Mills Quarterly winter 2008

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Mills Quarterly Winter/Spring 2008 Alumnae Magazine

Celebrating Science

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Mills Quarterly

contents

Winter/Spring* 2008 10 Women move into science leadership by Cristine Russell ’71 More than a decade has passed since Mills College convened the 1994 Women in Science Summit. Journalist Cristine Russell examines women’s progress towards leadership in the sciences and the persistent obstacles that hinder true equality.

12 It’s so easy being green Take a look! The new Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building is a bold and beautiful statement of sustainable design—and it’s a great place to learn, too.

15 Opening doors and minds by Shirley M. Tilghman How can the ways we educate women contribute to their success in science? And what are the keys to ensuring their continued achievement in industry and academia?

20 Foreign correspondence by Linda Schmidt Fulbright scholars studying in three countries share their cultural and academic adventures.

22 Alumnae awards recognize strong, proud women Service to the world and to the College distinguish the first recipients of AAMC alumnae awards. Plus: Dunham dancers honored.

24 Elect your Alumna Trustee Three accomplished grads vie to represent the voice of alumnae on the College Board of Trustees and the AAMC Board of Governors.

40 Divine inspiration by Linda Schmidt The Chapel is a sanctuary for people of every spiritual persuasion, thanks to the dream of Chaplain George Hedley and vision of architect Warren Callister.

Departments 2

Letters to the Editor

3

Leadership Perspectives

4

Mills Matters

6

Calendar

26 Bookshelf 27 Class Notes 36 In Memoriam

on the cover: The dedication of the Natural Sciences Building in October is a major step forward in Mills’ initiative to prepare women for success in the sciences, where they traditionally have been underrepresented. Photo by Philip Channing. *The next issue of the Mills Quarterly will be published in late spring, followed by issues in summer and fall. winter/spring 2008

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Letters to the Editor

Volume XCVI Number 3 (USPS 349-900) Winter/Spring 2008

H o w e x t r e m e ly u s e f u l that the

and interesting as her and Helen. They

author of “Bright Ideas” (Fall 2007)

were a phenomenal couple—intellectual,

pointed out that Darius Milhaud was a

brave, affectionate, and honorable.

French-Jewish composer. Is that differ-

When Jinx wrote to tell me that she

ent from a regular composer? Now I’m

was dying, I was heartbroken by the

dying to know Molissa Fenley’s reli-

news and amazed by her graciousness in

gious affiliation, Roscoe Mitchell’s, and

telling me, while she still had the energy,

President Holmgren’s—unless, of course,

that she loved me and valued our long

Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement Ramon S. Torrecilha

they’re just regular people. If you want

friendship. I will never stop missing her,

to say that Milhaud was one of the many

but, from where I sit, I can plainly see

Jewish artists and intellectuals who

the titles of her brilliant novels, short

Vice President for Development Virginia V. Rivera

escaped to the U.S. from the Holocaust in

stories, and essays.

Director of Development and Alumnae Communications Dawn Cunningham ’85

if all you’re doing is mentioning names

Interim Managing Editor Linda Schmidt

those “Gee whiz, it’s a wooman!” gasps.

President Janet L. Holmgren

Design and Art Direction Nancy Siller Wilson Contributing Writers Jessica Hilberman ’03 Cristine Russell ’71 Pamela Wilson

Europe, then say so. On the other hand, without going into their backgrounds,

The Mills Quarterly (USPS 349-900) is published quarterly by Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, California, and at additional mailing office(s). Postmaster: Send address changes to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

See more on Jane Rule, page 38.

why zero in on Milhaud? Reminds me of —Louise Levis Weiss ’52 New York, NY

I e n jo y e d t h e “new” Quarterly. Please do not lose the personal quality of the old magazine. It is inspiring to read about Mills women’s experiences.

—Marion King ’54 Spring Hill, NJ

Research Assistance Amber Williams ’10 Special Thanks To Micheline A. Beam ’72 Anita Aragon Bowers ’63 Jane Cudlip King ’42

Ann McKinstry Micou ’52 South Newfane, VT

D r . B l o c h ’s d e s c r i p t i o n of the attitudes at Mills in 1956–60 are dead on (“The times they are a-changin’, ” Spring 2007). My overwhelming memory of Mills is the horrendous motto: “Remember who you are and what you represent.” What Mills represented—and we were supposed to—was the epitome of East Coast rationalism, good manners, graciousness. Any kind of ethnic

I a m w r i t i n g t o c e l e b r a t e the life

identity, including religious identity, was

of Jane Vance Rule—my lifelong friend,

more than suspect.

Jinx. In 1949, as a fellow English major,

One way of looking at this was that we

I admired her intellect and forceful pres-

were all in training to become WASPs—

ence in the department. In our senior

that goes for Jews, Blacks, Catholics—or to

year, we shared a porch on the top floor

“pass” as WASPs. This was not perceived

of Olney Hall. One of our first acts was

as a negative; it had to do with making

to initiate a reading-aloud period in that

one’s self acceptable to the mainstream.

sterile gap at the end of the afternoon.

I believe that every minority student at

We parted after graduation. I went to

teach

at

Concord

Academy

in

Mills got this disconnect and most came to Mills deliberately because of it.

Massachusetts, where Helen Sonthoff

Mills did—and still does—serve a won-

became my wise mentor and best friend.

derful purpose in enabling women to

Copyright © 2008, Mills College.

When, after two years, I went to Europe, I

gain education apart from an environ-

Address correspondence to the Mills Quarterly, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Letters to the editor may be edited for clarity or length.

suggested that Jinx apply for my job. She

ment where they would be invisible. I

and Helen fell in love and spent 42 pas-

think I might like being part of the “new

sionately committed years together. We

Mills” a lot better than the old one.

Email: quarterly@mills.edu Phone: 510.430.3312

ideas and sharing activities. Jinx’s liter-

Printed on recycled paper containing 30 percent post-consumer waste.

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M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

were constantly in touch, exchanging ary output was extraordinary; her wonderful characters are as compassionate

—Marilyn Gaines Justman ‘60 Evanston, IL

Leadership Perspectives

A Message from Mills College President Janet L. Holmgren When I presented my State of the College address to 180 alumnae gathered in Lisser Hall during Reunion weekend in October, I was thrilled to report that Mills remains an outstanding campus academically, culturally, and environmentally. In my 16 years as President, I have never seen a time when our students, faculty, and staff were more intellectually and creatively engaged, or when we had a greater sense of being part of a dynamic, world-changing community.

The College’s many accomplishments are a source of pride for all alumnae, from every class year, profession, and geographic location. Let me share with you some highlights from October’s address, as well as some new milestones that have occurred in the months since Reunion.

First, our student body of 1,454 is the largest in Mills history, and the nearly 600 students living on campus, including those residing at the new Danforth, Springs, and Stephenson houses on Prospect Hill, make our community particularly Peg Skorpinski

lively. Nearly half of our 948 undergraduates are students of color or multiethnic. As we embrace our diversity in day-today interactions, we have the opportunity to model the kind of multicultural community that other institutions dream of becoming.

Mills continues to attract those who excel academically—the high-school grade-point average of our first-year students was 3.61. The College also continues to support our students financially at a level that rivals the nation’s best-endowed colleges.

This fall Mills awarded an average aid package of just over $31,000 to 90 percent of entering undergraduates. In comparison, Princeton University (on whose board of trustees I sit) also provided an average award of $31,000—but that award met the full need, without loans, of all entering students who applied for aid (55 percent of the class).

Mills’ entering class of 2008 promises more of the same: the campus has received a record number of applications for the coming fall semester. Yet as our enrollment increases, Mills is maintaining the highly interactive, rigorous liberal arts experience that is our hallmark. Eighty percent of our classes have 20 students or less, so that each student receives focused attention both in and out of the classroom.

The campus itself is growing, too. In addition to the three new residence halls mentioned earlier, we’re breaking ground on April 10 for a building to house our expanding Graduate

And the good news on College facilities just keeps coming: In the time since my October address, the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded platinum certification to the new Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building—making it the first building in Oakland to earn the highest rating in environmental design and construction. We’re extremely pleased with this visible statement of our commitment to ecologically responsible living and even more proud of the ways this building furthers the goal of preparing women for success in scientific fields in which they traditionally have been underrepresented.

“When you have reached that level, everyone knows you’re at the top,” Betty Moore said of the platinum rating. Betty is an alumna of Mills summer programs in 1945 and 1946; with her husband, Gordon, she is making a $4 million gift that puts us in the home stretch of our fundraising drive for the building.

“We want to support the best in the world. That’s why we chose Mills,” she explained.

I think there are thousands of Mills alumnae and friends who would agree with that sentiment. I know I do.

School of Business. I am delighted to invite all alumnae and

Sincerely,

friends to join us for this exciting event; details are listed on

Janet L. Holmgren

the back cover of this magazine.

President winter/spring 2008

3

Mills Matters President Holmgren receives CEO Leadership Award

Kudos for community service Mills College has been awarded an honor from the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary public service to disadvantaged youth. Mills is one of only 18 schools in California to earn the designation.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said, “Americans rely on our higher education system to prepare students for citizenship and the workforce. We look to institutions like Mills College to shape the civic, democratic, and economic future of our country.”

President Holmgren accepts the CASE CEO Leadership Award from CASE International President John Lippincott and District VII Chair Joanne Clark, associate vice chancellor at the University of Hawaii.

In recognition of outstand-

color to 25 percent (up from

at the Carnegie Foundation

ing contributions to the

three percent in 1991).” The

for the Advancement of

Mills community and

Council also noted her suc-

Teaching, was one of the

to higher education, the

cess in growing the College’s

educators who nominated

Council for Advancement

endowment from $70 mil-

President Holmgren for

and Support of Education

lion to $230 million and

the award, describing her

(CASE) presented President

her service on the boards

as “one of the country’s

Janet L. Holmgren with

of the National Council for

most accomplished college

the 2007 Chief Executive

Research on Women, the

presidents.” He said she has

Officer Leadership Award for

Carnegie Foundation for the

“shaped Mills as a preemi-

District VII at the district’s

Advancement of Teaching,

nent 21st-century liberal arts

annual conference in Las

and Princeton University.

educational institution with

Vegas on December 4.

Headquartered in

an unwavering commitment

Washington, D.C., CASE is

to advancing women and

Holmgren for her accom-

the association for alumni

underrepresented popula-

plishments since her

relations, communications,

tions.”

appointment as President

and development profession-

in 1991: “Under her leader-

als in colleges, universities,

a gold Award of Excellence

ship, Mills has undertaken

and independent schools

for its undergraduate stu-

major diversity initiatives

worldwide. District VII

dent recruitment publica-

enhancing the curricu-

includes Arizona, California,

tions, which this year have

lum, recruiting students of

Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and

helped the College attract its

color to comprise over one

Utah.

largest-ever applicant pool

CASE commended

third of the student body, and increasing faculty of 4

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Thomas Ehrlich, a Mills Trustee and senior scholar

Mills College also received

for fall admission.

The award honors the 533 students who logged almost 28,000 hours of community service last year. Several campus programs were highlighted by the award, including one that pairs teen mothers with others who had kids as teens and reached success in higher education, a project where graduate students in English teach creative writing in local communities, and the Institute for Civic Leadership’s service learning program. The volunteer efforts of student– athletes also contributed to the College’s achievement, such as Athletics Department programs that placed volunteer coaches in urban afterschool sports programs, renovated three Oakland middle public schools, and hosted the annual Swim-A-Mile fundraiser.

Mills student–athletes were further honored with the 2007 Jostens/National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators Community Service Award.

This is the fourth consecutive year in which Mills has received the award.

Changing the world, one woman at a time One person can indeed

ate about creating possi-

make a difference in the

bilities for our world.” Upon

world. For proof positive,

completion of her bachelor’s

just look at Lateefah Simon,

degree, she plans to continue

a 30-year-old public policy

on to Mills’ Master in Public

major who has transformed

Policy Program in order to

not only her own life but

gain the knowledge she will

also—through her work

need to transform welfare

with the Center for Young

and federal housing policy

Women’s Development in

and to address problems of

San Francisco—the lives of

drug abuse through criminal

thousands of women who

justice reform.

cerated.

This work has earned

Simon has traveled a long and challenging path to get where she is today. She

Simon a Jefferson Award for

grew up in San Francisco’s

Public Service, presented

Western Addition and

in October by local media

worked at Taco Bell to help

partners working with

her single mother make

the American Institute for

ends meet. She struggled

Public Service, a national

academically in high school

foundation that honors and

and had some minor scrapes

encourages individuals for

with the law. Her inner drive

their contributions through

and resiliency came to the

community service.

fore, however, at the age of

The Jefferson Award joins a long list of previous honors

17, when she started working with the Center for Young

on Simon’s CV. The State

Women’s Development edu-

Assembly recognized her

cating young women on pre-

as a California Woman of

venting sexually transmitted

the Year in 2005, and she

diseases and reaching out to

has received a Women of

prostitutes, drug dealers, and

Purpose Award from the

the homeless.

