Homecoming & Reunions
2018 Cornelian Award Winner
Jeanette Acosta ’04 was the “the epitome of Cornelia Connelly,” an activist, lawyer, change-maker, a warrior for those in need, said Abeni Carr ’02, who nominated her in September 2017. At Mayfield, Jeanette served as Class President and ASB Vice President. At USC she interned for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and received a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellowship in the office of Congressman Xavier Becerra. Jeanette graduated cum laude as a Presidential Scholar with a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from USC. She also received USC’s prestigious Laurel and Palm award for leadership, scholarship and service.
2018 Saturday, April 21
We kicked off this annual celebration of Mayfield sisterhood with a late-afternoon Mass in the Connelly Chapel in Strub Hall, followed by the presentation of the Cornelian Award for Alumna of the Year. The “Actions Not Words” contributions of this year’s two co-recipients— both Harvard grads and dedicated public servants—span generations of our alumnae (and women’s!) history. The Hon. Margaret Morrow ’68 is a trailblazer in the legal profession and Jeanette Acosta ’04†, who we lost to cervical cancer just months before the awards ceremony, was honored posthumously for her work as a social justice and civil rights warrior.
Jeanette Acosta ’04 †
Jeanette launched her public service career as an Ameri-Corps VISTA-César Chávez Fellow where she founded the Sí, Se Puede! Learning Center for Mexican immigrant children in Hollister, Calif. As a Fulbright Scholar, Jeanette researched how to improve education policy in Zacatecas, Mexico. She earned her Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2012. She served as Latino Vote Director with President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign in Iowa and then as the United Farm Workers Foundation Immigration Reform Campaign Director in Washington, D.C. Jeanette earned her J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law and became a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
After Mass, alumnae caught up with their classmates and former teachers over twilight cocktails on the Pergola Lawn and took “golden hour” class photos before sitting down to dinner served by Cynthia Trepanier Porter ’79 and her company, Cynthia Brooks Distinctive Catering. If you graduated in years ending in 4 or 9, we’ll see you on campus next year—contact Nicole Cosand, Director of Annual Giving and Alumnae Relations at nicole.cosand@mayfieldsenior.org to get involved in planning your reunion!
Jeanette’s parents, Frank and Maryann, her boyfriend Chris and her brother Robert were on hand to accept the award on her behalf.
Margaret (holding Cornelian Award plaque) surrounded by friends and Head of School Kate Morin
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POSTSCRIPTS 2018
In December 2016, Jeanette was diagnosed with Stage 4A cervical cancer, which she fought with courage. After a life dedicated to social justice, civil rights and educational equity, Jeanette died in December 2017. Her family accepted this posthumous award at homecoming Mass.
