The Quarterly’s student assistant reflects on the multigenerational relationships she’s forged and encountered at Mills in her final piece before graduating.
M
ILLS FRIENDSHIPS ARE A SPECIAL KIND OF MAGIC,
friends as young as five and as old as 85. Before I got to Mills,
one that is not dependent on age. I have found my home at Mills
part of me even worried about fitting in with others my age.
through students and alumnae who are twice or even three
But my experiences here have transcended anything I ever
times my age. An alumna from the Class of 2012 recently told
thought of as “right.” My tight connections with older students
me that for the rest of my life, I’ll know a Mills person when I
and alumnae ensure that as I emerge into the real world, I’ll be
meet them. They’ll be the one in the room with a strong voice
surrounded by those who understand my story.
and a mind for justice. After four years, the College’s motto finally rings true: no matter the years between us, or our place
Finding My Crew
in life, Mills people will always have a home with each other.
At this year’s Commencement, keynote speaker Alicia Garza—
For me, multigenerational friendships are nothing new after
activist and co-founder of the national Black Lives Matter
growing up in a large, extended musical community with
movement—encouraged us graduates to strive for justice in
friends all across the country and the world. I’ve always had
numbers. “You’ve met the people with whom you share passions and values. Hold them close, and grow your crew,” she
ALLI NOVAK
said. “We are going to need each other.” We’ve taken her words to heart, especially while grappling with change within Mills. Mills has gifted me a crew of my own. They fell right into my life a few months ago when the Mills transition was announced, and I suddenly found myself digitally surrounded by others who believed in the power of Mills and were living proof of it. It wasn’t long before we were on Zoom at all hours, long into the night and with Mills on our minds first thing in the morning. As of press time, the meetings are still frequent and alive with passion. I’ll be lucky if I ever work with a team as powerful—leaderful, as one member described it—again in my whole life. I could not be prouder to work every day among students and alumnae who won’t give up. They’re the faces I see every day and the voices I will hear for the rest of my life if I ever doubt myself. Connection has been tried over this past year of isolation— and in some cases, extreme closeness. We have all had to stay at home and stay apart out of love, to keep each other alive. I have heard time and time again that college kids have it the worst—those whose lives are just beginning, who are dying to find our places in the world and have been forced to sit still. Still, I have tried to see the bright side even when it’s cloudy. Yes, I wasn’t able to experience my senior year on campus or have a full in-person Commencement, but the pieces that have fallen out of place this year may have landed just right. Yes, the future of Mills College could break all of our hearts. But in a
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M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