Women’s Foundation of

Stephan Babuljak

had been homeless or incar-

“People I knew very

California and an Intrepid

closely were on crack and

Award from the National

had AIDS, and these things

Organization for Women.

really affected me,” Simon

single mother, Simon was

to her 11-year-old daughter

In 2003, she accepted

told the public television

named executive director

and working full-time with

a $500,000 MacArthur

series Independent Lens. “The

of the organization. Her

Harris, who has been an

Fellowship—known as the

Center understands that

on-the-job training devel-

inspiring mentor to her, in

“genius” grant—which she

rehabilitation and trans-

oped her remarkable skills

shaping reentry programs for

used to support the Center

formation take a lifetime,”

in administration, leader-

young adult drug offenders.

and to pursue her long-

she continued, “especially

ship, and management. By

standing dream of enrolling

for children who have

2005, when Simon moved on

the Jefferson Award for

at Mills College.

experienced an exorbitant

to work with San Francisco

Public Service, and while it’s

amount of trauma. You have

District Attorney Kamala

very gratifying to receive

return to school, Simon was

to look at it as a journey.”

Harris, the Center had a

this recognition, I know I

courted by several big-name

The Center provides practi-

$600,000 annual budget

have a lot of learning to do,”

institutions but chose Mills

cal resources and a sense

and had trained and hired

said Simon. “When I leave

because “Mills is magic. I am

of community that enables

nearly 200 girls and young

Mills, I will have the skills

surrounded here by women

more than 90 percent of its

women to run its programs.

I need to really change the

who are driven and passion-

clients to go on to college or

Today Simon balances her

world.”

employment.

studies at Mills with the

When she decided to

In 1997, as a 19-year-old

demands of being a mother

“I am honored to receive

winter/spring 2008

5

Calendar

New scholarships support undergrads Two new undergraduate scholarships are helping support three students this year. The Dr. Laura Nathan Endowed

For more news of events open to Mills alumnae and friends, visit www.mills.edu. To receive @mills, a monthly enewsletter with an extensive event listing, send your email address to alumnae-relations@mills.edu or call 510.430.2123.

Scholarship Fund for Social Justice and Community Service

 X Sound Festival

Emerita of Sociology Laura Nathan and Joan Henry, former

Friday, April 4, 8:00 pm, Lisser Hall A festival of new works by Mills undergraduate senior composers. Call 510.430.2296 for details.

based scholarship in Dr. Nathan’s

and the Joan Henry Endowed Scholarship Fund for Early Childhood Education were established at the end of 2006 with funds from an anonymous donor in honor of Professor Children’s School director.

The first recipients of the meritname are women who hope to pur-

Charming Cottages of Palo Alto

sue work in social justice and have

Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Palo Alto For information about purchasing tickets for this five-house tour organized by the Palo Alto Area Mills College Club, contact 510.430.3363 or alumnae-relations@mills.edu.

a history of commitment to community service and social justice work. Lynnette Arnold, a 26-yearold women’s studies major, is a

 Contemporary Writers Series: Peter Orner

co-founder of the Women’s Open-

Tuesday, April 8, 5:30 pm, Mills Hall Living Room Set in Namibia, Orner’s debut novel, The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo, won the Bard Fiction Prize and was a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. Contact 510.430.3130 or syoung@mills.edu.

Minded Empowerment Network and a Roundtable Fellow at the Women’s Leadership Institute on campus. She found Mills while applying to colleges online from Central

 Breaking Barriers

America, where she was helping economically marginalized

Thursday, April 10, 10:30 am, Toyon Meadow A celebration of the naming of the foremost business school for women in the West—the Mills College Graduate School of Business—and the groundbreaking for the school’s new building. See back cover for more information.

women find ways to earn income. Arnold said, “I made the decision to attend Mills, sight unseen, because of the school’s strong commitment to empowering women to act for change.”

Nathan Scholarship co-recipient Morning Star Gali, 28, is an Oakland native. A single mother, Gali transferred to

 120th Commencement

Mills as part of her plan to create

Saturday, May 17, 9:45 am, Toyon Meadow Rita Moreno, the internationally distinguished actress, singer, and dancer, gives the commencement address.

the opportunities for her daughter that she did not have in her youth. Last spring, she applied to

 A AMC Annual Meeting

Mills’ Institute for Civic Leadership

Saturday, May 17, 2:00 pm, Stern 100 Learn the results of the Alumna Trustee election, vote for new members of the nominating committee, discuss proposed changes to by-laws, and participate in other decisions regarding the governance of the Alumnae Association of Mills College. Contact 510.430.2110 or aamc@mills.edu.

and became one of the program’s citizen scholars. Gali is a member of the Ajumawi Band of the Pit River Nation and plans to focus on cultural immersion and the revitalization of the language of her ancestors.

 Art Exhibitions: Divine Visions Worldly Lovers and An Insufficiency in Our Screens

The Joan Henry Scholarship recipient, Ashley Eisele, is a

June 18 to August 3, Mills College Art Museum Two exhibitions are on view: Divine Visions Worldly Lovers, featuring Indian miniature paintings from the Barbara Janeff collection, and Charlotte Schulz: An Insufficiency in Our Screens, displaying charcoal drawings of composite architectural spaces. Contact 510.430.2164 or museum@mills.edu.

22-year-old from Minnesota. Her dedication to the field of education was sealed when she traveled to Namibia to teach and discovered the discrepancy between the quality of education received by students in the capital and those in the makeshift settlements where she worked. Eisele

September 18–21; Convocation on September 19 Mills invites all alumnae/i to return to campus, especially the Golden Girls of 1958 and other alumnae from class years ending in three and eight. Contact 510.430.3363 or alumnae-relations@mills.edu for further information.

said, “The experience of teaching

6

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Bonne Marie Bautista

 Reunion 2008 and Convocation

has opened so many doors for me.”

She hopes, in turn, to improve access to education for others.

—Jessica Hilberman

Berth of the cool The oldest sport at Mills has moved into a new home. On October 14, 2007, the last day of Reunion, more than 40 crew alumnae joined the 2007–08 crew team (above right) and President Janet L. Holmgren to celebrate the opening of the team’s new boathouse on the shores of Briones Reservoir in Orinda. The team meets here five days a week to train at the break of dawn.

Returning alumnae represented teams from the 1960s to the 1990s and included Marina Kershaw Simenstad ’68 (below right), who rowed with the first Mills team to win the national championship. “Our boathouse is dedicated today to the past, present, and future rowers of Mills College,” head coach Wendy Franklin-Willis ’93 announced just before current crew members served a picnic lunch to the 90 attendees.

The new boathouse replaces a leaking, cramped, wooden one used by Mills rowers since they began training at Briones Reservoir in 1982. The metal walls of the new structure are sturdy and ample enough to hold the team’s nine rowing Photos by Dana Davis

shells—each at least 45 feet long—as well as an impressive display of archival photos chronicling rowing history at the College. “Mills crew was established in 1914 and is the oldest women’s rowing program west of the Mississippi. The boathouse is a place to honor the women who came before us, a place to remember our history,” said Franklin-Willis.

First master’s candidates in public policy and infant mental health find their stride Last fall, Mills launched two

real world policy solutions

majors at Mills, a couple are

the third is currently

new master’s degree pro-

that work.

Mills alumnae who majored

completing an internship

in other fields. Another was a

with Perez in the San Mateo

grams, those in infant men-

Now in their second

tal health and public policy.

semester, the public policy

political science undergradu-

County Mental Health Pre-

Both are 4+1 programs,

graduate students are

ate at Santa Clara University.

to-Three Program while writ-

meaning that students

preparing for their master’s

“We’ve been extremely

ing and researching a thesis

who have done significant

theses and taking a course

impressed with this group,”

on the relationship between

coursework in the field as

in politics and policymaking

Chetkovich said. “They’ll be

fathers and infants.

undergraduates can go on to

with Delaine Eastin, former

wonderful ambassadors for

earn a master’s in one year.

California secretary of edu-

the program.”

Professor Carol

cation and special advisor to

In the new 4+1 Infant

Like Chetkovich, Perez is pleased with her program’s first crop of students. “The

Chetkovich is very pleased

President Holmgren. They’re

Mental Health Program, the

students are excellent in

with the first seven women

also working on policy anal-

first students are making

terms of scholarship and

in the Master of Public

ysis for outside clients: one

their way toward master’s

commitment to working

Policy Program. “By the

student is working on digital

degrees, while many more

with underserved popula-

end of the first semester

copyrights for the Electronic

are preparing at the under-

tions,” she said.

these students had made

Frontier Foundation, another

graduate level to take on the

really excellent progress,”

is researching sustainable

extra graduate year, said pro-

of Public Policy Program,

Chetkovich said. “I had seen

agriculture standards for the

gram director and Associate

contact 510.430.2147

the learning happen.” In

San Francisco Ferry Building

Professor of Education Linda

or ppol@mills.edu. For

that first semester’s policy

Farmer’s Market, and others

Perez. Each of the three

information about the Infant

analysis class, students had

are working on transporta-

current master’s candidates

Mental Health Program,

the opportunity to pres-

tion issues, including a zero-

were Mills undergraduates.

contact 510.430.3170 or

ent policy ideas to outside

emissions bus program.

Two are taking courses that

imh@mills.edu.

Though most students

focus on young infants with

how to differentiate what

began the 4+1 program as

special needs and their fam-

looks good on paper from

undergraduate public policy

ily systems;

practitioners. They learned

To learn about the Master

—Jessica Hilberman

winter/spring 2008

7

Peg Skorpinski

Generations of giving: Friends around the world have stepped forward to contribute to the fundraising drive for the Natural Sciences Building. Last summer, Cecil and Mary Leong of Hong Kong gave $1 million to name the building’s Henry G. Leong Teaching Wing, which contains classrooms and faculty offices, in memory of Mr. Leong’s father, who had a keen interest in the promotion of higher education.

Three of the Leongs’ daughters graduated from Mills, each in a discipline now housed in the Natural Sciences Building: clinical psychologist Vivien Leong ’80 majored in psychology, physician Shirley Leong ’83 majored in chemistry, and veterinarian Esther Leong ’86 majored biochemistry. Cecil and Mary participated in the building’s opening ceremony on October 11; they are pictured at left with daughter Vivien (far left).

Primary presence: Some 300 students and community members packed the Student Union on February 2 to meet former first daughter Chelsea Clinton. In addition to fielding questions about her mother’s presidential run, the younger Clinton also revealed that she attended math camp as a kid and that she doesn’t like the current healthcare plan she receives as an employee of a New York City-based hedge fund.

Compost happens

The campus has implemented a cafeteria reusable tray program and grass-cycling for lawn areas, started a student-run recycling educational program, and reduced the amount of disposables at special events. Mills College recycles mixed paper, beverage containers, cardboard, yard waste, food scraps, and bio-based foodservice ware.

8

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Paul Kuroda

In recognition of the College’s efforts to continuously improve its environmental performance, Mills has received a 2007 Business Recognition Award for outstanding leadership and achievement in environmentally sustainable practices from StopWaste.org, an Alameda county-wide agency.

On the list? To receive email invitations for special events like Clinton’s last-minute appearance, send your email address to alumnae-relations@mills.edu.

Please include your full name, previous name and class year (if applicable), and current address, and we’ll keep you posted on the latest Mills happenings.

Betty and Gordon Moore pledge $4 million for Natural Sciences Building World War II and its

A $4 million gift from Betty

The Gordon and Betty

and Gordon Moore has

aftermath, however, made

Moore Foundation focuses

propelled Mills into the

it impossible for Moore to

on supporting environmen-

home stretch of raising $17.2

attend Mills full time. She

tal conservation, science,

million for the construc-

explained, “Gas was rationed,

higher education, and proj-

tion of the new Natural

and transportation was

ects specific to the Bay Area,

Sciences Building. To honor

expensive. I thought the

including a prominent initia-

the Moores’ generosity, the

greatest thing would be to

tive to support excellence in

facility will be named the

go to a women’s college like

nursing. The foundation is

Betty Irene Moore Natural

Mills, but I didn’t know how

no stranger to Mills: it made

Sciences Building.

to tap into more scholarship

a grant in 2005 to establish

resources.”

the Nursing Leadership

Betty Moore has a long history of involvement with

In between summers at

Program, a vital part of the

Mills. After graduating from

Mills, Moore transferred to

Mills pre-nursing curricu-

high school in Los Gatos,

San José State University.

lum, which allows students

she earned a scholarship to

There she met her future

to spend two years at Mills

enroll in Mills’ Institute of

husband, Gordon Moore.

studying liberal arts and

International Relations in

After their marriage, Gordon

continue with two years of

summer 1945. Moore had

earned a PhD in chemis-

nursing education at Samuel

said, “The green features of

covered the United Nations

try from Caltech and, in

Merritt College.

the building and the LEED

Conference on International

1968, co-founded Intel

Relations—where delegates

Corporation.

