Skaneateles Social Studies Teachers Visit National Women's Hall of Fame

This past weekend, Skaneateles Social Studies teachers Rob DeMass and Marcus Guy traveled to Waterloo and took in the National Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Some of the incredible inductees included scientist Flossie Wong-Staal, world renowned fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg, Native American activist Sarah Deer, actor and activist Jane Fonda, equal rights attorney Gloria Allred, US fighter pilot Nicole Malachowski, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

The ceremony included many past inductees, as well as personal notes from other leading women including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Gloria Allred started off the night with an impassioned speech about equal rights, but did not overshadow the others, all humbled by the honor, but laser focused in their messages.
 
Both DeMass and Guy had access to many of the inductees, and did have an opportunity to speak with several, including the night’s most guarded, Justice Sotomayor. While speaking with Sotomayor (with Federal agents on each side), they were delighted to hear that History is her favorite subject. The conversation ended with both men “truly inspired” by her words, and with a quote from Sotomayor that will resonate for a lifetime.

After a brief conversation, and of course a photo op, Sotomayor placed her arms around both men and said, “Teachers do God’s work, thank you.”