Dorothy Russo Moulthrop, PhD '91: Opening Doors To Advocacy Leadership

When Dorothy Russo Moulthrop graduated from Beaumont School in 1991, she didn’t fully understand the depth of the education she had received, nor did she fully appreciate the feminist streak that runs deep in the Ursuline tradition. She also took for granted the racial diversity of the student body and did not realize that most schools are more racially segregated than Beaumont School. Reflecting on her time at Beaumont, she says, “Feminism and Catholicism aren’t words often associated with each other, but at Beaumont School, I learned women should, and could be, just as influential and powerful as men.”

Beaumont was where she first learned about influential figures such as Oscar Romero and Sr. Dorothy Kazel, as well as the concepts of liberation theology and servant leadership. These lessons became the bedrock of her commitment to serving the underserved and advocating for women in leadership. Dorothy adds, “My commitment to serving the underserved, to leading by example, to actuating the power of diversity, and to advocating for women in leadership were formed in the halls of Beaumont School.”

Today, Dorothy leads Open Doors Academy (ODA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing afterschool, summer, travel, and family programs to thousands of scholars in Northeast and Northwest Ohio. Many of these scholars come from impoverished backgrounds, and ODA fills critical gaps in their education by offering tutoring, mentorship, and opportunities they might not otherwise have. “I believe that everyone deserves access to a high-quality education like the one I received at Beaumont,” Dorothy explains. “Educational attainment remains one of the most reliable paths to financial stability for families and communities.”

INSPIRATION AND ADVOCACY Dorothy’s inspiration to pursue advocacy work stems from a desire to make the world a better place. One of her earliest memories of feeling this calling was reading about St. Francis of Assisi in the Lives of the Saints book given to her by her aunt, Dorothy Ferrara ’60 (deceased). “I was fascinated by Giotto’s frescoes depicting St. Francis shedding his worldly goods to do good in the world. I wanted to be like St. Francis,” she recalls. This calling is echoed in the lives of many people who inspire her, including her mom, her husband, St. Angela Merici, and poet laureate Amanda Gorman. “I find inspiration in Gorman’s poem, ‘The Hill We Climb,’ especially the lines, ‘Because being American is more than a pride we inherit – it’s the past we step into and how we repair it.’ These feelings can and do coexist, and together we can repair it for a brighter future for all.”

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT For Dorothy, the most rewarding aspect of her work is witnessing the positive impact Open Doors Academy has on its scholars. She recalls a visit to the afterschool program at Firelands Middle School, where a legislator, who had helped secure state funds for the program, was evaluating its success. After the visit, he asked the scholars what they liked about ODA. One boy pointed to a car outside and shared, “Before ODA, I was sitting in that car for a couple of hours waiting for my aunt to get off work to take me home.” Dorothy reflects, “No child should have to sit in a cold car alone from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. while their aunt finishes work. Because of ODA, he no longer does.”

The biggest challenge Dorothy faces is dismantling the systemic barriers designed to hold certain populations back. She emphasizes the need for education about the country’s history, including the practice of redlining and its lasting effects on communities. “We cannot shy away from our past. Understanding it and repairing the damage, ‘turning the light of truth upon it’ as Ida B. Wells says, is the way forward,” she asserts. By addressing these issues, she believes we can foster a community where all families have access to basic needs and opportunities.