By Lauryn Jelsema, Culture Editor
Dr. Penny Avery addressing HerStory attendees – Photo by Nevaeh Porter
On Feb. 5, the Aquinas Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (CDI&E) and the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s and Gender Studies Center held its first HerStory of the spring semester in The Moose.
During fall semester, the HerStory series included speakers Valentina Garcia and Lizz Forsyth. Dr. Penny Avery, Communications Chair, Faculty Assembly Chairperson and theater program director, was chosen as the inaugural guest speaker as the series returns.
She opened her presentation with a quote from Rose Kennedy, that Avery says continues to inspire her: “Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.” Avery reflected the sentiment in her speech, filling the time with anecdotes from when she was younger, and the life lessons that she learned from them.
One lesson that stuck with her in particular was something she learned from watching her mother take care of her aunt after the death of her uncle. “Family takes care of family,” Avery said.
She also took time to reflect on her time at Aquinas, when she first started her career as a professor. A moment she was quick to recall, was when a student in her class, Travis Harden, fell asleep. She noted her compulsion not to stay silent. “Travis Harden, you will not sleep in my class!” said Avery. After the outburst, she excused herself from the room, finding Dave Weinandy’s office a safe place to cry.
Dr. Dunham-Strand asks Avery lightning questions – Photo by Nevaeh Porter
Harden came to find her, and explained that he had two back to back sporting events the day before, arriving back at Aquinas by bus at 4 a.m. that morning. Despite the early morning return, he still attempted to go to class. That day she learned her first lesson as a teacher, which was to never assume.
“Live your moments. They don’t have to be monumental, but they’ll help make you who you are,” said Avery in her closing statement.
The Saint 