PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Central High School, one of Philadelphia's top magnet schools, has named its first woman and first African American president.
Katharine Davis, who graduated from Central in 2005, has been chosen as the 186-year-old school's 15th president. Central uses that term for their top administrator, rather than "principal."
"The significance of this event is not lost on me," Davis told KYW Newsradio. "As the first female to lead the school, as the first African American person of color, and as the seventh alumnus, I am quite proud."
The appointment of Davis comes at a crucial time, as students at Central have publicly voiced concerns about discrimination at the school. In recent years, Central's Black Student Union pointed out what it saw as racist microaggressions in class.
Black students made up a third of Central's student population ten years ago. Currently, only 18% of the student body is Black. Davis said she understands the students' frustration.
"When we reflect on the experiences of the past couple of years and when we talk about equitable spaces in public school and an inherent racism that exists in public school systems, I am not surprised by the conversation whatsoever," she said.
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The 34-year-old Davis is currently the principal at Henry Elementary School. "In a number of ways, this opportunity found me," she shared.
"I've been at C.W. Henry School for three years, and this is an elementary school that I do deeply love. And it was my intention to be the leader here for a longer period of time. But when the outgoing president, President [Tim] McKenna at Central High School announced that he was moving elsewhere, and the opportunity would be presenting itself for the first time in 10 years, it just was not an opportunity that I could say no to."
She graduated from Central 22 years after the formerly all-boys school began admitting girls. "I have memories of overflowing hallways, bustling classrooms, teachers who had been in the school community for many years," she recalled. "One of the most attractive qualities about Central when I was a student is the fact that there was a place for everybody to feel accepted."
Davis officially begins as Central’s president July 1.
"As a woman and also as a woman of color, I hope that I am able to inspire other young people to see themselves in me," she said, "and to realize that we all have the ability to set our expectations high and to aspire to do great things."
Bridging Philly has more on Black women making history, in Philadelphia and nationwide.
