What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. III

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we asked a group of leading Pittsburghers to consider and answer that question. We thank them for giving their thoughts on this important occasion.

Previously in this series: What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. II

MARY FINGER, PRESIDENT, SETON HILL UNIVERSITY Seton Hill University’s namesake — Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton — was born as the colonies were on the brink of revolution, so the birth of our nation has always been tied to the birth of this remarkable woman who founded the Catholic school system in the United States and the Sisters of Charity, the women religious who later would establish Seton Hill. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, our campus is pleased to be a historical partner and host of America’s Tapestry, a project that features 13 hand-embroidered panels, one for each of the original colonies, that illustrate stories of individual contributions — many of them from women — to the struggle for independence.

ASHOK TRIVEDI, ENTREPRENEUR & PHILANTHROPIST More than anything, America offers the opportunity to create something meaningful — for yourself, for others, and for the future. As an immigrant from India, I was able to start two tech companies, including iGate. Now, in my philanthropy, I see two fields as foundations of our future: The liberal arts help us understand the world, and biological sciences will be the most innovative sciences of the 21st century. The American Dream, built on vision and hard work, will improve life for all.

BILL STRICKLAND, FOUNDER, MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION America is a great source of hope, and I believe my life is a reflection of that conviction.

ANNABELLE WATSON, 10TH GRADER, SETON LASALLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL America means a place where you can love and be loved. I feel the most pride in my country in moments filled with that love. I’ve attended the March for Life twice, and each time the joy of people coming together to support unborn children is powerful. On the Fourth of July, my family celebrates not only our country’s birthday, but also my brother’s and grandfather’s birthdays. Sitting together, laughing over candles and fireworks, I see that same love reflected in their eyes — reminding me how beautiful our country can be.

KEN GORMLEY, PRESIDENT, DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY When I look at the span of American history, what strikes me is a powerful story of endurance, despite staggering challenges and setbacks. Our nation was founded upon a vision of opportunity, compassion toward neighbors from different lands, and freedom to live unjudged by religion or status. We fought the Civil War to add equality to our Constitution. We sacrificed blood and won world wars — with Pittsburgh’s mills as an engine — to safeguard our freedoms. Artificial intelligence, energy and technology may define our emerging economy. But as we commemorate our 250th anniversary, America is more about standing for its original foundational vision than ever before.

BART GRIFFITH, PRESIDENT, SHADY SIDE ACADEMY To be American is to expect others to challenge your ideas. From the beginning, our democracy has been shaped by arguments. Thereby, the Republic implicitly asks something of all of us: the courage to speak and the discipline to listen. Through this exchange, we sharpen and reexamine our collective beliefs, just as many of our assumptions fall away, making room for understanding and growth. In America you can become more, even though you might pursue it along contrasting paths and with your own vision encountered, often vigorously, by differing views. In that shared striving, the country and its citizens are made and remade.

KHARA TIMSINA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BHUTANESE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF PITTSBURGH On behalf of the entire former Bhutanese refugees and now Bhutanese Americans in the U.S., I would like to extend our gratitude to this nation for giving us an opportunity to build a new life. As we celebrate 250 years of our nation’s founding, I do so with a profound sense of responsibility — as both a nonprofit leader and a new American who has found hope, opportunity and belonging in this country. On this historic occasion, I invite newcomers and long-standing residents alike to stand together in building a more inclusive, welcoming, and equitable nation. Happy 250th anniversary to the United States.

JOLIN JIN, 10TH GRADER, NORTH ALLEGHENY INTERMEDIATE HIGH SCHOOL I grew up speaking Mandarin, and we refer to America as “mei guo,” meaning “beautiful country.” And to me, that is exactly what America is: a beautiful country. It is a country where everyone is granted life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; where individuals are free to fully embrace their identity; and where, like my parents, people move to fulfill their dreams. America means hope for a better future.

CHRIS ALLISON, EDUCATOR, AUTHOR & FORMER CEO To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in Pittsburgh, I would erect a statue of a mixed-race nurse standing strong and steady, her gaze forward, embodying compassion, resilience, and stoic endurance. Pittsburgh is a city forged by immigrants. We are home to steelworkers, laborers, and dreamers from every corner of the world. Pittsburgh’s legacy lives on in its people. Guided by a stoic resolve, she would reflect discipline, duty, and calm under pressure. Today, we are a renowned healthcare hub serving diverse communities with skill and humanity. The nurse would symbolize both histories: strength, care, unity, service, and America’s enduring promise.