by Kathleen Barker Class of 66 Institute of Notre Dame
The 1960’s were a time of transition both inside and outside the institutional walls of Catholic schools and convents.
At the now-shuttered Institute of Notre Dame, an all-girls school in Baltimore, MD, we saw our SSND teachers change from the more voluminous and starched veil framing their faces to the closer-fitting headgear. It was jarring at first, but we soon adjusted. The Sisters likely felt the same. It was either more or less flattering, depending on the face it framed.
One face in either style was unforgettable – our math teacher, Sr. Jacqueline Elly. She taught both algebra and geometry. It was rumored that she had been a fashion model in New York before joining the convent. With her tall, slender figure and electric blue eyes, that was easy to believe. To this day I don’t know the truth.
Math had been the bane of my existence ever since fractions were introduced in the fifth grade. I barely passed. It seemed even more unfair when I was asked to solve for x, y, and z. I’m sure Sr. Jacqueline was being kind by giving me the lowest possible passing grade. Geometry was slightly easier because my brain could make a bit more sense of angles, but not by much.
Our beloved school may have closed its doors, a victim of location and economics, but the women who devoted their adult lives to educating young women will continue to have an impact for generations.
