by Mattea Kramer '02

The Deerfield Girl and Boy statues reside in the Memorial Building lobby. The boy's nose has been rubbed into a bright shine, and below him a Faulkner quote speaks of the endurance of man. The Girl, much newer than the Boy, has yet to become a real fixture in the Memorial Building lobby or in students' lives. We rarely rub her nose, and no plaque offers a quote reflecting on some aspect of life as a Deerfield girl.

After more than ten years of coeducation, girls have both a strong presence and a strong history here. Reflecting on the role of gender led to a search for a quote to inscribe into a plaque on the Deerfield Girl statue.

With Ms. Vis, a group of interested girls gathered to select some possible quotes. We settled on three: a quote by Jennie Arms Sheldon, "Anything in which she can succeed and perform the greatest good for humanity is hers to do, for this is the object and aim of life."

A quote by philosopher Ayn Rand, "I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction."

And finally, one by Florida Scott-Maxwell, writer and suffragist, "You need only claim the events of your life to make yourself yours. When you truly possess all you have been and done, which may take some time, you are fierce with reality."

All Deerfield girls had the opportunity to vote on their choice of the three, and the quote by Florida Scott-Maxwell was selected. A plaque was prepared in time for the graduation of the Class of 2002.

As published in the June 2002 issue of Deerfield Today, a newsletter for alumni of Deerfield Academy