Making science and the environment top priorities

platinum rating were also very important.”

Betty Moore majored in

was natural for the Moores:

San Francisco to create the

journalism, but upon finish-

Betty grew up on her grand-

also allows Mills to collect

original United Nations

ing her degree in 1949, she

parents’ self-sustaining fruit

a $1 million grant from the

Charter—for her high school

found that few newspapers

farm, minored in science,

Kresge Foundation, which

newspaper, which sparked

were willing to hire women

and said, “I love everything

challenged the College to

her interest in diplomatic

reporters when World War II

that has to do with nature.

raise $3 million and expand

relations.

veterans were also seeking

Trying to keep the planet as

its range of community sup-

jobs. She worked for a time

green as we can is my goal.”

porters.

from 50 countries met in

“I had always heard about

The Moores’ generous gift

Mills. Then I won a scholar-

in advertising and public

The Moores and their

ship and thought, ‘I can do

relations at Consolidated

foundation do not usually

able to do this. I come from

this!’” Moore said. During

Engineering Corporation,

support building projects,

a humble background,” said

her first summer at Mills, she

then joined the Ford

but they made an exception

Moore. “Sometimes you just

lived in Warren Olney Hall;

Foundation—experience she

because the Mills facility

want to give back to society.

she returned for a second

called upon when she and

was already completed and

We want the world to be bet-

summer program in 1946 and

her husband set up their

because its mission reflects

ter for our families and our

lived in Ethel Moore Hall.

family foundation in 2000.

the Moores’ values. Betty

families’ families.”

“I feel blessed that we are

You can put the finishing touches on the Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building Thanks to recent major gifts from Betty and Gordon Moore, Cecil and Mary Leong, the Kresge Foundation, and others, Mills is in the home stretch of fundraising for the Natural Sciences Building.

But we still need your help to raise the remaining $150,000 needed to fully fund the building’s construction costs.

Please show your support by sending a check for the building in the enclosed envelope, giving online at www.mills.edu/giving, or calling 510.430.2097. Let us know that your gift is for the new building.

Every gift helps Mills prepare women for leadership in the sciences!

winter/spring 2008

9

W Progress report:

omen move into science leadership

By Cristine Russell ’71 There is a dreadful highway accident in which the

was a remarkable experience for those of us who

father is killed and the son, critically injured, is

helped organize the meeting.

rushed to the hospital. There, the surgeon comes to examine the patient and says, “That’s my son! ” How can this story be true?

When

10

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

in

Science,”

provided

an

action

plan for both the public and private sectors.

Recommendations included initiating new recruitment and retention efforts for senior science posi-

former

Mills

President

tions, assuring comparable salaries for female and

Robert Wert posed this riddle to

male scientists, promoting effective mentoring

Mills students and alumnae in the

systems for women, improving work environments

early 1970s, they had trouble solv-

and supporting career flexibility, heightening vis-

ing it. Today, the answer is obvi-

ibility of women in science, enhancing research

ous: the surgeon was the boy’s

funding for women in science, and, lastly, increas-

mother.

ing accountability by tracking the advancement of

Thirty-five

years

ago,

the likelihood of a woman in the

Mills College Trustee Cristine Russell ’71 is a senior fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. She is president of the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing and has written about science for 35 years, including a stint at The Washington Post.

The resulting report, “Advancing Women’s Leadership

women in science.

United States being a doctor was

Since then, several summit participants have

less than one in ten. Today, nearly

climbed to the top of their professions. Molecular

half of all medical school gradu-

biologist Shirley Tilghman, a member of the 1994

ates are women.

advisory committee, became the first woman

When I first wrote about women

president of Princeton University. Microbiologist

in science in 1971 as a Mills senior

Rita Colwell became the first woman director

majoring in biology, my classmates

of the National Science Foundation, the top U.S.

were among a small but growing

research institution. Locally, Ann Arvin advanced

group of women going into science

at Stanford University to become vice provost and

and medicine. Since then, things

dean of research in addition to her duties as pro-

have certainly changed for the

fessor of pediatrics and microbiology.

better as new opportunities have

But these notable achievements are still the

opened up for women entering a variety of scien-

exception, not the norm. So when plans got under-

tific and engineering fields.

way to celebrate Mills’ new Natural Sciences

Women now earn more than 40 percent of bach-

Building, we wanted to take the pulse of top

elor’s and doctoral degrees in science and engineer-

women in science to assess how much progress

ing. But once they enter the scientific workplace in

has been made. As the moderator of a panel of

academia, business, and government, women con-

distinguished women scientists who convened at

tinue to face a variety of subtle and overt obstacles

Mills on October 11, 2007, for the building’s dedi-

to success.

cation, I was struck by how hard women still need

Concern about the paucity of women who

to work to get to the head of the science line.

finally reach the top led Mills President Janet L.

“We’ve made a lot of progress, but still have

Holmgren to tackle the issue in 1994. With help

a long way to go,” said University of Maryland

from a national advisory committee, Mills hosted

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Sandra

the first national Women in Science Summit, in

Greer, who chaired the 1994 summit. She noted,

which 52 of the nation’s leading women scien-

for example, that federal research grants to women

tists came to campus to brainstorm about ways

are still far smaller than those given to men.

to break through the “glass ceiling” of science. It

“Real change has happened. Women do succeed, P h o t o s by p e g s ko r p i n s k i

Gaining momentum: Chemist Sandra Greer, pediatrician Ann Arvin, physicist Ticora Jones, and biologist Lisa Urry (top to bottom at right) relayed their experiences as successful scientists at a panel discussion hosted by Cristine Russell on October 11, 2007. The event, held in conjunction with the dedication of the new Natural Sciences Building, builds on the College’s commitment to advancing women in these fields.

and they do emerge as leaders,” said Stanford’s Arvin, who received her MD in 1972. She said that her generation of women had the strong conviction that they could have it all, both careers and

culture and outmoded system for advancement

families. “We’re in leadership positions now,” said

are still biased against women scientists at every

Arvin, “but we have to remain vigilant.” She wor-

step along the way in recruitment, retention, and

ries that the glacial rate of turnover of tenured

promotion. The Academies committee called for

professors and reduced federal research fund-

“fundamental changes” at America’s colleges

ing may make it even harder to advance women

and universities, as well as in the private sector,

through the academic ranks.

to make the scientific climate more hospitable

Another

panel

member,

Mills’

Biology

to the advancement of women, including more

Department Chair Lisa Urry, recalled that she was

flexibility in promotion timelines, increased sup-

so impressed when she attended the 1994 sum-

port for those with children or caregiving duties,

mit as a Berkeley postdoc that she came to work

and better data collection and monitoring across

at Mills the following year. She is concerned that

institutions.

women are still “leaking out of the pipeline at all

Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

stages and are underrepresented at the upper lev-

recently introduced the Gender Bias Elimination

els of all scientific fields.”

Act of 2007, and a congressional hearing exam-

The youngest member of the panel, Ticora

ined the issue. The proposed legislation would

Jones, a postdoctoral fellow at Lawrence Livermore

require federal science funding agencies to hold

National Laboratory, said mentoring was crucial

mandatory national meetings on gender bias

for women in grad school. Jones has overcome

for university department chairs, grant review

additional obstacles as an African-American sci-

boards,

entist; scientific PhDs going to women of color are

enforcement of non-discrimination laws; and

still less than three percent of the total. She got a

conduct compliance reviews to evaluate how

boost from an American Chemical Society high

institutions are doing.

and

government

officials;

increase

school program encouraging minority and disad-

Keeping the spotlight on women’s progress

vantaged students to go into science and was later

towards scientific leadership in the 21st cen-

honored when the Ticora Jones Trailblazer Award

tury is an ongoing job. In the 1970s, many of us

was created for program participants who go on

thought that the feminist revolution would make

to get doctorates.

it easier for women in all fields, including science,

The status of women in science is one policy

to rise rapidly to the top of their professions.

issue that is receiving attention once again in the

Unfortunately, the road is rockier than we imag-

nation’s capital. Last year, the National Academies

ined and the pace far slower.

of Science in Washington issued a report, “Beyond

It will take more than meetings, reports, and

Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of

bills to achieve real advancement of women into

Women in Academic Science and Engineering,”

scientific leadership roles. It will require hard

which found that women science faculty mem-

work by thoughtful men and women who are

bers continue to be paid less and promoted more

willing to reach down and help the women climb-

slowly, receive fewer honors, and hold fewer lead-

ing the ladder below them. We need to keep the

ership positions than their male colleagues.

scientific leaders of tomorrow, many of whom are

Echoing the concerns of the 1994 Mills summit report, the 2006 Academies report said that the

studying at Mills this very moment, advancing one rung at a time.

winter/spring 2008

11

it's so easy being The new Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building announces its intentions clearly and eloquently: within moments of stepping through the arbor-shaded front door, one is drawn to features that showcase achievement, inspiration, conservation, and sustainability.

green

The building underscores the College’s commit-

roof—although the photovoltaic system provides 30 percent of

ment to preparing women for success in science and,

the building’s electrical needs—the Natural Sciences Building’s

to encourage interdisciplinary study, brings together

intensively energy-efficient design has earned a platinum rat-

programs in psychology, biology, biochemistry and

ing from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy

molecular biology, biopsychology, chemistry, and envi-

and Environmental Design (LEED) system. The $17.2 million

ronmental science. It houses state-of-the-art teaching

structure is the first building in Oakland to achieve such dis-

facilities but is distinctly unpretentious in keeping with

tinction. It is almost 90 percent more energy efficient than a

the scale and demeanor of the surrounding campus.

typical lab in the Bay Area and 45 percent more energy efficient

“We have evolved a vision for educating women in the

than required by state law.

sciences—this building is green, it is beautiful, and it is

The building was designed by San Francisco-based EHDD

modest,” said President Janet L. Holmgren at the build-

Architecture, campus architect Karen Fiene, and design consul-

ing’s dedication on October 11, 2007.

tant Peter Dodge. “We thought about sustainability from day

The campus has good reason to be proud of this newest addition. Going well beyond a few solar panels on the

12

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

one,” says Fiene. “It saves money, and it’s good for Mills and for the environment.”

P h o t o s by c e s a r r u b i o

 Courtyards surrounding the building have been reinvigorated with native drought-tolerant plantings, with a stunning fountain as the centerpiece. But look more closely, and the fountain’s true nature is revealed: this sculpture collects rainwater, which is then filtered and purified before being used in restrooms. The system, in conjunction with other watersaving devices, is expected to save more than 335,000 gallons of water each year.  The soaring two-story lobby greets students and visitors with a multimedia exhibit of accomplished women in science, such as Rachel Carson and Marie Curie, along with profiles of several Mills alumnae who have gone on to successful science careers (see excerpts from this display on page 19). Low-impact materials have been used throughout the construction, from sustainably harvested wood and locally sourced basalt stone to recycled carpet and fabrics.  Classrooms are designed to keep students comfortable and alert. Tiered seating provides good sight lines and slightly angled walls with sound-absorbing panels ensure that lectures can be heard clearly. Abundant natural light streams through large windows overlooking the campus, and automatic sensors switch electric lighting on or off in response to conditions in the room. Additional sensors monitor the air and, as carbon dioxide levels rise (a leading cause of drowsy students), automatically increase the flow of fresh air to vents placed strategically in the floor. winter/spring 2008

13

Laboratories are similarly geared for health and safety. Light gray countertops reflect available light better than traditional black lab surfaces, recycled rubber flooring is comfortable underfoot and reduces fatigue, and even the stools from the old labs have been salvaged and refurbished. The organic chemistry lab sports seven fume hoods, a spectrometer, and other up-to-date learning tools.

The laboratory ventilation system creates a negative pressure so that the air is filtered and refreshed at least six times each hour. This system also ensures that any possible chemical spills are contained and removed as quickly as possible. These labs will save as much as $20,000 in energy costs annually.

