By Kerrigan Smedley, Reporter
On Sept. 3 at the Cook Carriage House students and faculty gathered to hear Director of the Dominican Center, Sister Diane Zerfas, O.P., share her life story. Sister Zerfas delivered the first HerStory of the 26-27 academic school year. HerStory is an event led by the Aquinas College Women’s and Gender Studies Center and it is in its eighth annual year. HerStory events take place on the first Thursday of each month of the semester.
Sister Zerfas shared many stories ranging from her early childhood, to her days as a student at Aquinas, to teaching at high schools, preaching at parish’s and teaching at Aquinas. In HerStory, Sister Zerfas discussed how different opportunities and abilities have shaped her life into getting where she is today. She said that “as your life unfolds, you have evolving opportunities…and you learn what your gifts are.”
She told stories of her life journey and how that led her to discovering her own gifts. She closed HerStory by asking for everyone to reflect on their own stories and to remember that “life is a journey, and it is exciting to see how God nudges us and opens doors for us.” Bechtold spoke about her own reflection after Sister Zerfas’ talk saying “where might there be different opportunities for me to use my abilities or obstacles and how I may be shaped by them, like Sr. Diane was shaped by not being able to attend kindergarten.”
Sister Zerfas answering questions after the talk – Photo by Ashlyn Armock
Among the attendants was Professor Dr. Amy Dunham-Strand, and senior and Intern for the Women and Gender Studies Center Savannah Hammock.
Hammock shared that Sister Zerfas’ story is similar to her own. Both having the opportunity to attend Aquinas and growing up in rural farming towns.
“Even though I’m not a Dominican sister,” Hammock said. “I still have a big heart to help people around me [just like Sister Diane who] has always had the biggest heart…[and known from an early age] that she wanted to help people [which led her to being a Sister].”
Dr. Dunham-Strand after Sister Zerfas’ finished HerStory asked a question about her environmental activism which prompted her to discuss the watershed surrounding Aquinas’ campus and the importance of appreciating and conserving the earth.
Bechtold shared how the HerStory series is her favorite on-going series that Aquinas does. “The women they have share (faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members) always have such interesting insights and stories,” Bechtold said.
The next HerStory is Michaela Faith and will be held on Oct. 1 at 12:15 pm in the Cook Carriage House.
The Saint 