At the heart of every healthy and happy community, you’ll find ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help others. Driven by a desire to give back, their intention isn’t to seek praise – it’s simply to do some good.

This is the guiding motivation of Gail Hutcheon (59), and it’s an ethos that’s also been instilled in her six children, one of whom, Monay Thomas, (25) has been accepted into Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The family, based in Lewisham, London, previously lived in temporary accommodation for two years whilst on the waiting list for social housing. Now living in an L&Q social-rented home, Gail continues to work in the Early Years team at her local authority where she helps champion the best possible start for all children.

Alongside her work, Gail feels compelled to ‘give back’ where she can, having spent time volunteering as a school governor, at her foodbank, and to help her social landlord improve its resident services. She has instilled this same ethic in her own children.

Growing up, Monay recalls seeing many talented young people become disengaged from education systems that failed to recognise their potential. Those experiences shaped her commitment to justice, opportunity, and leadership development.

In 2025, Monay graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a degree in Law and Anthropology, where her understanding of inequality, social systems, and the power of education to transform lives, deepened.

Over the years, Monay has dedicated herself to designing educational programmes, mentoring young people, and developing initiatives that equip the next generation of emerging leaders to thrive.

Through initiatives in the UK & internationally, she has:
Supported more than 300 students across 10 London state schools
Facilitated learning for over 100 young people across several countries
Mentored more than 60 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
Founded a university society engaging 500+ students in faith dialogue
Trained over 100 leaders through equipping initiatives

In searching for a master’s degree, Monay was looking for the programme that best matched her calling. When she discovered Harvard’s Education Leadership, Organisations, and Entrepreneurship (ELOE) programme, she felt it brought together everything she hoped to learn.

Receiving the Harvard acceptance letter on 6 March 2026 felt surreal for Monay and her family. The moment was filled with excitement, tears, laughter, and plenty of celebration. Her dad proudly told everyone at his local boxing gym, “My daughter just got into Harvard!”.

For Monay, however, the moment represented much more than an offer from a university. It reflected years of perseverance through financial challenges, bereavement, and periods of struggling with her mental health. Reaching this point reminded her that difficult seasons do not have to define the future.

Monay is incredibly excited about this new chapter as she joins the 2026–2027 academic year, though she recognises that moving to abroad for a year is a significant step. Whilst she has travelled internationally before through educational visits and humanitarian projects, relocating overseas to live and study will be a completely new experience.

She knows she will miss her family, friends, church community, and even the small comforts of home – especially a proper cup of British tea! At the same time, she is looking forward to embracing this adventure, building new friendships, becoming part of a local church, exploring the United States, and learning alongside people from around the world.

Monay hopes these relationships, alongside access to world-class mentors and opportunities, will shape her leadership for many years to come. Ultimately, her hope is that what she learns there will equip her to serve communities in the UK with greater wisdom, creativity, and impact.
After completing her master’s degree, Monay hopes to return home to continue working in education, advocacy, humanitarian work, and youth development. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young people who face social, educational, and economic disadvantage, particularly those whose strengths and potential often go unrecognised.

Drawing on what she learns at Harvard, Monay hopes to design educational programmes, lead community initiatives, and work alongside schools, charities, and other organisations to create environments where young people can develop confidence, identity, belonging, and a sense of purpose.
Above all, Monay wants to invest in the next generation, helping young people become courageous, compassionate, and principled leaders who positively influence their communities. She sees education not simply as a pathway to employment, but as a means of restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and enabling people to flourish.

Monay said: “More than anything, I hope this journey is about more than one person going to Harvard. I hope it reminds people of the power of investing in others and creating opportunities that can change the course of someone’s life. I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity and recognise that I would not be here without the support of my family, friends, mentors, teachers, church community, and everyone who has encouraged me along the way. Most importantly, my faith has been pivotal in getting me here.

“Harvard is an incredible privilege, but I don’t see it as the destination, I see it as preparation. My hope is that everything I learn will help me return and create spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and equipped to flourish. I want to use education, leadership, and service to help create opportunities for communities who may not always have access to the support, encouragement, or opportunities they deserve. If my journey encourages even one young person to believe that their background does not determine their future, then I will be incredibly thankful.”

Speaking about her daughter’s achievements, Gail said: “As a family, we are incredibly proud of Monay and all that she has achieved. Watching her receive an offer from Harvard was an emotional moment because we have seen the determination, resilience, and faith that have brought her to this point. We have also witnessed the challenges she has faced along the way, making this opportunity even more meaningful.”