Dear WAB families,
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In celebration of our 30th Anniversary, Parent Link is generously donating a new bronze statue to enhance the series on campus.
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In November, everyone in our community was invited to nominate candidates. Thank you to all who submitted nominations; we received 78 entries, featuring 53 individual nominees. Your contributions are invaluable in helping us recognize figures who inspire and reflect the diverse history of thought and innovation.
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A committee of parents, employees, students, and board members reviewed the nominations. The shortlisted candidates were selected with a focus on enhancing gender diversity, nationality, historical era, and range of expertise represented by the current statues on campus. We are pleased to announce the following shortlisted candidates:
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Marie Curie (1867-1934) A pioneering physicist and chemist, Curie made significant contributions to the study of radioactivity, becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry). Her work laid the foundation for advances in medical treatments, including cancer therapies.
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Jane Goodall (born 1934) A prominent primatologist and conservationist, Goodall's research on chimpanzees has transformed our understanding of these creatures. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, focusing on wildlife conservation and community-centered approaches to environmental stewardship. Jane has a special connection to WAB through one of our founding teachers, Mr. Greg McIsaac, who was a friend of hers and played a key role in bringing the Roots & Shoots program to China. WAB proudly hosted the first Roots & Shoots office in China, and Jane has visited our school several times over the years.
- Lin Huiyin (1904-1955) A prominent Chinese architect, poet, and writer, recognized as one of the first female architects in modern China. Lin blended traditional Chinese elements with modern design principles, significantly influencing early 20th-century architecture. She was also an accomplished poet and played a vital role in the cultural renaissance of her time.
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Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) A pioneering African American mathematician whose calculations were critical to NASA's early space missions, including John Glenn's orbital flight and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Johnson overcame racial and gender barriers in a segregated America, exemplifying excellence in mathematics and engineering.
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Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) A renowned Kenyan environmental activist, political leader, and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which focused on tree planting, environmental conservation, and women's empowerment. Her holistic approach to environmentalism demonstrated that ecological health is deeply intertwined with social equity.
Each of these candidates not only excelled in their respective fields but also serve as symbols of resilience, innovation, and social change. The addition of any of these women in the WAB statue collection would inspire our students and community.
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We encourage everyone to participate in this important decision by voting for the candidate they believe should be represented in the new statue. Voting will be open until January 15. Your voice matters in shaping our campus legacy and honoring a figure who inspires us all!
Cast your vote through the below link.
