Girls Matter Harpeth Hall

As Grandparents of three HH alumnae, we support this petition.

Both of my sisters went to HH. It would not have been the same education and experience with males walking around.

The Board has single handedly gone a step too far without regard for the total HH community.

The girls school tradition shall remain

Harpeth Hall has a long, respectable tradition for young women. Biologically being a woman is a fundamental requirement. Allowing biologically young men to be included at Harpeth Hall compromises the safety and physical playing field for the young women who truly embody the strong Harpeth Hall tradition for young women.

It is my core belief as an ally of the LGBTQIA community that all students- regardless of gender identity- deserve a place to feel seen, heard, nurtured, and deeply respected in an educational setting and beyond. I sign this petition today as a way of protesting the manner in which this institutional decision was both made and announced to the greater Harpeth Hall community. Significant constituencies- the student body, faculty, students, alumnae, and current parents- were caught off guard by the announcement which arrived on the brink of a new school year. A well intended effort to be inclusive and unifying has instead greatly divided. The timing of the implementation and vague wording that leaves much up for interpretation have wreaked tremendous and growing division among members of the learning community we all hold dear. The decision feels (whether it is or not) unexpected and sudden. As a result, it has created a sense of turmoil that will undoubtedly affect the young women currently in attendance at Harpeth Hall. My concern is for their experience this year- not because of the gender diversity policy- but because of the community fallout from it. I love my alma mater. I will always be proud to call it a place that ignited intellectual pursuits for me that continue to this day. My hope is for an open forum and discussion wherein all voices are heard in a civil manner at a place many of us have called home.

Father of an alumna

This is a terrible mistake and after listening to the alumnae zoom today it can be corrected by the board of trustees . Please listen to the parents and alumnae.

My Sister and mother attended HH. It is a wonderful place and tradition. Please do note change. If the extremely wealthy of TN want to start there own school and change the all girls rule. More power to them. Let the traditional stay traditional.

Please continue and keep the same traditions

Admit biological girls only.

I was disappointed in the response from the Board this afternoon. I am certain that they are hopeful that the passage of time will weaken the resolve of people looking for answers. It is important that the intensity remain high.

Class of 2016

For my precious 4 years at Harpeth Hall, we were told that the community and curriculum were carefully and specially designed for girls. The biological makeup of how a female brain works was the foundation and motivation for this school for the past 155. I as an alumna do not support this decision. There are many wonderful private schools in the Nashville area that are open to all genders in their student body.

Yeah JVM!

Harpeth Hall is and should be a school for biological girls. period.

I’m the grandmother of a graduate student. I do not live in Tennessee now; however, it was on our local news with the following comments: “ Can you believe this? What a disgrace! Parents must be outraged!

Class of 1971

I believe those involved with this decision had their hearts in the right place but strongly disagree with the decision. Had my daughter not graduated this year, she would not have finished her education at harpeth hall.

This should have been a decision made by all stakeholders, not just the headmistress and the board.