In this centennial year, Marymount New York celebrates not only the passage of time, but also the enduring spirit that has defined the school for 100 years. Rooted in the mission of the M, the Marymount community has embraced this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on where it has come from, who it is today, and the path it is charting for the future. Throughout the year, a vibrant and multifaceted series of initiatives has brought this vision to life, engaging students, alumnae, families, faculty, and friends in meaningful and joyful ways.
A cornerstone of the celebration has been storytelling: honoring the people, traditions, and moments that have shaped Marymount across generations. On social media, the school has invited its community to a shared historical journey through features such as “On This Day in Marymount History” and then-and-now comparisons of beloved traditions. These glimpses into the past have not only sparked nostalgia but have also deepened appreciation for the continuity of the school’s mission. Marymount’s alumnae platforms have highlighted graduates who carry that mission into the world, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact of a Marymount education.
This spirit of reflection is also captured in this year’s Legacy Magazine, aptly titled Icons of a Century: 100 People, Places, and Objects That Define Marymount. Drawing on the voices of the community, the publication highlights 100 defining elements of the Marymount experience, weaving together personal stories and historical insights. Complementing these written reflections, a four-part video series has explored the essential pillars of a Marymount education: heritage and mission, community and belonging, academics, and extracurricular life. The result is both a tribute to the past and a testament to the shared values that continue to unite the community.
At the heart of the centennial celebrations was a deeply meaningful Founder’s Day Mass, held on February 2 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Nearly 2,000 members of the Marymount community gathered in this sacred space to honor the school’s Catholic identity and its commitment to educating young women of purpose, faith, and compassion. During the liturgy, the school unveiled a new, beautifully designed centennial banner reflecting the global reach of the RSHM network through flowers representing each country in which RSHM schools are found.
Following the Mass, the celebration continued on campus as students gathered to create birthday cards for Marymount and to contribute to a collaborative mural celebrating “100 Things We Love About Marymount.” The day culminated in a spirited pep rally, where each grade presented a symbolic item for inclusion in a time capsule to be opened at the school’s 125th anniversary in 2051. In a moment that bridged past and present, the community also opened a time capsule from its 75th anniversary, offering a tangible link to earlier generations of Marymount students.
The year reached a festive high point on April 17 at the Centennial Benefit Gala, held at the iconic Waldorf Astoria New York. Nearly 1,000 members of the Marymount community gathered for an evening inspired by the “Roaring Twenties,” complete with dinner, dancing, and both silent and live auctions. The Gala not only celebrated the school’s rich history but also looked ahead, raising vital funds to support renovations and enhancements of their historic Fifth Avenue home, ensuring that future generations of students continue to learn and grow in spaces that reflect the excellence of a Marymount education.
Together, these centennial initiatives form a tapestry of gratitude, pride, and hope. They honor the legacy of the RSHM and all who have shaped Marymount over the past century, while affirming a shared commitment to the future. As the school embarks on its second century, it does so with a deep sense of purpose – guided by its mission, strengthened by its community, and inspired by the countless lives it will continue to transform.