Conclusion and Questions
Mary Gage Peterson was a remarkable and accomplished individual. Learning about her life reveals striking parallels with the values and mission of the school that now bears her name—more than a century later.
- College Graduate - Mary Gage Peterson was not only a college graduate but an educational leader. She helped create a school for women here in Chicago and was actively engaged in the work of Mt. Holyoke College whole entire life.
- Community Leader - Peterson was actively engaged in both local and national affairs and was particularly concerned with conservation and environmental issues.
- Cultural Ambassador - through her her life, Mary Gage Peterson regularly navigated differences in language and tradition while working with many newly arrived immigrants.
However, these connections are not perfect. While she was certainly engaged in intercultural connections, I don't know if she could have imagined the diversity of language and customs currently present at Peterson Elementary School. Nor do these three categories capture the totality of her life. For example, Mary Gage Peterson was involved in religious communities that do not map neatly into the Peterson mission statement.
Of course, these connections are not perfect. While she was certainly engaged in intercultural work, it’s difficult to say whether she could have imagined the incredible diversity of languages, backgrounds, and cultures present at Peterson Elementary School today. And these three categories—educational advocate, community leader, cultural ambassador—don’t fully capture the complexity of her life. For instance, her involvement in religious communities doesn’t map neatly onto the current vision of the school.
Still, this exhibit does not intend to be the definitive biography of Mary Gage Peterson. Instead, it aims to juxtapose her life with the modern identity of the school, inviting reflection on both continuity and change.