 A skylight set with panels of dichroic glass breaks sunlight into component colors, casting a changing light mural across

A core value in our planning was to incorporate opportunities for learning about science by

using the building as a teaching tool.

the second floor lobby as the sun passes overhead. “A core value in our planning was to incorporate opportunities for learning about science by using the building as a teaching tool,” says Fiene. “We wanted the green qualities to be visible, artful, and engaging.”

being green

–Karen Fiene, campus architect

The Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building was made possible solely with private funding. Mills College offers its utmost thanks to the following generous donors*: $1,000,000 and above: Betty and Gordon Moore; the Class of 1948; the estate of Eileen M. Gibbs ’36; the Kresge Foundation; Cecil and Mary Leong, P ’80, ’83, ’86; Lorry I. Lokey, P ’85; the estate of Olga Taylor Scheffler ’31; the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation. $100,000–$999,999: Suzanne Adams ’48; the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barrett, P ’93; the Booth Ferris Foundation; the Fletcher Jones Foundation; the James Irvine Foundation (in honor of Pat Pineda ’74); Van and Merrill Purdy Kasper ’83; Cristine Russell ’71 and Ben Heineman Jr.; the Y & H Soda Foundation. $10,000–$99,999: Janis Botts Camper ’31;

Sanford and Roberta Lathrap Davis ’71; the estate of Barbara Russell MacArthur ’49; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; the Peninsula Community Foundation. $1,000–$9,999: Marybel Batjer ’77; Mary Freeman Dove ’64; Lucy Gates Gelb ’77 and Frank Sisto; Stanley and Judith Karp Freedman ’66; Kristen Marvin Keller ’98; Debaney Gill Lefort ’72; Debra Liu ’77 and Francis Walker; Dr. Susan Lott; Linda Rooney Markstein ’61; Mrs. Hugh J. McLellan (Alice Whisenand ’49); Dr. and Mrs. Tsung Ying Shen (Amy Lin, MA ’51); Mrs. Harry B. Stoker Jr. (Susan Magoffin ’49); Dr. Karen Cardon Swearingen ’63; Cynthia Taves ’48; Al and Shirley Peavey Barbara Ahmajan Wolfe ’65. * As of February 29, 2008 14

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Dana Davis

Walkoe ’48; Deborah Juliet Watson ’91; and Thomas and



Opening Doors Minds: Attracting women to the sciences and engineering

Philip Channing

By Shirley M. Tilghman

If educators are to open doors and minds in ways that will attract more women to science and engineering, we need to clearly articulate the arguments for doing so; understand the nature of the obstacles that women face when contemplating a scientific or engineering career; and develop ways to overcome, or at least reduce, these obstacles. And we need to ask ourselves if we are teaching science in a way that is both inspiring and engaging to girls and young women.

>

winter/spring 2008

 

15

Philip Channing

At the dedication of the Natural Sciences Building on October 11, Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman’s keynote address focused on why we need more women scientists and what educational institutions can do to engage women in scientific careers. The following article is an abridged version of her speech.

Four arguments for women in science

the 21st century, when the competition likely to increase the range of problems

Why should our nation be concerned

to science and engineering more than

about the gender of its scientists and

our fair share of the world’s best minds. ing the number of women engaged in

engineers? After all, the United States

To restrict our pool of talent, either scientific and technological pursuits

for international scientific pre-eminence under study, and this will broaden and is going to be stiff, we have to attract strengthen the entire research enterprise.

The third argument in favor of increas-

has clearly enjoyed a dominant posi-

intentionally or unintentionally, by dis- also appeals to the self-interest of the

tion in the international scientific com-

couraging women—or underrepresented field itself: If women continue to be

munity without the full participation of

minorities, for that matter—from pursu- underrepresented in disciplines such as

women. But, since the end of World War

ing careers in these fields is to guarantee physics, mathematics, engineering, and

II, the staggering success of the United

that the outcome, and thus the future computer science, these fields will look

States’ economy has depended to a very

well-being of the United States, will increasingly anachronistic to both male

significant degree on using taxpayer

be significantly less successful than it and female students, and we will risk los-

dollars to support fundamental and

could be.

ing the most talented among them. As

applied research. The creativity and tech-

The second argument for expanding law, medical, and business schools reach

nological innovation catalyzed by this

the ranks of female scientists and engi- gender parity in their student bodies, our

sustained federal investment resulted

neers is that the scientific interests of nation’s science departments and engi-

in ideas and inventions that have sig-

women are not always completely coinci- neering schools will become increas-

nificantly improved our way of life. This

dent with those of their male colleagues. ingly unattractive vis-à-vis those fields.

government/university/private partner-

I am not suggesting that women conduct

ship resulted in new industries—from

scientific inquiry differently from men— sion to exclude a significant proportion

biotechnology companies to microchip

the scientific method is universal—but it of the population on the basis of gender.

producers to telecommunications firms—

has been my experience that the prob- For every girl who dreams of becoming a

that economists estimate account for

lems that intrigue women are not always scientist or engineer, there is a moral obli-

40 percent of the increase in economic

exactly the same as those that attract gation to do everything we can to even

prosperity in the second half of the 20th

men. By encouraging women to embrace the playing field so her chances rest on

century. For this partnership to thrive in

a life in science or engineering, we are her abilities and her determination, just

16

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Finally, it is simply unjust for a profes-

as they do for her male counterparts. It is not sufficient for educational institu-

So, how do we make science and engineering more inclusive?

tions to shrug their shoulders, invoke

The first and most intractable obstacle

historical reasons for the situation, or

that many young women face, even as

bemoan the difficulty of changing mas-

early as high school, is the sheer fact that

culine cultures.

they are sometimes overwhelmingly outnumbered. It will not be possible to erase

Counteracting social and systemic obstacles

number of female scientists and engi-

The

women

the dangers of stereotype threat to those

in science and engineering has many

at risk, thereby blunting its effects, to

causes, which have been hotly debated

positive reinforcement through mentor-

over the last several years. Many studies

ing, to single-sex instruction—all should

document the influence of social norms,

affirm the abilities of girls and young

rooted in childhood, when boys and

women while challenging them to exceed

girls confront divergent parental, scho-

their present level of achievement.

underrepresentation

of

Peg Skorpinski

stereotype threat until we enhance the neers. While strategies to overcome this difficulty vary widely—from exposing

A world leader in the field of molecular biology, Shirley M. Tilghman served on the Princeton faculty for 15 years before being named university president in 2001.

A native of Canada, Tilghman received her honors BSc in chemistry from Queen’s University in Ontario and her PhD in biochemistry from Temple University in Philadelphia. She participated in cloning the first mammalian gene during postdoctoral studies at the National Institutes of Health and continued to make breakthroughs as an investigator at the Institute for Cancer Research in Philadelphia.

She has also been an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a founding member of the National Advisory Council of the Human Genome Project, and is the founding director of Princeton’s Lewis–Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics. In 2002, she received the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science award and the following year received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Developmental Biology.

lastic, and societal opportunities and

I attribute my own resistance to the

expectations. Social psychologists have

stereotypical view that women are not

exhaustively documented the disparate

meant to do science to four things:

experience of males and females pur-

an extraordinary father who taught

suing studies in male-dominated disci-

me that I could do anything I wanted,

plines, particularly in fields where there

highly supportive mentors who hap-

is a cultural assumption that women are

pened to have been men, strong and

less able. The existence of such assump-

inspirational senior women colleagues,

tions can lead to “stereotype threat,”

and an absolute inability to recognize

a phenomenon in which targets of ste-

reality. Let me amplify the last point. It

reotypes perform less well when they

has been my experience that many suc-

believe that their performance may con-

cessful women in science and engineer-

firm a negative stereotype about a group

ing simply fail to perceive that there are

to which they belong. Psychologists

obstacles in their path. They are able

Michael Inzlicht and Talia Ben-Zeev

to go through life with metaphorical

looked at the mathematical performance

blinders on—not in the sense of deny-

of male and female undergraduates in

ing that there are forces working against

mixed and single-sex groups. They found

the progress of women, but rather in

that women performed more poorly in

the sense of refusing to acknowledge

the presence of men than they did when

that those forces apply to them. Such

men were absent—and that this deficit

women refuse to allow themselves to

of whom were women. The next year,

actually grew as the number of men

become victims. This is a tremendous

the same co-chair organized the same

increased. Men, in contrast, were unaf-

survival tool, but one that takes the

conference—on the same topics—with a

fected by the number of women in the

kind of self-confidence that only comes

male co-chair. When their list was pub-

room. Unfortunately, the women most

from having strong parents, teachers,

lished, 43 of 45 speakers were men. What

likely to suffer in such circumstances

and mentors. We should be encourag-

had happened in just one year? The dif-

are those with the greatest ability, pre-

ing this trait in girls and young women,

ference is that when I close my eyes

cisely because they are so intent on dis-

rather than engaging in a lot of hand-

and think “stellar scientist,” I can easily

proving the negative stereotype. This

wringing about how tough things are.

imagine a woman. When my colleagues

may help to explain the fact that the gap

On the other hand, we should not

closed their eyes, they saw only a man.

between male and female scores on the

underestimate the degree to which the

This is not evil, it is human nature. This

math SAT is largest in the most gifted

culture of science can be experienced as

stereotype is as powerful in the mind of

population. It also explains why single-

hostile to girls and young women. Some

a 13-year-old girl as it is in the mind of a

sex institutions like Mills have produced

years ago, I helped organize a Gordon

university faculty member, and it needs

a disproportionate number of scientists

Conference. With my male co-chair, we

to be challenged wherever it raises its

in the past.

put together a list of 45 speakers, a third

ugly head. winter/spring 2008

17

Creating passion for Big Ideas

Ideas of science early in their education.

Let us also consider the ways in which

science education is a pyramid. At the

we can promote women in science and

bottom is a group of foundational facts

engineering through the nature and

that are often taught as a laundry list,

quality of our teaching. All instructors

without much effort to explain their rel-

should encourage girls with a passion for

evance to modern problems. Only after

science, mathematics, and engineering,

you have successfully conquered those

and they should counter negative stereo-

facts are you allowed to move up the

We must introduce students to the Big Too often the operating metaphor for

The delight of discovery Science is, at heart, an exercise in asking questions, and in the course of my career, I have always found designing and carrying out clever experiments to be far more engaging than the answers to which they ultimately lead. Answers are, of course, important, but the real excitement and the lasting rewards of a life in science come from

types by calling attention

the journey. This suggests

to successful women in science. But my greater fear is that we are no longer instilling in children

My greater fear is that we are no longer instilling in children and young adults a sense of

and young adults a sense

curiosity about the natural world...

of curiosity about the natural world that would lead them to devote their lives to revealing its marvels—and that we are fail-

and that we are failing to provide them with the

engineers.

So what induces a young woman to become a scientist?

What turned me into a scientist was discovering a Big Idea. I was a chemistry major at Queen’s University in Canada, and, by my junior year, I was a bored chemistry major. Then, quite by chance, I stumbled on a paper in the chemistry library in which Matthew Meselson and Frank Stahl reported on the mechanism by which DNA is replicated. The first thing that struck me about the paper was the importance of the question, but what was absolutely gripping was how the two scientists distinguished among the options. The experiment they devised was clever, indeed elegant, and it led to an unambiguous answer. I ran over to the biology department to sign up immediately, despite the fact that I had never taken a biology course in my life—not because of what they learned but because of how they went about it, how they discovered new knowledge about the natural world. It was a thing of beauty and worthy of a life’s work.

scientists and engineers.

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

reside at the bottom of the pyramid and replace them with questions—why they are important and

we need to give students research opportunities as early as possible. In fact,

pyramid to the next set of slightly more

studies establish a positive correlation

complex facts, and if you have the per-

between an early research experience

sistence of Sisyphus and the patience of

and the likelihood of persisting with a

Job, you will finally reach the summit

career in science. This is hardly surpris-

and be shown why you have been learn-

ing since one of the greatest motivators

ing those facts—that they are the tools

for a scientist is the thrill of discovery.

you need to solve exciting big problems.

By conveying to students the mystery,

We need to invert that pyramid and

the joy, and the relevance of science to

begin with the Big Ideas, and then con-

our world, we will not only strengthen

tinually connect the facts and theories

our nation’s scientific enterprise, we will

and hypotheses we teach to solving the

attract larger numbers of female scien-

questions behind the Big Ideas.

tists and engineers. It is not sufficient to

I tried this approach some years ago

address the gender-specific hurdles that

with a group of freshmen in a semi-

block the path of women in science and

nar called The Role of Asymmetry in

engineering; we must also rethink the

Development. I began the semester by

pedagogy of science itself. If this re-eval-

posing one of the central questions in

uation is coupled with an unqualified

developmental biology. For the first

commitment to creating an inclusive

three weeks, the students were forbid-

and supportive environment for female

den to consult any textbooks or sources;

scientists and engineers, I am confident

I wanted them to think originally about

that the world of science will be fairer,

the problem. We spent the rest of the

stronger, and more fulfilling for all. I am

semester reading papers from the pro-

also confident that Mills will continue

fessional literature in which their ideas

to enhance its 155-year-old mission of

had been tested. The students were able

helping women to fulfill their intellec-

to understand the concepts and, most

tual potential and that the students who

importantly, the ways in which scientists

gather in your new Natural Sciences

design experiments to test Big Ideas—

Building will help to change the culture

their ideas.

of science even as they explore its limitless frontiers.

