Never underestimate an educated woman. We are a powerful force when acting alone, but in a large group, we can move mountains. To quote Tina Fey, “B*tches get stuff done.”

That’s precisely what happened yesterday on North Broom Street outside of Padua Academy in Wilmington, Delaware. “Padua Academy is a four-year Catholic high school for young women that was founded in 1954 by Rev. Joseph L. McCoy, O.S.F.S. and built by the members of St. Anthony of Padua parish.” Padua is my alma mater and holds a special place in my heart because it has shaped me into the woman I am today. I am a member of Padua Academy, class of 2009. I am a Proud Panda. I have formed a sisterhood with some amazing women that will last a lifetime. In that big box of love, I learned how to let my light shine softly but strongly.

Yesterday, my fellow sisters took to the streets to stand up for an injustice, and I could not have been more proud. Current Head of School, Cindy Mann, was abruptly fired on Friday, March 16th by St. Anthony’s pastor, Father Nicholas Waseline to whom she directly reports. The dismissal was reportedly due to a financial disagreement between the pastor and principal. The Padua Board of Trustees was not notified of the firing of Mrs. Mann before the act, nor was Vice Principal Mary McClory, who received a letter stating she was to be the acting principal until further notice. Current students and parents were outraged when the news broke, and members of the student council organized a peaceful protest to let the Diocese of Wilmington know it.

Students, parents, and alumnae were urged to wear pink — Mrs. Mann’s favorite color — and they spent the school-day sitting on the front steps, holding signs and praying and singing together. Some parents even made special t-shirts for the event. They turned the Padua community Facebook group into a dialogue to keep parents and alumnae involved and coined the hashtag #pinkshoepower, an homage to the pink Crocs Mrs. Mann wore with every outfit. Seeing alumnae from across the country pouring out their love and support and sending pictures of themselves in pink made my heart swell. The majority of these women don’t know Cindy Mann as she stepped into the role of principal in 2009 — the year after I graduated.

Photo courtesy of Madelyn Williams

With students leading the way, this peaceful protest was organized in three short days. So, yeah. B*tches get stuff done. These ladies felt Father Waseline acted unjustly, and they followed the example of their fearless leader by making their voices heard. In keeping in line with the Padua motto, “Sauviter ed fortiter,” the students “softly but strongly” stood up for their principal as she had done countless times for them.

While I couldn’t be with them yesterday, I watched the events unfold in my pink jacket with tears of pride for my sisters. I am a part of this beautiful sisterhood that forever changed my life. I pray that this injustice is corrected so that these girls can have their beloved principal back where she belongs. #PinkShoePower!