Legacy of Inclusion

In 2016, Ms. Hodges, also fabulously referred to as “Dutch,” alongside her brothers Arthur Dutcher ’69 and David Dutcher, created the Douglas Vogt Dutcher ’80 Fund for Equity & Justice. The endowment was created to support inclusive programming and help students develop cultural competency. Dutch and her siblings endeavor to use the fund to support RE’s continued efforts in ensuring all students feel a sense of belonging to and inclusion in the RE community. They strive to be particularly attentive to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students, their families and allies. 

Douglas Vogt Dutcher ’80, Dutch’s baby brother and former RE student in whose honor the endowment was created, was the youngest of the five Dutcher children. Doug, as she fondly refers to him, was openly gay during a time sexual identity was simply not discussed, according to Dutch. Yet, she has fond memories of how loved and accepted Doug felt during his time at RE. When asked to elaborate further, she recalled there were other gay RE students who went to school with Doug that often struggled with their identity. As she phrased it, students were frustrated “trying to be one kind of person when you are a different kind of person inside.”

Truth is, there are many LGBTQ students in schools nationwide who feel exactly how those RE students felt in 1980. Part of my responsibility as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant to Ransom Everglades is to work with Director of Inclusion and Community Engagement Wendell Graham ’74 to ensure that all students at RE, regardless of their strengths or identities, feel they are a part of the school community and included in the feeling of belonging among other students, teachers and staff. 

Research has shown that LGBTQ youth are bullied and feel socially isolated at higher rates than non-LGBTQ students, which can negatively impact academic achievement and identity-development.

Dutch believes the equity and justice fund can help RE students avoid these traumatic experiences by supporting special programming that allows LGBTQ youth to feel seen and included in school culture. The justice and equity fund has supported upper school campus visits by Jessica Lam from Safe Schools South Florida, who addressed topics including respect, dignity, affirmation and creating an inclusive learning environment, and State Senator Shevrin D. Jones, the first openly gay Florida senator who shared his personal journey and experiences in state politics. The fund also supported the performance of Michael Fosberg’s autobiographical one-man play “Incognito,” which was performed for upper school students, and it has helped students and professional community members attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference, which are held annually by the National Association of Independent Schools. 

When I asked how RE could best honor Doug’s life, Dutch noted the significance of continued programming and intentionality when it comes to outreach and inclusion. “We need to reinforce the idea that inclusivity includes all. As a community of scholars, [RE] kids should give credence to all views, which means all voices must be present and invited to speak.” She added, “The kids at RE are so talented already. It is about outreach, going out to the community to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.”

Her explanation was easily understood, yet equally meaningful. Dutch’s vision for the endowment aligns not only with RE’s current core values of inclusion and service; but what is more profound is her vision derives from what was instilled in her while a student at Everglades School for Girls. When I asked her to tell me about her experience at Everglades School for Girls, she emphatically said, “It was a haven!” Her memories at what was today’s middle school campus, a campus that then extended from Tigertail Avenue all the way to Biscayne Bay, are of playing field hockey, strict headmistresses and entrenched feelings of being nurtured and deeply cared for. Some 60 years later, these same feelings are what Dutch hopes the endowment can ensure. 

With the Douglas Vogt Dutcher ’80 Fund for Equity & Justice, Dutch secures her legacy as an ally of those who are historically “othered” by making a positive impact on how RE’s school culture includes and celebrates these voices.

“The hard work is building the culture and sense of belonging needed to support those who are being invited in,” Dutch said. “Inclusion won’t work without it.”  

Undoubtedly, Dutch has captured the essence of this vital work. The Office of Inclusion and  Community Engagement is proud to work with the Dutcher family to create the type of programming and service opportunities that enhance our school culture.