Chatham Hall Announces 2025-2026 Alumnae Award Recipients

Chatham Hall is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025-2026 alumnae awards, honoring two graduates whose lives and careers reflect the School’s enduring commitment to leadership, purpose, and impact. This year, we celebrate Dr. Debra Hardy-Cartwright ’75 as the Distinguished Alumna Award recipient and Jessica Zhou ’15 as the Leader on the Rise Award recipient, two members of the Purple Team whose paths exemplify excellence across generations.

Distinguished Alumna Award: Dr. Debra Hardy-Cartwright ’75

A member of the Class of 1975, Dr. Debra Hardy-Cartwright has built a remarkable career defined by courage, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to equity in healthcare.

After earning her B.S. in Biology from the University of Virginia, her M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine, and completing her OB/GYN residency at Howard University Hospital, Dr. Hardy-Cartwright entered a medical landscape where access to care was deeply unequal. In 1987, she broke barriers by becoming the first African American female physician to open and operate a private OB/GYN practice in Annapolis, Maryland.

At the time, African American women in the region often had to travel significant distances for care or rely on limited options, as many local practices did not serve them. Dr. Hardy-Cartwright not only changed that reality - she transformed it. While working with the Anne Arundel County Health Department to care for Medicaid patients, she recognized an urgent need and answered it with bold action, opening her own practice to ensure women of all backgrounds had access to quality care.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, she delivered nearly 4,000 babies and cared for multiple generations of families, becoming a trusted and beloved presence in her community. Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Annapolis Juneteenth Celebration Pillar Award, the Sojourner Truth “Few of the Many” Award, and recognition from the Anne Arundel County Executive and the Caucus of African American Leaders.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Hardy-Cartwright has remained deeply committed to service, volunteering with organizations that support youth and the elderly in underserved communities. Her passion for advancing healthcare access and education, particularly for women and minorities, continues to inspire.

At Chatham Hall, she was an active student, participating in field hockey, tennis, chess, outdoor camping, and proudly representing the Purple Team. She recently returned to campus for her 50th Reunion, reconnecting with classmates and sharing her story with the community.

Leader on the Rise Award: Jessica Zhou ’15

Jessica Zhou, Class of 2015, represents the next generation of visionary leadership, blending creativity, education, and digital innovation to reach and empower millions.

After graduating from Chatham Hall, Jessica earned her B.A. in Psychology and Visual Arts from Princeton University, where she graduated summa cum laude, and later completed her Master’s in Education at Johns Hopkins University. Her early career included teaching with Teach For America, where she also served on the organization’s Collective Board, deepening her commitment to educational equity.

In 2021, she founded I Can Write!, an initiative dedicated to empowering students, especially young learners and English language learners, to find their voices through writing. This work laid the foundation for her broader impact in the education and digital content space.

Today, Jessica serves as a Social Media Manager and Strategist at Figma, where she focuses on educational engagement and outreach. She is also the creator behind Inspo by Jess, a widely followed platform that reaches over 6.4 million people monthly across Instagram and TikTok. Through her content, she connects with teachers, students, creatives, and professionals in tech, offering inspiration, practical tools, and a strong sense of community.

Her career reflects a clear throughline: a belief in the power of education, storytelling, and connection to transform lives at scale.

During her time at Chatham Hall, Jessica was deeply engaged in campus life, participating in the Sustainability Club, the Math Club, Honor Council, and serving as Sophomore Class Treasurer. She also contributed to creative initiatives like Stitch in the Niche and participated in the South Africa trip. Her academic achievements were equally impressive, earning multiple scholastic medals, departmental awards, and national recognition.

A Legacy of Purpose and Possibility

Together, Dr. Debra Hardy-Cartwright and Jessica Zhou embody the spirit of Chatham Hall: women who lead with integrity, challenge inequities, and create meaningful change in their communities and beyond. These two phenomenal alumnae have impacted thousands of lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate them this year. We will hold a special presentation at Reunion Weekend, May 1-3, 2026. Chatham Hall celebrates these extraordinary alumnae and the example they set for current students and future generations.