St. Ignatius School is proud to announce the creation of The Charles Lawrence Keith & Clara Miller Foundation Award for two eighth-grade graduates who exhibit exceptional leadership skills in service for others and are identified as exceptional ambassadors for the SIS Graduate Support Program. The announcement was made in collaboration with the Charles Lawrence Keith & Clara Miller Foundation, with Brian O’Dwyer, the Foundation’s President, in attendance.
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, SIS welcomed Mr. O’Dwyer, no stranger to Jesuit education as an alumnus of Georgetown Law. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. O’Dwyer remarked in both English and Spanish, “Your future is very bright, thanks to St. Ignatius School! The Foundation has found SIS to be particularly impressive in terms of knowing what your future will be like because you attended this school. We are truly delighted to be part of this community, and part of your future.”
The Foundation was named after Charles Keith who was known to actively fight against tyranny, ignorance, poverty and oppression, and for democracy and social justice. He fought against fascism in Spain as part of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and against anti-democratic unionists on the docks of New York. After moving back to New York City initially as a house painter in Greenwich Village, Charlie saved enough money to purchase a run-down building, renovated it, and began to buy other rental properties throughout the city. He firmly believed in education and supported it financially, stating that “a good education expands the horizons of the individual and the community.” He supported the Women’s Bank of NY and personally bankrolled a neighborhood theater. His legacy continues through the Foundation that bears his name, supporting food kitchens and pantries, arts-in-education programs, social justice and human rights organizations, education, scholarship and foster care programs.
Rich Darrell, SIS Head of School, expressed gratitude towards the Foundation. He said, “We are grateful to the Charles Lawrence Keith & Clara Miller Foundation for their commitment to activism, social justice, and educational opportunities. Charlie Keith’s impressive history of activism throughout the 20th century serves as an example of service to our students and the entire community.”
The award’s first recipients will be announced during the 2024 SIS Graduation Ceremonies, which will take place on June 12, 2024. St. Ignatius School is proud to partner with the Charles Lawrence Keith & Clara Miller Foundation in recognizing and supporting generations of SIS students and alums who will positively impact their communities.
Source: CHARLES LAWRENCE KEITH & CLARA MILLER FOUNDATION HISTORY; The Charles Lawrence Keith and Clara Miller Foundation, 2024.