18

of reciting the facts that

This also suggests that

the knowledge to make them good scientists and

to abandon the practice

how they are answered.

knowledge to make them good

ing to provide them with

that we educators need

Forces of nature: Mills alumnae scientists The lobby of the Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building features a dramatic two-story video installation that tells the stories of pioneering women in science—including Mills alumnae who are paving the way for the next generation of women to move into science leadership. The excerpts below were taken from that exhibit, Women Hold Up Half the Sky, which was made possible by a generous gift from Cristine Russell ’71 and Ben Heineman Jr. Patricia Babbitt ’79 Research scientist and professor of biopharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco I came late to science, having grown up in a conservative social environment in which young women were directed away from math and science and toward liberal arts. I dropped out of college in my junior year.

I went back [as a resumer at Mills] eight years later; I had experienced enough poor-paying jobs and wanted to see if I could succeed in a technical field that required sophisticated training.

When I started graduate school, there were no tenure-track women faculty in my department and few at UCSF. I remember joking with a friend that since we didn’t have any female role models, we were going to have to mentor ourselves!

Now she is a full professor at the University of Texas, as I am at UCSF. Today, there are still too few senior women in academia.

I chose to stay in academic science rather than industry because I love teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. I plan to continue teaching and mentoring in the classroom and in my lab as long as my career lasts.

Jill Fabricant ’71 Mills College Trustee and founder and CEO of Vasix Corporation, a biomedical company working to develop new drugs to reduce complications of diabetes and other diseases

Most exciting for me are discovery and the unknown, the ability to design experiments that ask questions about life, and to be surrounded by intelligent people asking similar questions.

It is an opportunity to understand at a fundamental level.

I worked for the chairman of the Department of Biology at Caltech, Dr. Robert Sinsheimer, who really introduced me to laboratory research. The next summer I worked for Dr. Max Delbruck, a Nobel laureate at Caltech, and had the opportunity to meet with him one-on-one for the summer.

At that time he was in his 70s, but his mind was so active. He was a marvelous mentor. I also did a postdoc at the Pasteur Institute in Paris with Dr. François Jacob, another Nobel laureate, who educated me on European science, where experimentation is carried out after much more rigorous group discussion and thought.

Amy Ryken ’85 Associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, University of Puget Sound, focusing on science education

Deborah Kimbrell ’72 Associate research geneticist in molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, Davis

I’ve been interested in science since I was very young; I loved exploring in the outdoors. Many people learn to hate science because it is often presented as a series of set facts rather than a process of continual exploration.

Science has given me a lens for understanding the world.

Throughout time, people have tried to describe the world in which they live. We’ll never fully understand the complexities of ourselves and our world, but I enjoy the search—and I enjoy the fact that questions lead not only to answers, but to more questions.

We still have a long way to go in terms of equity in the sciences for women and people of color.

I’ve had many experiences in my career where I have been the only woman at the meeting table or in the laboratory. This is challenging because of the sense of isolation and the need I feel to prove my abilities. It is also discouraging because the conversations and research suffer from the lack of perspectives in the dialogue. My experiences of isolation have inspired me to mentor others so the search of science can benefit from a range of perspectives.

Discovery is exciting—it is the driving force behind scientific inquiry. The feeling of finding out something that was not known before is without parallel. Two professors at Mills inspired me: Aline Kidd, professor of psychology, and Daryl Bowers, professor of biology. They taught me my favorite line about science, and how to live: science is about how to think, not what to think.

In addition, Dr. James Fristrom, professor—now emeritus— of genetics at the University of California, Berkeley, is a great role model; he exemplifies the highest standards of critical thinking. Being a graduate student in his lab was excellent training in science, career, and personal life. Dr. Barbara McClintock, a pioneering scientist who won the Nobel Prize, also inspires me. I spent only one day with her when I was a student in the 1970s, and it still affects me.

There have been many challenges related to gender, mainly from the subtle sexism that is ingrained in society. Overcoming those challenges has largely meant ignoring them and carrying on.

winter/spring 2008

19

Foreign

correspondence Fu l br i gh t s chol a r s t r avel the globe

By Linda Schmidt

“I

remember how I felt the first time I

stood across the counter from a woman

I’ve encountered appreciate my efforts in

Bulgarian friends and teachers. “I’ve made

learning Bulgarian.”

friends with international students from

at the market, mute, because I couldn’t

Her musical fluency, however, is fully

Turkey, Greece, and China. Every day I’m

remember how to ask for cucumbers in

acknowledged. “When I first arrived,

grateful for the opportunity to learn about

Bulgarian,” says Elizabeth Setzer ’06. As

the Bulgarian musicians were doubtful

life in other parts of the world, to under-

one of three alumnae selected for the

a bubbly American could sing their folk

stand the peculiar contexts of each cul-

prestigious Fulbright Student Program

songs, which require incredible breath-

ture and society, and to see connections

this year, Setzer is studying at the

ing stamina and are full of complex

between these—this blows my mind!”

Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts

melodic ornaments,” Setzer says. “But the

To hear Setzer’s music and find links

in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Not surprisingly, lan-

first time I sang for my teacher, Professor

to Svetla Stanilova and the Phillipopoly

guage has been a consistent challenge in

Svetla Stanilova, she responded, ‘You

choir, check out www.myspace.com/eliza-

her first few months abroad. Sometimes

have a Bulgarian voice!’ Although I am

bethsetzer.

even the most innocent exchange can

American, I feel Bulgarian folk music in

lead to surprising results: “Another day, I

my soul.” Self-taught in Bulgarian folk

T w elv e hu ndred miles north, Phoebe

meant to ask for mushrooms (gubi), and

music harmonies, rhythms, and disso-

Connell is working with Sweden’s Center

by mistake I used the word gumi, which

nance, Setzer now performs regularly

for Health Equity Studies of Stockholm

is slang for condoms!” Luckily, the con-

with Phillipopoly, a choir of academy

University (CHESS) and the Karolinska

sequences of such mistakes are less than

singers led by Stanilova.

Institute. The risk of venturing to an

dire. Setzer says, “I’ve learned to laugh in these situations. Generally, the people

Setzer’s

Fulbright

experience

has

unknown destination in a foreign coun-

also broadened her world beyond her

try has paid off well for her: “Everyone here has been very welcoming and warm.

Although I am American,

I feel Bulgarian folk music in my

soul..

–Elizabeth Setzer, Bulgaria

I had not met my primary advisor, Ilona Koupil, or anyone at CHESS for that matter, before coming here. I feel incredibly lucky that I ended up at this wonderful place with such an open, generous, and encouraging adviser.” A 2007 graduate of the post-baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program at Mills, Connell is working with her adviser on a study of the effects of the severe starvation that occurred during the siege of Leningrad in World War II on later risk for cancer.

But all work and no play leads to a dull year, and Connell has taken advantage of her situation. “All of the U.S. Fulbright grantees in Sweden got to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony,” she reports. “Sadly, we did not get to see Al Gore, but the ceremony

20

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

The food here is incredible and fresh.

I eat way too much

salmon.

being stared at—there are some aspects of our own internal cultures that we can never get away from.”

–Phoebe Connell, Sweden The fulbright st uden t progr a m, sponsored

by

the

U.S.

Department

the bare minimum. “Maoist cadres pass-

of State, Bureau of Educational and

ing through villages demanded money,

Cultural

food, and shelter—or even made villag-

based on academic merit and leadership

ers carry wires for bombs. Sometimes

potential. Mills has been recognized for

they threatened harm, and sometimes

two years in a row by The Chronicle of

Affairs,

selects

recipients

they killed people for disobeying. Many

Higher Education as a leading producer

was incredibly lavish and formal, with the

men have moved to Kathmandu, away

of Fulbright scholars; Boke, Connell, and

king and queen presenting the prizes. It’s

from their families, homes, and fields,

Setzer are among approximately 1,500

truly the Academy Awards of Sweden.”

to find work,” says Boke. She would like

award recipients chosen for 2007–08.

Local cuisine has been another pleas-

to spend more of her time in rural areas

These three scholars are unanimous

ant discovery, she says. “The food here is

but, because of ongoing political ten-

in their praise for the College and its

incredible and fresh. I eat way too much

sions, embassy permission is required

Fulbright committee: David Bernstein,

salmon—my favorite dish is rimmad lax—

for Fulbright scholars to travel outside

professor of music; Wah Cheng, associate

and I’m not a huge herring fan, but I’m

the Kathmandu Valley.

professor of history; Anne-Marie Choup,

working on trying to appreciate the huge

The country’s political situation has

associate professor of government; and

variety of preparations that are offered:

been difficult, but life in Nepal also has

chair Christian Marouby, professor of

salted, pickled, marinated, anything you

brought less risky cultural adjustments.

French and francophone studies.

can think of, really.”

“Staring is an integral part of Nepali

“The Fulbright has been a huge and

culture. In villages in particular, when

meaningful experience for me,” says

“The most basic way to put it is that

anyone walks by it is an occasion to stop

Connell. “I’m grateful to J. William

I study rocks,” says Charis Boke ’06,

work in the field, stand up, and look for

Fulbright (whose wife, still alive, we wrote

who is spending the year in Nepal’s

as long as desired. Otherwise, my Nepali

a Christmas card to at our post-Nobel din-

Kathmandu Valley conducting anthro-

friends reason, how are we going to

ner) and especially to Christian Marouby

pological research on the practice of

learn about people?” Boke says. “I still

and the other Fulbright advisors at Mills

aniconic worship, in which an object or

find myself occasionally disconcerted by

who helped make this possible.”

area, as opposed to a figurative image, is venerated as a deity. “The majority of shrines I’m looking at are, in fact, rocks, although there are other kinds of anicon, such as spots on the ground or holes in a wall,” she explains. Temples of all sorts include mounds of prasad—food that has been offered to the gods by previous worshipers. “In Dakshinkali, I spent my days sitting in the temple there—and being fed prasad. Prasad represents a way to take the divine into your innermost self. All

Staring is an integral

part of Nepali culture....

Otherwise, how are we going to learn about

people?

–Charis Boke, Nepal

day, I ate apples, coconuts, bananas,” Boke says. “If that’s any measure of faith, I’m truly holy now.”

Boke

is

affiliated

with

Tribhuvan

University in Kathmandu and spends some of her time in the country’s villages, where, since the Maoist rebellion, people have been scraping along with winter/spring 2008

21

Alumnae awards recognize

Strong, proud women

The sun shone brightly on the honorees at the first Alumnae Awards ceremony, presented by the Alumnae Association of Mills College (AAMC) on October 13 during Reunion weekend.

Following a rainy Friday, which moved the event from a flooded Toyon Meadow to the garden setting of Reinhardt Alumnae House, some 170 alumnae gathered for lunch to laud three exemplary women who have provided extraordinary service to the world and to the College. be more fulfilling than to wake up each morning knowing that I have an opportunity to reach out and hold hands with those in need?”

In recognition of 65 years of tireless service, Jane Cudlip King ’42 received the

inaugural

Outstanding

Alumna

Volunteer Award. Many know King as the host of her legendary walking tour of campus, presented each year during Reunion, but this outstanding Mills woman has served on campus and in several AAMC branches for more years and in more positions than any other living alumna. King has been a key

Alumna Trustee Susan Brown Penrod ’71 and Jane Cudlip King ’42

Deborah Santana ’97 (above), recipient

organizer of the Palo Alto Area Mills

of the Distinguished Alumna Award,

College Club’s successful house tour

has contributed significantly to improv-

fundraisers, has been a member of the

Thomasina Woida ’80 was also honored

ing the human condition and serving

Board of Governors for much of the past

with an Outstanding Alumna Volunteer

society. An effective and dynamic phi-

four decades, and has served as Alumna

Award. A resumer and English major at

lanthropist and humanitarian, Santana

Trustee from 1975 to 1983. She has been

Mills, Woida went on to law school and

is a founder of the Milagro Foundation,

active in student recruitment, a guiding

became a civil litigator. She first began

which since 1998 has provided more

force in the development of the AAMC

her service to the College as a phone-

than $2 million in grants to organiza-

bylaws, and a valued contributor to the

a-thon caller, then became class agent.

tions serving children and youth in the

Quarterly.

Soon she was invited to become a mem-

areas of health, education, and the arts.

With typical sparkling wit, King noted

ber of the Reunion Committee, a role

Through her work with Artists for a New

the irony of her achievement. As an

she has ably filled for nearly a decade.

South Africa, she helps those who are

undergraduate, she and her classmates

Woida also provided solid leadership

battling the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

spied on the AAMC Board of Governors

during her 2004–2007 term as AAMC

In addition, Santana has demonstrated a

meetings in Mills Hall. “They were at

president. Woida was unable to attend

strong commitment to mentoring young

least 35 years old—and you know that’s

the ceremony; speaking on her behalf,

girls and women, preventing youth from

an old woman—they all wore brown

Ramona Lisa Smith ’01, MBA ’02, said,

dropping out of school, and advocating

suits, and we could see that they wore

“I am honored and humbled to receive

for those citizens whose lives were dev-

sensible shoes,” King recounted. “We all

this award for what I really enjoy doing:

astated by Hurricane Katrina.

took solemn oaths that we would never,

volunteering.”

