Mount St. Dominic Alumna’s Talk Inspires Social Justice Concentration

Mount alumna Emilie Stewart ‘10 returned to speak with students in Mount St. Dominic Academy’s Social Justice Concentration about advocacy, leadership, and finding purpose through service and unexpected opportunities. Now a Manager of Policy Advocacy for the Newark Opportunity Youth Network, Emilie shared her journey from being a quiet high school student at the Mount to becoming a teacher, mentor, and advocate for youth across multiple states.

Emilie began her talk by inviting students to reflect on a Toni Morrison quote about using your power to empower others, a central theme of her talk. She emphasized that education and career success should not be a “grab bag candy game”—instead, they should be used as tools to uplift others.
Drawing from her own experiences at the Mount, she recalled formative moments such as Social Justice Day, the Midnight Run, and being a member of peer leadership, all of which sparked her passion for equity and advocacy. These experiences taught her the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone, saying yes to unexpected opportunities, and learning from mentors.

She shared how she originally planned to become a doctor but shifted her path after working with incarcerated youth in upstate New York. That transformative experience led her to Teach for America and, ultimately, to a career in policy and advocacy. She worked with youth in Baltimore, in the Rhode Island governor’s office, and later with advocacy groups in New Jersey, where she helped pass two significant state laws focused on disconnected youth.

In her current role, Emilie supports young people who face barriers to education and employment. She guides them in advocacy campaigns, helps them testify before legislators, and ensures their voices are central to shaping policy. Her work is rooted in amplifying youth perspectives, building coalitions, and ensuring that policies are not only passed—but meaningfully implemented.

Emilie’s Key Advice to Students:

• Say yes to opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone—they may shape your future in unexpected ways.
• Seek mentorship and learn from those with more experience; don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for guidance.
• Use your power and privilege to empower others—true leadership is about uplifting those around you.
• Be authentic and build trust.
• Practice resilience—advocacy and change take time and persistence.
• Develop interpersonal skills—listening and building relationships are just as important as knowledge and credentials.
• Lower barriers to access in your work so more people can participate.
• Understand the issue before taking action; listen to the voices of those directly impacted.

Emilie left students with a powerful message: “You may not realize it now, but one small experience could lead you exactly where you're meant to be.”

The Social Justice Concentration at Mount St. Dominic Academy prepares students for service-focused careers through a mix of academic study, volunteer work, and experiential learning. Students engage in hands-on opportunities such as hosting speakers, attending conferences, and visiting organizations. Highlights include participating in International Day of the Girl at the United Nations, and a global women’s forum where students recently shared a co-authored letter on girl empowerment.

Founded in 1892, Mount St. Dominic Academy is an independent Catholic, college preparatory school for young women. The Mount offers signature programs like L.E.O. Entrepreneurship, Health Sciences and Social Justice Concentrations, and the Directed Research Capstone in partnership with Harvard University, along with expanded STEAM, Dual Enrollment with Seton Hall, and leadership program opportunities. MSDA has earned national and regional honors, including “Gold with Access” on the 2024 College Board AP School Honor Roll, as well as the 2023 College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Awards for exceptional female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA), and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). MSDA also earned Gold Medals in the 2023 and 2024 “Best of Essex” contests in the “Best Private High School” category. Additionally, the Mount achieved an A+ rating on Niche’s 2024 Best Schools list, a distinction awarded to only 2.5% of schools nationwide. One hundred percent of Mount graduates are accepted to four-year colleges, with the Class of 2024 earning over $13 million in scholarships.

Rolling Admissions for the Class of 2029 is open. Private Family tours and “Mountie for a Day” visits are available to current 8th graders and transfer students in Grades 9-11. Registration is underway for the S.H.E. (Strength, Hope, Empowerment) Girls Leadership Camp (June 24-26, 2025). Visit the Mount for more information at msdacademy.org.