GETTYSBURG, PA — A bold chapter in collective philanthropy has begun at Mercersburg Academy. During the second Women in Focus symposium, the school officially announced the 1,000 Women Challenge, a bold initiative to unite 1,000 alumnae, parents, and friends to unlock a $10 million challenge gift in support of the With Full Hearts campaign.

More than a fundraising effort, this initiative is a celebration of participation and shared purpose. Every gift, regardless of size, serves as a “key” to unlock the challenge. These funds will directly support the total renovation of the campus dining center—the literal and metaphorical heart of campus—which will be renamed the Alumnae Commons at Ford Hall in honor of this united endeavor.

“This isn’t about the amount of a single gift; it’s about the strength of our numbers,” said Denise Dupré ’76. “We are betting $10 million on the belief that when 1,000 Mercersburg women stand together, we can transform the heart of this campus.”

The Power of 1,000

The goal of the movement is as simple as it is profound: 1,000 women, each making a gift that is meaningful to them. In a powerful nod to equity, every donor will be recognized equally. This reinforces the campaign’s core belief that the spirit of participation is the truest measure of commitment.

Rooted in the spirit of inclusion, this challenge honors the trailblazing women who first opened the doors to leadership at Mercersburg. Today, a new generation is invited to step forward to ensure that every member of this community, now and in the future, has a seat at the table.

Conversations of Consequence

The challenge was officially sparked at the Women in Focus symposium, where more than 140 women—alumnae, parents, faculty, staff, and students—gathered for a weekend of “conversations of consequence.”

The event featured dynamic speakers, including Shanna Hocking, author of One Bold Move a Day, and Dr. Valerie Young, an expert on imposter syndrome and author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women. These sessions explored leadership, financial empowerment, and the transformative power of taking “one bold move.” The weekend served as the perfect springboard for an initiative that asks every woman in the Mercersburg family to make a bold move of her own.

See photos from the event. 

Join the Movement

The 1,000 Women Challenge continues through International Women’s Day, March 8, 2027, marking a year of purpose-driven giving. With 1,000 women united, this moment becomes more than a campaign—it becomes a movement grounded in the belief that when we give together, we rise together.

Be one of the 1,000. Claim your seat at the table.

For more information about the Women in Focus 1,000 Women Challenge and how to participate, please visit this site, or contact John Richardson, chief advancement officer, at 717-328-6109 or richardsonj@mercersburg.edu.