“Mills College offered me a strength

no never, have anything to do with these

and fire for life that has propelled me for-

women with their deplorable fashion

ward,” said Santana. “The desire to give

sense; we would never be active alumnae.

back is really a selfish one. What could

It was a solemn oath—and I betrayed it.”

22

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

P h o t o s by Da n a Dav i s

See Reunion 2007 photos throughout the Class Notes section.

Save September 18–21, 2008, for this year’s Reunion, which celebrates class years ending in three and eight.

Alumnae from all years are invited!

nine ladies dancing

Call for

2008

Award Nominations

The Alumnae Association is seeking candidates for the following awards: • The Distinguished Achievement Award for distinction in professional fields, arts, sciences, and public affairs; • The Outstanding Volunteer Award for extraordinary commitment and service in promoting the goals of the AAMC and the College; • The Recent Graduate Award for volunteer efforts that exemplify a spirit of caring and community to the AAMC and the College. Alumnae/i within 15 years of graduation may be considered for this award.

Candidates must be able to attend the award ceremony at Reunion, September 18–21, 2008. Mills alumnae/i may nominate candidates, and alumnae/i who attended Mills as degree candidates are eligible for consideration. Nominations may not include current Board of Governors members, current members of the Mills Board of Trustees, or members of the current Awards Committee.

Please send nominations with information about each candidate’s achievements and qualifications to: Chair, AAMC Awards Program, Alumnae Association of Mills College, P.O. Box 9998, Oakland, CA 94613. Also, please include your name, phone number, address, and email address.

Nominations must be received no later than May 19, 2008.

For more information, email the AAMC at aamc@mills.edu or AAMC President Anita Aragon Bowers at AnitaAragonBowers@ alumnae.mills.edu. Details are also available on the web at www.mills.edu/ alumnae or by calling 510.430.2110.

A Reunion gathering

Northern California

Elendar Barnes, MA

celebrated Mills’ deep

Katherine Dunham

’71, who was unable to

connection with dance

Legacy project; Mary

attend, is a founder of

pioneer Katherine

Lois Hudson Sweatt

the Imani Dance and

Dunham and honored

’60, MA ’62, who has

Drum Ensemble; she

several alumnae who

been an artistic and

also serves as chair

have studied or per-

educational resource

of the Department of

formed with Dunham

in Dallas, Texas, for

Mass Communication,

troupe members and

more than 40 years. She

Creative, Performing

who continue to teach

recently received the

Arts and Speech at

Dunham Technique.

Dallas Dance Council

Medger Evers College in

Legacy Award for

New York City.

The following

The weekend-long

alumnae (pictured left

Lifetime Achievement.

to right in the photo

Also recognized were

festivities further

above) were honored for

Shirley Brown, MA

explored the lasting

their work in carrying

’72, a former profes-

influence of Dunham

forward the Dunham

sor and chair of dance

tradition through a

legacy: Linda Goodrich,

at Sacramento City

performance of choreo-

who became Mills’

College; Deborah

graphic excerpts on

first MFA graduate in

Brooks Vaughan, MA

Friday night, October

dance in 1982 and now

’71, artistic director of

12 (photo below), and

chairs the Theatre and

Dimensions Theater;

an afternoon of film

Dance Department

Albirda Rose, MA ’73, a

clips and roundtable

at California State

teacher at San Francisco

discussion.

University, Sacramento;

State University who

Naima Gwen Lewis,

has traveled to Brazil

MA ’68, who applies

as demonstrator and

Dunham’s interests in

assistant to Katherine

healing and spirituality

Dunham; and Linda

in her work to prevent

Tregle ’70, MA ’74,

substance abuse and

who teaches dance at

obesity in Atlanta;

several universities

Carolyn Himes ’75,

and is the founder

MFA ’01, a dance educa-

of the International

tor at Laney College

Dance Studio in

who works with the

Stockton, California. winter/spring 2008

23

Elect Your Alumna Trustee One of the three women described on these pages will be your next Alumna Trustee. Help determine who it will be by casting your ballot—on the inside back cover of this Quarterly—now, so that the Alumnae Association of Mills College (AAMC) receives it by May 9, 2008.

Serving for three years (July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2011) as a full member of both the Mills College Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors of the AAMC, this Alumna Trustee will help ensure that alumnae are well represented in the leadership of the College by conveying the views of the AAMC board to the College board. She will join two current Alumnae Trustees—Susan Brown Penrod ’71 and Gayle Rothrock ’68—and will replace Sharon K. Tatai ’80, whose term will end on June 30. The AAMC and College boards are deeply thankful to Ms. Tatai for her committed leadership and look forward to welcoming their newest member.

Current residence: Honolulu, Hawaii

ership experiences at Mills forged my firm belief

Mills major: Religion/Asian Studies

that I as a woman could be a leader, a parent, an

Additional education: MA, Asian Studies,

educator, an administrator, a lawyer, a lobby-

University of Hawaii, 1968; JD, William S.

ist, or a community activist. I’m proud that my

Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii,

daughters—now both lawyers—have grown up in

1981.

a multicultural environment where women are

Student activities: ASMC Judicial Board chair; ASMC social chair; Mary Morse Hall social chair; various other committees and activities.

Lyn Flanigan ’65

tions serve a critical role in the lives of institu-

Bar Association, present; vice president, gen-

tions, as historians and cultural monitors, and in

eral counsel and corporate secretary, Hawaiian

providing informed leadership shaped by shared

Airlines,

counsel,

institutional experiences as well as differing edu-

Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, 1991–1997;

cational and cultural perspectives. As an alumna

law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifle,

whose career has focused on international as well

1985–1991; clerkships with U.S. District Court

as local issues, I bring the vision to students and

and bankruptcy court judges, 1982–1985; East–

alumnae to effect positive change at Mills and in

West Center program officer, 1968–1982.

their local, national, and international arenas. I

Inc.,

1997–2003;

senior

Center

know through my experience with alumni asso-

Foundation board of directors, 2003–present;

ciations at the EWC and law school (both of which

Friends of William S. Richardson School of Law,

I attended in the “early” years of the institution)

2003–present; East–West Center alumni board

and my service on many boards, that empowered

of directors, 2001–present; YWCA of Oahu board

alumni associations, like institutions, grow and

of directors, 2000–present; Red Cross of Hawaii

change, but continue to provide leadership and

board of directors, 2001–2007; East–West Center

vision for the institution.

experience:

East–West

board of governors, 1992–2001.

AAMC involvement: Mills alumnae admissions representative; Hawaii Mills Club.

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Future of the Alumnae Association and its relationship to the College: Alumni associa-

Employment: Executive director, Hawaii State

Volunteer

24

accepted as leaders.

The future of Mills College: Women are leaders, quietly or overtly. Leadership is critical in our troubled local, national, and global society.

How Mills affected my life: Mills brought

In spite of advances by women, we know that

diversity into my life, from a small Midwestern

we have not achieved parity in our society, and

town to a multicultural, multiethnic international

many other societies are far behind. But we also

community. At Mills, I studied Japanese language

know that alumnae of women’s colleges excel in

at UC Berkeley and in Japan. After Mills, I con-

the ranks of women leaders. Mills College must

tinued cross-cultural studies in Hawaii and in

continue to develop professional and leadership

Japan through the federally funded East–West

programs for women, built on a liberal arts foun-

Center (EWC). I married into a Japanese family

dation, to develop women who can and do make

in Hawaii and had two daughters, who were two

a difference on every level. Mills College has an

and three years of age when I entered law school

exciting mandate and opportunity to develop

while continuing to work at the EWC. My lead-

women leaders for tomorrow.

Current residence: Suisun City, California

dent interacting with anyone. Mills reinforced my

Mills major: English

upbringing that everyone deserves to be treated

Additional education: Secondary teaching

with respect. In a world that in some ways still

credential; chartered property casualty under-

says that black people are second-class citizens,

writer (CPCU), associate degree in management,

Mills professors, College executives, and brilliant

American Institute for CPCU; diploma in risk and

students from all over the world treated me with

insurance, College of Insurance.

dignity and respect. Being a Mills College graduate

Employment: Over 30 years in property/casualty insurance, including underwriting and inter-

has opened many doors, but more importantly, it has given me the courage to walk through them.

nal audit. Current position: director of marketing

Future of the Alumnae Association and its

administration, CSE Insurance Group, Walnut

relationship to the College: While this transi-

Creek, California, responsible for the marketing

tion period is challenging and sometimes diffi-

Lynette Williams

division budget, corporate communications, pub-

cult because both the College and AAMC are still

Williamson ’72, MA ’74

lic web site, event planning, and leadership on

assessing and adjusting to a completely new set of

marketing-involved projects.

rules, I believe that the partnership will be suc-

Volunteer experience: Calvary Chapel, Solano,

cessful. A very simple view of the two organiza-

Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher,

tions is that the College represents the head or

1993–2000 (substitute teacher currently); greeter.

the brains, while the AAMC represents the heart;

AAMC involvement: Quarterly Editorial Board,

The future of Mills College: I expect Mills to

1992–1997; Board of Governors, 2003–June 2007.

continue to offer and maintain programs that

How Mills affected my life: Mills taught me to

foster and educate our future leaders, such as my

think critically and write well. Equally as impor-

niece, Amber Williams ’10, majoring in political,

tant, because of my Mills experience, I am confi-

legal, and economic analysis (PLEA).

Current residence: San Leandro, California

How Mills affected my life: The environment

Mills major: Sociology

at Mills was crucial to my development and self-

Additional education: MBA 1994, University of

confidence. I don’t think a co-educational college would have allowed for the same level of personal

Phoenix.

Employment:

Senior

underwriting

officer,

development.

part-time

Future of the Alumnae Association and

instructor in the Business Department, Western

its relationship to the College: The Alumnae

Career College, 2005–2006; held several posi-

Association

tions, including underwriting specialist and mar-

changes. These changes should be viewed as a

keting manager, Kemper Insurance, 1985–1998

positive step towards increasing the fundrais-

and 1999–2000; director of product management,

ing base of both entities. This new structure will

CalFarm Insurance, 1998–1999; held underwrit-

improve the programs the Association is able to

ing and marketing positions at Hartford Insurance

offer. The combined goal is to attract new stu-

and Transamerica Insurance, 1977–1985.

dents while serving the needs of the alumnae.

Chubb

Sheryl Wooldridge ’77

neither can thrive without the other.

early 1990s through June 2007; class secretary,

Insurance,

2000–present;

Volunteer experience: Mentor at-risk teenagers, Big Sisters; tutor, Second Start Literacy Program.

has

undergone

some

structural

The future of Mills College: My hopes and expectations are that Mills will remain a women’s

AAMC involvement: I have been involved with

college. Mills will continue to produce leaders.

the Diversity Committee since its inception and

Hillary Clinton is a graduate of a women’s college

served as chair for one year. I served two terms as

and may be the first female president. Regardless

a member of the Board of Governors, two terms as

of your political affiliation, this has to been seen

a member of the nominating committee, and was

as an argument for the necessity of female-only

part of the search team to hire an executive direc-

educational institutions. This is an environment

tor for the Alumnae Association. I participated

that allows women to thrive and enables them to

in the 2007 Reunion activities by facilitating a

become world leaders.

networking workshop. winter/spring 2008

25

Bookshelf From the Ground Up: Grassroots Organizations Making Social Change

Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living

Carol Chetkovich and Frances Kunreuther Cornell University Press, 2006

Sharon Graham Niederhaus ’63 and John L. Graham M. Evans, 2007

Mills Public Policy Program Director Carol Chetkovich and

Informed by interviews

Frances Kunreuther, director of the Building Movement

with more than 100 peo-

Project, began work on From the Ground Up while they were

ple living in multigenera-

colleagues at Harvard University. The book looks at 16 grass-

tional

roots social change organizations, many of them run by

book argues in favor of

women and people of color, in order to assess the opportuni-

extended

ties and challenges of building a progressive social movement

and

around the work these groups are already doing to provide

solutions to many com-

direct services and advocacy in their communities. —PW

mon problems. Chapters

Remedy

households, family

provides

devoted

to

this living

practical

caregiving

benefits for both young

Anne Marsella ’86 Portobello Books, 2007

and old, design and remodeling considerations for privacy and

Mix a heaping helping of Bridget Jones’

nicate successfully are useful for the growing number of fami-

Diary with a dose of the Lives of the Saints, throw in a dollop of Cinderella, and you might end up with Remedy, the story of a young fashion journalist, devoted Catholic, and hopeless romantic living in modern-day Paris.

