An Evening of Reflection: St. John’s Welcomes Dr. Helen Fry

St. John’s community came together to host the renowned historian Helen Fry as part of its Speaker Series. Held in the VPAC Theatre, the event brought together students, parents, and members of the wider community to reflect on history not only as a record of the past, but as a force that shapes who we are today.

During the evening, Dr. Fry explored themes from her book The White Lady, offering a compelling account of the courage, resilience, and moral choices of Belgian citizens during the First and Second World Wars. Through vivid storytelling and historical insight, she highlighted why remembering these experiences matters and how understanding our role in history helps us navigate the present with greater awareness and responsibility.

Hosting this conversation in Waterloo added a special layer of meaning, grounding global history in a local and European context. The evening encouraged reflection, dialogue, and connection, with attendees engaging actively during the Q&A session, followed by informal networking and a book signing.

As the evening drew to a close, it left more than knowledge behind. It left a renewed sense of responsibility to remember, to question, and to carry forward the stories that have shaped our world. St. John’s was proud to host an event that brought history to life and created a shared moment of learning and reflection for the entire community.