Gumption in Action
Welcome back to our miniseries about Miss Hall’s women changing the world. This week’s Global Changemakers are future MHS alumnae, two sets of sophomores already making a difference using philanthropy to help friends and save lives.
In response to the outbreak of coronavirus in China, Elin Chen ’22, Julianna Jia ’22 Dorothy Shi ’22, Kaity Weng ’22, Sammie Yu ’22 Christina Zheng ’22, and Ivy Ziyu ’22 launched a community fundraising initiative in February to support the purchase of medical supplies needed by healthcare workers.

Calling themselves the Relief Awareness Facts Team (R.A.F.T.), these incredible students quickly raised $1,500 for masks, gowns, and other protective clothing for nurses at the Wuhan Tongji Hospital.
A few short weeks later, on the eve of Spring Break, their classmates Cailyn Tetteh ’22 and Truc Hoang ’22 , proposed a relief fund to help friends struggling to adjust their travel plans as COVID-19 spread across the U.S. They articulated a vision of contributing boldly and creatively to the common good by banding together — individual student contributions and class gifts, plus support from MHS alumnae, family, and friends — to make a direct impact on the lives of students, right now.
As you may know, Miss Halls is moving quickly to respond to the rapidly evolving pandemic and ensure the safety of our entire community: postponing on-campus activities, and shifting to distance learning for all students for the remainder of the school year.

Following the lead of our amazing students, today we establish the Community Action Fund within the Annual Fund for MHS to address needs that arise within our family, faculty, and staff community at this unprecedented time.
Gifts designated to the Community Action Fund envisioned by our students will provide operational resources for Head of School Julia Heaton and the MHS Leadership Team to allocate as needed, including:

  • Assistance to students needing help traveling home
  • Support to keep the 32 students remaining on campus, or in homestay situations, safe and healthy
  • Unanticipated need for financial aid
  • Professional development for faculty as they reimagine their teaching for distance learning
  • Computers for students working at a distance
  • Remote academic support for students
  • Shipping of books students need to complete the school year
  • Internet access and technology expenses related to online learning.

During this time when so much is unknown, we are each determining the best course of action for ourselves, our families, and our wider communities. Thank you in advance for designating the Community Action Fund in the other box in our  online giving form .


Every gift, big or small, will lift our community up!
"In the true spirit of Miss Hall's School
our students have shown us the power
in caring for each other and the benefits
of being generous with ourselves and others
as we navigate this changing landscape."

- Head of School Julia Heaton
BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF GIRLS.