This is Marsella’s debut novel, and the author clearly enjoys playing with language to challenge the reader’s vocabulary, introduce a host of

accessibility, financial and legal planning, and how to commulies incorporating twenty-somethings returning to the nest, aging parents, or others outside the nuclear family definition.

Niederhaus presented the book to Congresswoman Barbara Lee ’73 (above) in July 2007 when she was in Washington, D.C., to speak at a conference on multigenerational living. —LS

Tough Little Beauties: Selected Essays and Other Writings of Stephanie Mills

quirky characters, and pursue the goal of True Love. —LS

Stephanie Mills ’69 Ice Cube Press, 2007

Homelands: Women’s Journeys across Race, Place, and Time

Stephanie Mills rocked the boat when she spoke out against

Patricia Justine Tumang, MFA ’06, and Jenesha de Rivera, MFA ’07 (eds.)

Seal Press, 2006

of essays repeats her concerns regarding overpopulation and

Twenty-eight women examine taken-for-granted notions of

space and time. Mills’ writing is simultaneously transcendent

American life and their—or their ancestors’—real or imagined

and grounded, thoughtful and funny, decisive yet questioning—

homelands, including the Philippines, India, Korea, the tribal

and definitely worth reading. —LS

land of the Dakota, Norway, the American South, Tonga, and even homelessness. In the process, they celebrate their unique identities while negotiating complicated questions of belonging, memory, race, class, gender, culture, language, religion,

having children in her 1969 graduation address. This collection human impact on the environment but also discusses spirituality, activism, politics, and the art of living fully within your own

Letters Home to San Francisco from Occupied Germany, 1945–1946

exile, and authenticity. Stories by five Mills alumnae are repre-

Helga Wolski Dudman ’42 Carta Jerusalem, 2007

sented: Tumang and de Rivera as well as Leila Abu-Saba, MFA

Shortly after graduating from Mills, Helga Wolski landed a job

’07, Meeta Kaur, MFA ’06, and Erika Martinez, MFA ’07. —PW

with the U.S. Treasury Department. Being fluent in German, she was sent as an interpreter assigned to a “denazification” unit and to the work of preparing evidence for the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. These letters to her parents and grandparents combine the intrigue of investigating the financial misdeeds of German banks with first-hand observations of a war-ravaged country—

26

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

all presented with the insights and enthusiasm of youth. —LS

“MILLS DOES A WONDERFUL JOB EDUCATING WOMEN.” — Phyllis Drayton ’58

A philanthropic partnership Since the 1960s, my husband, George, has added to my gifts to Mills with matching gifts from his company.

Recently, we funded a charitable gift annuity with appreciated stocks. The annuity benefits me during my lifetime; the remainder will support Mills.

Her 50th Reunion gift I’m very pleased that this annuity will augment my annual contributions to the Class of 1958 Endowed Scholarship, my class’ Reunion gift to the College.

j

Why Phyllis keeps giving to Mills Mills professors help women look at themselves in ways they might have never imagined. Mine were very nurturing, but they also expected quality work. I’m gratified that my gifts can help students afford this experience—not just today but in perpetuity.

What she gained I learned to be a leader at Mills. Rubbing shoulders with the diverse women around me prepared me for my work as a community volunteer.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN CREATE A LASTING LEGACY AT MILLS Please contact April Hopkins, director of planned giving, toll-free at 877.PGMILLS (877.746.4551) or by email at aprilh@mills.edu.

28

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

In Memoriam Notices of deaths received before December 7, 2007

Alumnae Anna Stribling Taylor ’34 September 2, in Pasadena, California. She was predeceased by her sister-in-law Jane Taylor Perry ’35 and leaves a niece, Terry Taylor Elwood ’67.

Mary Lanigar ’38, October 31, in Santa Rosa, California. A CPA and lawyer, she was the first woman partner in the firm Arthur Young (now Ernst & Young). She retired from the firm in 1976 to accept directorships at Wells Fargo,

Lucky Stores, the Pacific Stock Exchange, and other corporations and nonprofits. She served as a Trustee of Mills College for 17 years. Survivors include her sister, Dorothy Anderson, and niece, Susan Abbott Koster ’70.

Elizabeth Loudon Steele ’38, August 13, in Seattle. She lived in Paris and Washington, D.C., before moving to Seattle, where she was on the board of the Intiman Theater and a member of the Elizabeth Fischer Guild at Children’s Hospital. She

is survived by three children and eight grandchildren.

Jeanne R. Fontana Lower ’39, June 9, in Folsom, California. She was a branch president of the Alumnae Association of Mills College for many years. She was a part of the Baha’i community in Folsom and in Carmichael. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; survivors include two children and six grandchildren.

Verna Lebow Norman ’40, August 15, in Los Angeles. She

was an accomplished sculptor and painter, showing her works in a number of solo and juried exhibitions. In later years, she split her time between the U.S. and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Muriel “Tex” Johnston ’42, MA ’46, November 11, in Berkeley.

She served in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a lieutenant commander, then had an extensive scientific career with the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, the Naval Radiological Defense Lab, and the Naval Biosciences Lab. She

Barbara Coleman Frey ’68, 1946–2007 Barbara “Bobby” Coleman

Governors of the Alumnae

Frey of Piedmont passed

Association of Mills College

away peacefully, surrounded

(AAMC), chaired the AAMC

by family and friends, on

Annual Fund, and started

September 28 after a lengthy

the annual fund for the

and courageous battle with

Children’s School. Her family

breast cancer.

endowed the Florence Bloch

An Oakland native, Frey

Feldman Scholarship at Mills

lived amidst vibrant Mills

in honor of her grandmother.

women all of her 61 years. Her

Bobby will be missed deeply

family included grandmother

by the Class of ’68. She was

Florence Bloch Feldman

involved in organizing every

’21; cousins Emilie Bloch

five-year Reunion and worked

Schwabacher ’25, Theresa

as class agent for many years.

Loewy Breyer ’37, Hazel-Clair

Laurel Burden ’68 says,

Cinq amies à Paris: Barbara Coleman Frey ’68 (far right) in Paris with Mills friends (left to right) Laurel Burden ’68, Nangee Warner Morrison ’63, Sandy Gregg ’68, and Patricia Abelov Demoff ’68.

courageous, took pleasure in

gardening, knitting, and

Loewy Dwoskin ’43, and Elise

“All of us will miss this quiet,

little things, and lived every

spending time at her home in

Feldman Rosenfeld ’47; and

determined person. She has

moment that she had to the

Tahoe.

sister Elinor Coleman ’71.

been a force in my life from

fullest.”

As a child, Bobby attended

the first day in Olney. We

the Mills College Children’s

have been through much in

cooking, studying locally with

Allison; parents, Joan and

School, as did her daughters

the last 43 years, both won-

Narsai David and Jack Lirio

Clarence Coleman; sister,

Allison and Charlotte. She

derful and not so wonderful,

in the 1970s. She traveled

Elinor; and an extended fam-

married David Lee Frey Jr. in

but our trip to Paris for our

extensively and as recently as

ily of Mills friends. She was

the Mills Chapel in 1969.

60th birthday celebration was

summer 2007, when she vis-

predeceased by her daughter

what it is all about: friendship

ited Santa Fe with Mills pals.

Charlotte. Gifts to Mills in

ativity and positive outlook

and love. That we will carry

Music, always a part of her

memory of Barbara will sup-

to Mills. Over the years,

with us forever.” Patti Abelov

life, was the focus of several

port the Children’s School.

she served on the Board of

Demoff ’68 adds, “Bobby was

trips. Other passions included

Bobby dedicated her cre-

36

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Bobby had a passion for

Barbara is mourned by her husband, David; daughter,

is survived by her sister and many nieces and nephews.

Heartie Edwards Look ’42, November 10, in Santa Barbara.

She lived in Japan for five years, learning native dance, crafts, and flower arrangement from master teachers. After returning to the United States, she taught flower arranging for more than 30 years. The Japanese Tea House at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is dedicated to her. She is survived by four

children and five grandchildren.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Morrill Lord ’43, June 16, in Walnut Creek, California. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a volunteer for the John Muir Medical Center, and a passionate ballroom dancer. She is survived by three children, three grandchildren, and her husband, Robert.

Frances Trotter Bell ’44, May 30, in Orinda, California. She was active in many community organizations, including

Friends of Orinda Library and the Orinda Art Council. Survivors include her husband, Howard.

Anne “Frosty” McMillin Lightbody ’46, August 29, in Hailey, Idaho.

She was a long-time resident of Long Beach, California.

Patricia Maher Hobbs ’47, September 27, in Boulder Creek, California. She worked for Hope Rehabilitation Services for 22 years, lobbied for mental health, and raised awardwinning German shepherds.

Patricia Taylor Milligan ’47, October 2, in Coronado, California. She lived throughout the country as a Navy wife, supported the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Bridge and Bay Garden Club.

She is survived by her husband, Donald; four daughters, including Mary Jane Milligan Clements ’73; and 12 grandchildren.

Joanne LaDue ’49, MA ’50, September 28, in New York Continued on page 38

Barbara Bundschu ’38, 1916–2007 Barbara Bundschu’s eventful

business has been keeping

career spanned 20 years with

me hopping pretty fast...

United Press International

though I still prefer the real

and 14 years with Mills

news and do get my hands

College. A great-grand-

on it as well.” Eventually she

daughter of Jacob Gundlach,

had the opportunity to write

founder of California’s

the kinds of stories she had

oldest family-owned win-

in mind, which were sent out

ery, Gundlach-Bundschu,

on the wire and picked up

and granddaughter of

by publications such as the

Congressman Thomas Geary

New York Times, Boston Globe,

of Santa Rosa, Bundschu had

and Chicago Sun-Times. She

deep roots in California but

covered the Berlin Airlift in

moved to New York to begin

1948 and 1949 from a cargo

her career.

plane delivering supplies

Bundschu was hired by the

and, in 1950, covered the

United Press news agency in

trial of Judith Coplon, who

1942 as a secretary. She sent

was tried for spying for the

news back to Mills that she

Soviet Union. She published

was “enjoying tremendously

an investigative series on

being as close to the news

the then-nascent John Birch

as I seem able to get at the

Society in 1961. agent and class secretary

1934 to 1937. Her step-father,

she became the agency’s

career with a return to Mills

for the Class of 1938 and as

Harry Howard, was a brother

fashion editor and wrote a

College as assistant to the

a regional governor for the

of Charles P. Howard, a Mills

daily column on necklines

President and later director

Alumnae Association of Mills

Trustee from 1951 to 1960.

and new colors in shoes.

of public affairs and publi-

College. Bundschu’s mother,

She is survived by many

To her friends at Mills, she

cations between 1962 and

Jean Geary Howard, was head

cousins.

wrote in 1946, “The fashion

1978. She also served as class

resident of Olney Hall from

moment.” A few years later,

Bundschu began a second

winter/spring 2008

37

Jane Rule ’52, 1931–2007 Mills lost an eloquent, coura-

scape in which to re-imagine

geous alumna when Jane Rule

themselves, their loves, and

died November 28 on Galiano

their relation to the world.

Island, British Columbia; she

Desert of the Heart was

was 76. American by birth

unique when it was pub-

and Canadian by choice,

lished: unapologetic, the

Rule’s pioneering work as a

novel reminded readers that

writer and activist reached

lesbians were vulnerable to

across borders.

surveillance and punishment,

While teaching at Concord

but it provided a place to

Academy in Massachusetts

resist. With this novel, Rule

in 1954, Rule met Helen

established herself as a clear-

Sonthoff, another teacher,

eyed visionary; without being

landmark Toronto gay news-

who would become her life-

didactic, her work is deeply

paper, The Body Politic.

long partner. Worried about

political. In the six novels and

Rule refused to privilege

who were isolated, crushed

the political climate in the

many short stories and essays

long-term relationships over

by hostility and fears. Her

U.S., they moved to Vancouver

that followed, Rule exposed

other forms of intimacy and

voice was for more than four

in 1956, where they held

the deep connections between

yet her 45-year relationship

decades a sane, unafraid

positions at the University of

racism and homophobia,

with Helen Sonthoff sus-

presence in the midst of the

British Columbia until 1976,

self-loathing and cruelty. Her

tained and nurtured them as

successes and losses we have

when they moved to Galiano

stories were published in the

it did their many friends and

shared whether “we” are gay

Island.

pioneering lesbian journal,

neighbors on Galiano and

or straight, young or old,

The Ladder, and in women’s

throughout the world.

urban or rural. We continue

Rule’s landmark novel Desert of the Heart (1964)

magazines like Redbook and

tells of a romance between a

Chatelaine.

young woman in Reno and an

A lifelong opponent of

your Grandmother,” in the

In her last public appear-

she loved so well.

