The state of Grace
Education is the most powerful tool to ensure the empowerment of women. St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Kloof, west of Durban, has recently unveiled a statue called Grace, to mark Women’s Month. Pupils reflect on what she means to them.
She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water… ‘Time’ for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.” – Roman Payne (US novelist)
Grace stands east-facing, waiting for the first signs of daybreak as she looks up at the new day approaching. As the sun rises, she is sun-kissed by the promises of life and, as it sets, the sun shines through her creating a golden mirage. She is ethereal. The statue Grace, a new sister in the St Mary’s family, stands proud – made entirely of butterflies that accentuate her frame – she is unearthly yet as real as you and me.
Our school motto is “Inspired girls… Remarkable women” and for the first time we have a physical representation of what these words truly mean. The metamorphosis of a young girl into a mature and independent woman similar to the process a caterpillar undertakes in becoming a butterfly. It is in this way that St Mary’s allows us to flourish and succeed in an environment that embraces the challenges that may come and encourages us to find our place in the world. It was by the grace of God and the grace of others that the school was able to present the statue as the symbol of the aid the school would grant in giving young girls, with aspirations as big as mine, the opportunity to say that they attended a school that helped them become “remarkable”.
As a young woman, it is empowering to see the statue celebrate the female form. Her “nakedness” encourages a sense of freedom and confidence in women who live in a society that often degrades the worth of women and the beauty and sanctity of their bodies.
I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of Grace. The sculptor, Helena Vogelzang, shed tears of sorrow and joy as on that day she was entrusting her “daughter” into the hands of St Mary’s. The statue not only held value and meaning to Vogelzang’s life, but to the lives of the women who are proud to have walked the halls of Henley, to have sung in the chapel, and who have made memories on this campus.
Grace is a living legacy that will be forever cherished.
Chiedza Tshaka, 16, Grade 11
WITH THE recent unveiling of the statue, Grace, at St Mary’s DSG Kloof, a new chapter has begun.
Not only does Grace embody the spirit of the school, she symbolises the individual.
I see a little of myself in this art: The idea of a free spirit with open arms. It symbolises the sense of community and belonging that I feel so deeply at this school.
The butterflies are a wonderful way to depict how each girl is a part of something great. There is detail in every butterfly, made by our girls, and each makes Grace the beautiful symbol she is.
Seeing it every morning makes me happy to be here with these girls alongside me as well as at this school that has made me the person that I am.
I am who I am because of those around me and Grace perfectly symbolises that with the butterflies forming an image of a girl.
Since I began at St Mary’s in Grade 8 I’ve thought the idea of a statue was good, and now it is here, I can’t think of a better way in which the spirit of the school could’ve been captured. After I leave, Grace will forever remain on my mind.
Erin Lombard, 13, Grade 7
EVERY girl starts at St Mary’s knowing one day she will leave. She knows she will gain far more knowledge than before she came. But what she doesn’t know is what dream she will leave with.
That is what I notice every time I look at Grace and see her butterflies flying in their different directions. The butterflies represent what we become after a childhood spent at St Mary’s as we fly off on our own journeys giving our unique contributions to making the world a better place.
I feel privileged to have this new St Mary’s family member. Grace may not be one who is going to share in all my experiences, but she will always be watching me. She will see me in my excellence and in my failure. Even when I’m down she will uplift me with just one glance as I reflect on all the strengths that she stands for.
One thing I am sure of is that she will play a huge role in inspiring girls to one day become remarkable women.
At the end of each day, she looks into the future as she watches the sunset and her pride shines through, lighting up the nights for St Mary’s girls to help them achieve their accomplishments. Grace will be a life-long guardian angel to every St Mary’s girl - past, present and
Sophie Phipson, 13, Grade 7
Blessed with different patterns She teaches us to be at ease. Her heart is lit with hope Her soul shines in luminous light For the valiant women who battle cancer She is the star in the night. She is graceful, Inspiring, Hopeful, Unique. She is A WOMAN.