Alumna of The Ethel Walker School Launches Her Fifth Book

On October 7, Dr. Veda Pendleton visited The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury to celebrate the launch of her latest and fifth book, Prepped: Coming of Age in Black and White America. Pendleton is a 1975 graduate of Walker's.

1,373. That’s how many miles Pendleton was from home when she left her impoverished home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to attend Walker’s in 1972. At 15, Pendleton found herself in a new culture interacting with predominantly white students and adults at the all-girls New England prep school. For three years, she faced social, emotional, and academic challenges. Throughout the story, Pendleton juxtaposes her southern upbringing with that of her prep school experience and comes to understand that the journey prepared her for a life living with differences and similarities amongst women of all hues.

While visiting the school, Pendleton attended several classes, had lunch with student members of the Black Student Union and participated in a book launch and discussion with members of the community, including alumnae, faculty, staff, parents and members of the SPHERE Schools network.

Pendleton earned her Ph.D. in reading education at The University of Georgia and for nearly twenty years, she worked in higher education, teaching teachers how to teach reading and working as a department chair and college dean. Her work in education led her back to public education as a consultant and state equity lead for the Kentucky Department of Education. She currently works as a consultant and coach for a local school district.

The Ethel Walker School is an independent, college preparatory, boarding and day school in Simsbury, CT for girls in grades six through 12 plus a postgraduate year. Since 1911, Walker's has excelled at preparing students to make a difference in the world. Members of this diverse community are dedicated to scholarship, the arts, athletics, wellness and service.