In her early career, Rule provided a lifeline for lesbians

to learn from her clarity and

ance in July 2007, Rule was

candor, her courage and

inducted into the Order

eloquence.

older woman who has come

censorship, Rule valued com-

of Canada by Lieutenant

for a divorce. Moving back

munity defined by difference

Governor Iona Campagnolo in

—Remembered by Marilyn R.

and forth between the char-

rather than commonality.

a simple ceremony on Galiano

Schuster ’65 of Smith College,

acters, Rule subtly challenges

She became a clear and

Island followed by a potluck

Northampton, Massachusetts,

myths about lesbians and

uncompromising voice for the

picnic. Honored by the coun-

author of Passionate

creates a story that is hope-

lesbian and gay community

try she adopted, Jane wanted

Communities: Reading

ful and open-ended. Readers

in her essays, many of which

to locate the celebration in

Lesbian Resistance in

found in Rule’s writing a land-

grew out of her column, “So’s

the close island community

Jane Rule’s Fiction

In Memoriam, continued

education from Harvard University, taught at a Montessori school in Connecticut, and was interested in creating a sustainable lifestyle. She is survived by three children, two grandsons, and her former husband, Richard.

and other locations. Survivors include her husband, Roy.

involved with the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters.

Survivors include her husband, Henry, and two stepsons.

City. She worked in antiques sales for 45 years.

Patricia Young Braun ’50, June 24, 2004. She earned her law degree from the University of Oregon and was a practicing lawyer in Portland and Ogden, Utah.

June Moniz Bilisoly ’54, November 11, in Portola Valley, California.

Mary Joslyn Gurley ’54, July 17, in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

She received a master’s in 38

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Birdie Gross ’55, July 3, in Chatsworth, California.

Constance McMillan Carpenter, MA ’55, August 15, 2006. An accomplished watercolorist, she illustrated three books and showed her works in several New York galleries

Carol Wilshire Palladius ’57, July 7, in Seattle, Washington. She taught English in Venezuela, was secretary to the Egyptian consulate in San Francisco, and was active in political activist groups. Survivors include her husband, Nestor.

Patricia Ernst Niebolt ’58, October 9, in Daly City, California. A lifetime educator in the California public school system, she was

Kate Slade Murty ’59, May 10, in Poway, California. After living in Mexico for nearly 20 years, she became a math teacher in the San Diego city schools, specializing in bilingual education. In retirement, she and her husband were Fuyu persimmon farmers. Survivors include her husband, Richard.

Gifts in Memory of (Received August 1–October 31, 2007)

Charles Anderson,

by Janet Armes Koupal ’57

Mary Lanigar ’38, by Harold and Muffy McKinstry Thorne ’48

Sheila Weibert Ballantyne ’58,

by Joan Amy ’86, Patricia Peregrine Muller ’57, and J. Roussel Sargent

Anne McMillin Lightbody ’46, by Lucile Pedler Griffiths ’46, MA ’47

Patricia Hind Black ’41,

by Harriet Bradley Tegart ’42

Elizabeth “Betsy” Morrill Lord ’43, by Alice Gonnerman-Mueller ’42 and Janet Armes Koupal ’57

Willa Wolcott Condon, MA ’32, mother of Ann Condon Barbour,

by Ann Condon Barbour ’69

Mary Walker Mag ’35, ME ’37,

by Harold and Muffy McKinstry Thorne ’48

Trista Kline Conger ’43,

by Lydia Nelson McCollum ’43

Boitumelo “Tumi” McCallum ’07, daughter of Teboho Moja,

by Anna Allanbrook, Shirlyn Baker, Marie Bastien, Steven Burrell, Cynthia Chandler, Elaine Chugranis, Thembi Duhe and Eddie Mundando, Wei Dong and Chunhui Ma, Hubert Dyasi, Dorene Fehnel, Jacqueline Fisher, Brady Galan, Elizabeth Gilmore, Suzanne Grant Lewis and Paul Lewis, Jessica Hamlin, Fred Hayward and Linda Hunter, President Janet Holmgren, Mildred Hudson, Paget Jones, Wilma Jones, John Jordan, Michael Klein, Angela and William Knight, Carlo and Kathryn Lamagna, Colleen Larson, Anne Love, A. Lenora

Evelyn “Peg” Deane ’41,

by Mary Hart Clark ’42 Barbara “Bobby” Coleman Frey ’68, by Gayle Rothrock ’68 Lori Chin Fong, by Marilyn Learn Eleanor Hadley ’38,

by Lucy Cowdin Maisel ’38, Gayle Rothrock ’68, and Patricia Tudbury ’38 Kathleen Hager ’72,

by Beverly Curwen ’71 Teruo Hamada, by Virginia Ong Gee ’51

Faculty & Staff Carol Lennox ’61, April 9, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She was director of Academic Computing from 1989 to 2000 and taught in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. She represented Mills as a member of the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges, which was chartered to explore and promote the use of information technology at the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Lawrence L. Shrader, September 26, in Berkeley, California. A professor emeritus of government studies, he taught at Mills from 1963 to 1989 and helped develop the political, legal, and economic analysis major. He also spent time in India, a country he loved and wrote about. To honor his work at Mills, the Lawrence Shrader Prize in Government will be awarded each year to an outstanding student in government or international relations. Donations to the prize may be directed to the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Taitt and Peter Magubane, Ann Marcus, Jabulile Masekela, Cleopatra Mbatha, Georgina McCallum, Sandee McClowry, Patricia McDermott, Teboho Moja, The Moja Family, Dr. Motsumi Moja and Family, Masegale Monnapula, Dolores Morris, Daphne Muse, Bridget O’Connor and Michael Bronne, The Palmer Family, Duncan and Helene Perold, Lillian Petty, Yvonne Porter, Richard and Patricia Richardson, Cynthia Rountree, Donald Smith, Joshua Smith, Lisa Springer, Mrs. Swartland, Jack Szychtel, Professor Booi Themeli, Mary Ann Wight, Bruce Williams, Roberta Yancy, Alma Young

Evelyn Smith ’67,

by Ann Murphy ’67

Sally Cheek Mee ’42,

by Mary Johnson Basye ’51 and Mary Glide Miller ’50

Erwin A. White, husband of Emma-Jane Peck White ’35,

by Janet Armes Koupal ’57

Eleanor “Elly” McDonald Meyer ’36, by Barbara Agostinho Stehr ’72

Marjory Kennedy Wilson ’39,

by Betty Chu Wo ’46

Patricia Ernst Niebolt ’58,

by Anne Falconer and The San Franciscans

Margaret “Peg” Holt Wurlitzer ’44, mother of Wendy Evans Wurlitzer, by Wendy Evans Wurlitzer

Danza Squire ’85,

by Margo Heda ’85 Mary Jane Stamm ’39,

by Harriet Bradley Tegart ’42 and Patricia Tudbury ’38 Anna Stribling Taylor ’34,

by Janet Hopkins Richards ’36 Catherine “Katie” Morgan Trefethen ’31, by Anne Sherwood Copenhagen ’44, Linda Cyrog Giacomi, Mills College Club of Hawaii, and Betty Chu Wo ’46 Jean Macduff Vaux ’33,

by Mrs. A. Carl Helmholz

Elizabeth Hawks Nord ’58,

by Patricia Peregrine Muller ’57

Spouses & Family Echo Dell Anderson, October 25, mother of Dellaine Anderson Risley ’65.

Apologies: The fall issue mistakenly listed Trista Conger ’43 as a member of the Class of 1948.

We apologize for the error.

Lois B. Henley, October 23, 2006, mother of Catherine “Cathy” Henley-Erickson ’62.

Kenneth Hall, November 16, husband of Doris Mott Hall ’51.

William Milam, September 29, husband of Elizabeth Zoering Milam ’40.

Lois Shapiro Phillips, May 10, mother of Miriam Phillips ’81 and Kate Phillips ’81. winter/spring 2008

39

Bruce Cook

By Linda Schmidt

Going to the chapel: (clockwise from top) An artist’s rendering of the structure; architect Warren Callister; Chaplain Hedley and President Rothwell break ground on the Chapel site in 1963; the apse and altar.

Divine inspiration

T

he Chapel nestles gently into the hillside as if it has always

been there. But it took the determination of Chaplain George Hedley and the inspiration of architect Warren Callister to create the welcoming space.

Hedley, who was chaplain from 1948 to 1965, had long hoped

for a chapel in the round to replace Wetmore Lodge, the converted gatehouse that had served as a chapel for many years.

After more than two decades of informal fundraising, Hedley spent the first two years of his retirement seeing the project to altar, subtly creating a feeling of uplift. And the whole is sur-

fruition.

It was Callister, however, who translated Hedley’s vision into reality. Callister’s structures are noteworthy for the sensitive

rounded by glass-paneled doors and windows, which open so music can be heard outside.

use of wood and other natural materials, unique handcrafted

Callister laughingly denied that there is any truth to the leg-

details, comfortable functionality, and a seamless integration

end that the building was consciously designed to present the

into the landscape. The Chapel is no exception.

shape of the “woman” symbol to an aerial viewer, but his phi-

Now 91 years old, Callister paid a visit to the building on December 14 to share stories of its development with a gather-

losophy and methods of creativity don’t rule out a subconscious origin.

ing of several dozen students, faculty, and staff. The architect

“Architecture to me is a responsive sort of art,” he explained.

bubbled with enthusiasm as he described his earliest exami-

“You have to let it lead you on. What you’re doing has to be

nations of the building’s future location and the evolution of

appropriate to the site, the people, the concept. The ideas come

the plan: “The site was a sort of

if you open your ears to them. When you find that harmony, it

dell in the trees,” he said. “Young

all lights up.”

women gathered together for

That harmony is palpable throughout the building. “We have

lunch in this little wood, so we

people from many faith paths—or none—and, to a one, they feel

put a cover over the spot.”

welcome here,” says current Chaplain Erika Macs. Since the

The sanctuary’s final form

Chapel’s dedication on June 11, 1967, it has been the site of hun-

grew largely out of acoustic con-

dreds of weddings, baptisms, concerts, student meetings, and,

siderations. “It’s a place for voice

perhaps, personal spiritual revelations.

and song and violins,” Callister

And that’s just what Hedley and Callister had in mind. “When

said. The 14-sided interior, lined

you depart from the ordinary, you find things that are unex-

with redwood panels, creates a

pected,” Callister said. “Finding that source of true inspiration

beautiful resonance while quell-

is the answer to everything.”

ing echoes. The floor slopes slightly upward to the central 40

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

To contribute to the maintenance of the Chapel and organ, call 510.430.2097.

Alumna Trustee Ballot Nominee statements are printed on pages 24–25.

Please indicate your first, second, and third choice for 2008–11 Alumna Trustee below: ____ Lyn Flanigan ’65 ____ Lynette Williams Williamson ’72, MA ’74 ____ Sheryl Wooldridge ’77

Ballots mu st be receive d at Reinhardt Alumnae H ou s e by 5:00 pm , Friday, May 9, 200 8

IMPORTANT: • Ballots must be mailed in a private envelope.

Ballots mailed in pre-addressed annual fund envelopes will not be counted.

• Only ballots cut from the Quarterly will be counted. The ballot is printed on the inside back cover of the Quarterly.

No ballot will be accepted without the mailing label on the reverse side. In order to maintain voter confidentiality, the Association’s mail opener will verify that the mailing labels are authentic and then ink out voter names before passing ballots on to the Nominating Committee chair for final count.

• No faxed ballots or call-in votes are valid.

Mail your ballot to:

Chair, Nominating Committee AAMC Mills College P.O. Box 9998, Oakland, CA 94613

Upon request, the AAMC will send a winter Quarterly to replace the one from which you have cut this ballot.

Call 510.430.2110 or email aamc@mills.edu.

breakingbarriers President Janet L. Holmgren and the Mills College Board of Trustees cordially invite the whole Mills community—including alumnae, donors, students, and parents— to celebrate the naming of our Graduate School of Business and the groundbreaking for the school’s new building.

Be among the first to hear the new name of the foremost business school for women in the West.

Keynote Address by Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist “The Glass Ceiling: Fact or Fiction?”

See www.mills.edu for details. RSVP to gsb@mills.edu or call 510.430.3388.

Based on strong business principles and enhanced by a focus on corporate responsibility and ethical leadership, the Graduate School of Business offers an MBA designed to prepare women for success.

Enrollment has grown from 12 students in 2001 to 75 this year. The school’s new building, to be constructed on a portion of Orchard Meadow Field, will provide room for expansion and meet strict requirements for environmentally sustainable design.

Rendering of the new building on Orchard Meadow Field from the perspective of Richards Road, © Dick Sneary, Sneary Architectural Illustration.

Mills Quarterly Mills College 5000 MacArthur Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94613-1301 510.430.3312 quarterly@mills.edu www.mills.edu Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing office(s) Address service requested

april 10

2008

10:30 to 11:30 am, Toyon Meadow