunity to expand their understanding of history while honoring the many women who actually made history.

Photo at right: Members of the IHA Social Studies Department include, back row, left to right, Ms. Julia Clinton’11, Ms. Lia Kunnapas’09, Ms. Rachel Healy, Ms. Diama Fischer, and Mr. Matthew Sartori. Front row, left to right, are Ms. Lynn Maltz; Ms. Patricia Carleton; Ms. Linda Chelotti’76, department chair; and Dr. Sue Kenney.