Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Prior to the Dahlgren Dialogue event, I had only stepped foot into Dahlgren Chapel once before on Easter Sunday. For me, the sacred space was the physical manifestation of Georgetown’s Catholic identity standing at the heart of the university in both the literal and metaphorical sense. With this expectation in mind, I found myself initially shocked and then incredibly engaged as I witnessed the Dahlgren Dialogue on "Confronting Racism in our Hearts and in our Nation." The chapel was transformed into a truly inspiring space.

The first Catholic president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, is known for many things, but he rarely is recognized for his role in the women’s rights movement. Under the Kennedy administration, the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act were passed, and the Commission on the Status of Women was established. Though parts of Kennedy’s legacy are less bright regarding his record with women, he took unprecedented strides to protect the dignity of the human person—a core tenant of Catholic Social Thought. However, the presence of laws and ideals supporting equality in our society are not enough to change behavior. Equality and dignity must be institutionalized in every aspect of our culture and promoted among our youth and more tenured leaders, including those in religious and political positions.