"HerStory: Cixi The Last Empress of China"

Published: March 31, 2025

At Notre Dame Academy, empowering young women to discover and harness their personal power is at the heart of our mission. In Mrs. Morgan's Honors World History class, their recent assignment "HerStory: Cixi The Last Empress of China" had three parts:

• Part 1: Learning biographical information about Cixi, a formidable woman who ruled as an empress for over 40 years (as a regent for her young son and then nephew). 
• Part 2: Analyzing a primary source photograph of Cixi- the staging, meaning and all the accoutrement that was specifically chosen to represent Cixi's power and influence. Students considered Cixi's fashion and were also asked to think of modern women in leadership roles and how they present a powerful image. Students also reflected on and discuss stereotypes and challenges of women in power.
• Part 3: They recreated the historical photograph but with a modern take. Students explored their own personal power and include accoutrement in their photograph that reflects their personal power.

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Raegan; Meaning Little Ruler by Raegan Rutherford

• Raegan Neon Sign: My name
• Bible: My power comes from my faith and staying close to God.
• Swim trophy & Medals: All of my accomplishments in swim have been as a result of the mental toughness and personal strength I hold.
• Royal Blue Shirt: My favorite color, which embodies strength, serenity, & trust.
• Swim Bag: The same bag I started swim with, 8 years ago, which represents my dedication.
• NDA Memory Box: Coming to NDA has been the best decision, and it has really helped me find my self-image.

The Power Beneath Your Skin by Jaiden Suarez

• Filipino Flag Jacket/rice hat: I believe that I show my power through the history of my culture and carrying on the power of the people that have fought to make it the great country it is
• Headphones: This expresses the need to listen as I show my power through my words and communicating to people who I am as a person, and what makes me known
• Books: I show my power through the privilege of my knowledge and being able to spread it to influence the people around me
• Wearing my flag/showing off my culture: Often times people are ashamed to express their culture, but by showing mine off, I show pride in an often overlooked ethnicity surrounded by Caucasian descent
• Skirt/unzipped jacket: Often seen as sometimes discreditable to one’s image, I chose to show these details to challenge oversexualized views upon women, and how surrounding these small details awaits various aspects such as beauty, culture, and knowledge
• Sitting Position: Similar to a man’s way of sitting, this shows how despite female aspects, through breaking the expectation of what’s considered ladylike, I prove just as capable and present as a male figure 

Power in Yourself by Ella Switlick

• Teal represents calmness and trust, represents trusting in yourself 
• The framed picture is an award I received for an essay about my faith, shows both my strengths in academics and my strong faith 
• The plaque is an award for my leadership amongst my classmates, an example of my internal strengths as a person 
• The softball bat, volleyball shoes, softball ring, and volleyball trophy represent my accomplishments as an athlete 
• The statue of Mary used to be my grandmother’s, which shows the Catholic faith that I continue to believe in and show throughout my life
• My power moves are helping others through academics and athletics, this will help others to become the best versions of themselves, this will help change the world one person at a time 

The Balancing Act by Jocelyn Tabb

• Hand of pointe shoes: this collection represents the time, effort, and failures it took to achieve the success I have now. 
• Trophy: the trophy is from my seventh year of running Cross country. While I no longer run, I still display these trophies because they represent how much I have and will persevere in my life. It also represents the success that has stemmed from my perseverance. 
• My outfit: my outfit is an outfit I recently wore to a ballet class. It is bright and bold and defies the greys and whites that color the world around me. I like to stand out and I like to be bright. This outfit shows that. 
• The books and shoes: in this photograph I am balancing en pointe with a stack of three of my favorite books on my head. The represents the balance I have to keep between my education and my passion but also, how they can merge together and help me in several ways. 

Serving Strength by Hannah Tam

• The color blue is commonly associated with athletes and strength. It is also one of our school colors, showing that I represent our school on and off the court.

• I am wearing my running shoes to indicate that I am on our indoor track team in addition to tennis

• The varsity letters also represent NDA and our tennis team

• As a freshman playing singles on the varsity tennis team, I’m challenging perceptions and proving that determination and skill can make a difference regardless of age and experience

• My personal power can help to transform our world by inspiring others to pursue their passion in sports and showing them that they can be important to their team even if they are younger and less experienced. I also represent my heritage and defy stereotypes of unathleticism in Asian culture by my involvement in multiple sports.