Donna Hicks, PhD is an associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard and one of, if not the, leading expert on dignity in the world. She has worked with people like Nelson Mandela and many others in high conflict regions around the world facilitating conflict resolution that is dignity based. Donna came to La Jolla Country Day school two years ago to speak on dignity and asked the kids to write down their definitions of dignity. Shannon’s definition of dignity was so inspiring to Donna that she actually chose to quote her directly in her newest book, “Leading with Dignity: How to create a culture that brings out the best in people”, which was just released.
Shannon’s foundation is about just that, bringing out the best in children with physical disabilities by providing them with scholarships to college prep schools so that they can be their best selves. Shannon is quoted on page 66 of Donna’s book. Sixth grader Shannon White says “In my opinion, dignity is the closest thing one has to being of nobility even if they aren’t royal. It’s what makes us stand tall even when our greatest desire is to fall.”