Earlier today I had a phone conversation with Jeff Todd regarding Kathy's older brother Gary, and learned of Kathy's passing. If my memory serves me right, Kathy was a classmate in elementary school at IC and at Watterson. From reading her obituary, she lead a full and exciting life, especially her time on the farm. Maay the peace and grace of the Lord be with you, Kathy.
The unexpected afternoon debate was at Immaculate Conception School, likely sixth grade, 1959. Our teaching sister (Franciscan, brown habit, black veil) was making a point about the proper role of women as helpmates to men. But a group of our girls would have none of that. There was an equality between the genders -- period. In my memory, Kathy Rupp was in that insurrection. Can I be sure? Not after so long, but the teacher's reaction was memorable. To her credit, she heard the girls' point of view, questioned to be sure she got it, expressed her surprise but did not attempt to dissuade. That debate, with several girls leading the charge, went on for some time.
The boys sat quietly, listening. I recall thinking the girls' position on gender equality was simply right, and a view I thought I'd hold if I were a girl.
We all moved on. I raised three daughters with just that spirit.
I can definitely picture Kathy making that challenge. Remarkable in those times, still the fifties. She was ahead of her time. Thanks for sharing this, Dan.
I recall at one of our Watterson Class Reunions, possibly the 15th (?) Kathy shared that she had just negotiated an ESOP for her company. I was aware of ESOPs and had studied them, but did not personally know of anyone who had accomplished one. I was so impressed. I told her she was my hero, she was modest and blushed. Rest in Peace Friend.
William Lynch
Earlier today I had a phone conversation with Jeff Todd regarding Kathy's older brother Gary, and learned of Kathy's passing. If my memory serves me right, Kathy was a classmate in elementary school at IC and at Watterson. From reading her obituary, she lead a full and exciting life, especially her time on the farm. Maay the peace and grace of the Lord be with you, Kathy.
Bill Lynch
Daniel McGrath
Too many years have passed, but this I recall:
The unexpected afternoon debate was at Immaculate Conception School, likely sixth grade, 1959. Our teaching sister (Franciscan, brown habit, black veil) was making a point about the proper role of women as helpmates to men. But a group of our girls would have none of that. There was an equality between the genders -- period. In my memory, Kathy Rupp was in that insurrection. Can I be sure? Not after so long, but the teacher's reaction was memorable. To her credit, she heard the girls' point of view, questioned to be sure she got it, expressed her surprise but did not attempt to dissuade. That debate, with several girls leading the charge, went on for some time.
The boys sat quietly, listening. I recall thinking the girls' position on gender equality was simply right, and a view I thought I'd hold if I were a girl.
We all moved on. I raised three daughters with just that spirit.
Mary Louise Smith (Ochoa)
I can definitely picture Kathy making that challenge. Remarkable in those times, still the fifties. She was ahead of her time. Thanks for sharing this, Dan.
Michele Grau (Johnston)
I recall at one of our Watterson Class Reunions, possibly the 15th (?) Kathy shared that she had just negotiated an ESOP for her company. I was aware of ESOPs and had studied them, but did not personally know of anyone who had accomplished one. I was so impressed. I told her she was my hero, she was modest and blushed. Rest in Peace Friend.