Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
"We can never say, it is enough..." - Catherine McAuley
She Belongs Here
At Gwynedd, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice are synonymous with belonging.
We recognize that every person is a child of God and that trust, understanding, and mutual respect lie at the heart of our community. Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is committed to creating a supportive learning environment where all individuals are valued for their unique contributions and are able to achieve their highest potential.
We reject all prejudice and strongly believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is the best learning environment for our young women and prepares them to live, work, and thrive in an increasingly global and intercultural community.
"To open doors for her, we will unite our community, expand our diversity, and grow connections locally and globally.
Gwynedd's great differentiator is our strength of community infused with Mercy spirit. Our genuine desire to help one another succeed empowers the whole to make an even greater impact in the world. To widen and deepen our circle, we will mobilize our Gwynedd family through our global Mercy network to share our story and create a more vibrant, diverse, and engaged school community where all feel welcome, supported, and purposeful. Through a commitment to faith, service, and inclusion, our students will forever ground themselves in Mercy values, calibrating their moral compass for life."
We strive to create a space in which differences in culture, ethnicity, race and other aspects of identity and opinion can be safely and authentically represented and celebrated.
We work to ensure that every girl is visible—seen and valued for their unique and special contributions to our shared community.
We believe in maintaining equal yet equitable space—removing barriers and safeguarding the ability for any student to access and engage in our traditions, programs, curricula and athletics.
We value fairness and justice as demonstrated by our policies and desire to engage in restorative justice practices.
At Gwynedd we educate, inspire, and empower women to be their best selves—to lead with compassion and kindness as they prepare to enter life after Gwynedd as strong, merciful global leaders.
DEIJ in Action
In our continuing commitment to listen, learn, and do better, suggestions and input to facilitate growth and
advancement of our efforts are welcome: inclusion@smc26.com.
DEIJ Council
Meet the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Anita Roberson
Anita Roberson firmly believes, as the late Congressman John Lewis professed, that "if you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it." It is this call to action that has led Anita to live a life of service committed to helping individuals and organizations solve issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to joining the Gwynedd Mercy team, Anita served as the Middle States Regional Program Manager for A Better Chance, a national non-profit that recruits academically talented students of color for independent school placement. There, Anita delivered workshops designed to help scholars successfully transition and thrive in predominantly white institutions while also advising member independent schools on their diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Anita served as the founding Boston site director at a national non-profit that provides academic enrichment programs for first-generation college students while simultaneously training future teachers on how to serve the educational needs of students from marginalized communities. Additionally, Anita founded a college preparatory elementary school for economically disadvantaged students. Anita has developed and executed a broad range of workshops on topics pertaining to race, gender, class, and sexual orientation and is extremely excited to join the Gwynedd Mercy community in her role as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leader. In her spare time Anita loves to read, listen to podcasts, cycle, and play recreational soccer. Anita is a graduate of Cornell University.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Anita Roberson, aroberson@smc26.com.