Anna Holemans ’18

“Friends Select is an incredibly special place that nurtured my passion for social activism, and I carry the Quaker values instilled in me as a student into adulthood. Because of FSS, I know the power in my voice and how I can use it to help others,” shared Anna Holemans ’18. “I would not be who I am today without Friends Select.” 

On January 19, 2017, hundreds of people peacefully marched from City Hall, down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, to a rally at Eakins Oval featuring local leaders, educators, politicians, and activists—all because of Anna, a then Friend Select junior.

With planning initiated over a year before the event, Anna organized the march to raise awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the proposed amendment that would guarantee equal rights for women. A social activist and feminist from a young age, Anna was inspired to recreate the 1913 suffrage parade led by women’s rights activist Alice Paul—she even named the march Alice’s March for Equality. 

After graduation from Friends Select, Anna attended Wellesley College, where she majored in English and political science. Now she is still using her voice to activate positive change. Anna currently works on political campaigns for the Democratic party, including All In PA, the Pennsylvania Coordinated Campaign, Rebecca Rhynhart’s run for Philadelphia mayor, and most recently, New Jersey's 8th Legislative District race for the state assembly. 

Through the Quaker values she has carried with her from her years at Friends Select, Anna is making a difference in her community. So many of our community members make meaningful contributions to the world around them because of their experience at FSS.