On January 20, the community celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with workshops, service, and programming that reflected his vision of equality, peace, and justice. This year’s theme, “Women of the Movement,” was chosen to shine a light on the pivotal roles that women have played in Civil Rights and justice movements.
The day’s programming began with a keynote address by Anna Malaika Tubbs, author of the book The Three Mothers, which explores the lives of Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little—the mothers of James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X.
“Tubbs was chosen because her work aligns perfectly with this year’s theme. She offers a unique perspective on how these women shaped a nation. Her presence brings a gender-conscious approach to Civil Rights history, aligning with Hotchkiss’ reflections on 50 years of coeducation,” said Mr. Daymyen Layne, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. “Dr. King understood how to move people beyond themselves and toward one another, inspiring them to take collective action to create change, which is the very essence of community service,” said Mrs. Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77, director of community partnerships.
Workshops offered community members a variety of opportunities to engage in service, including cooking for local food pantries, writing letters to Ukrainian prisoners of war, and performing music at Noble Horizons.
Students also led athletic clinics for local children in basketball, soccer, and dance and an art workshop for third and fourth graders. “Action-oriented service projects translate learning into impact,” said Mr. Layne. “Whether by fighting the horrors of segregation or volunteering at a food pantry, each of us can contribute to a better community, society, and world.”
Other workshops offered students an opportunity to learn about important figures in social justice movements or women who have been written out of mainstream history.
Workshops included “Women of The Movement: Black Women and Classics,” led by Ms. Kelsie Fralick, instructor in Latin; “Black Liberation and Socialism: The Life of Lucy Parsons,” with Dr. Gerardo Molinari, instructor in Spanish; “Dance as Protest: Josephine Baker” by Mr. Ricardo Diaz, instructor in mathematics, and Kristian Maxwell- Wimberly ’25; and “HenriettaSwan Leavitt and the Scale of the Universe,” with Mr. Bill Fenton and Mr. Josh Schmidt, instructors in physics.
In the workshop “Do you Know Who Fannie Lou Hamer Is?” Amy Deme ’26 shared speeches by Fannie Lou Hamer, a feminist leader in the Civil Rights movement, and discussions about her life. Deme said, “This day is a day to give back. And I believe that our workshop works to give back in the form of knowledge.”
The day also included opportunities for students to view films, watch the inauguration, have lunch with their advisory group, and attend a closing reflection in the evening to share takeaways from their day.
