Young '57 & Brooks '16 Honored with 2022 Alumnae Awards

The Chatham Hall Distinguished Alumna Award was established in 2010 to recognize standout graduates representing diverse professions and interests. The Distinguished Alumna Award recognizes Chatham Hall graduates who embody the characteristics and values of Chatham Hall, such as honor, respect, and integrity.

Young, who received her B.A. in history from Smith College and her M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania, has dedicated her life to empowering women and has more than 50 years of teaching experience and extensive experience on educational boards as well as as a visiting lecturer. She has also led 14 international trips for Habitat for Humanity including  Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Nepal. As a leader, she encourages local participation with project teams so that the methods used and learned by the community members will continue to empower the residents after the Habitat team has returned home. In 2014, she became involved with the SEGA Girls’ Secondary School in Tanzania where she developed and implemented a two-week oral fluency program for students whose oral English language abilities were virtually nonexistent. Truly, she has been involved in local, national, and international affairs for more than half a century in myriad ways.

“Sherley Young has empowered women from around the world to choose courage over comfort,” said Danielle Thomas Kimmel ’04, president of the Alumnae Council. “During her sixty-fifth reunion in 2022, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize Sherley for her global service and leadership.”

The Chatham Hall Leader on the Rise Award was established in 2021 and recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves through creativity, achievement, and/or innovation either in their profession or through commitment to an issue, project, or cause.

Brooks attended Emory University and earned a B.A. in international and global studies following her graduation from Chatham Hall, and is currently enrolled in American University’s College of Law. While a student at the School she founded a Girl Up club and spoke about the experience as a member of the keynote panel of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) 2020 conference Stand Up, Speak Up: Girls Using Their Voices to Engage, Empower, & Enact. In 2021 she served as the keynote speaker of Chatham Hall’s GIRLS’ Day, where she discussed her involvement with Girl Up and the stepping stones of her life. During her first semester at American University Washington College of Law, Brooks was awarded the J. Franklyn Bourne Annual Scholarship from The J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Inc. and she is a "My Life as a Lawyer” scholarship winner of the Corporate Counsel Women of Color. Brooks has also served as a judicial extern at U.S. District Court Maryland, Southern Division and a legal intern with The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

“Imani is the definition of a leader on the rise,” said Kimmel. “In a short amount of time, she has accomplished so much and we are looking forward to watching her ignite the light for others. We know she has a bright future ahead!”