Letters to the Editor I so enjoyed the fall Quarterly.
The event had the atmosphere of a
It was a pleasure to see Bette Spagel’s
festive, small-town picnic. The Benicia
letter regarding Beth O’Neill’s work.
High School band played. Mayors C.
Beth’s efforts were continued by Bette,
Carston Johansen of Benicia and John
who followed her as a wonderful dean of
C. Houlihan of Oakland, Mills College
admissions.
President C. Easton Rothwell, and Mills
It was also a pleasure to read the fine
Chaplain George Hedley conducted the
article on Jim Graham. He was a central
ceremony. Dressed in period attire were
figure at Mills for many years and served
Doris; daughter Anne (later Anne von
Volume CXI, Number 3 (USPS 349-900) Spring 2022
in many capacities. I still remember sitting
Colditz Sattler ’77, MA ’81); and four
at the dinner table one night years and
Mills students descended from Seminary
President Elizabeth L. Hillman
years ago, when my children learned to
students: KerryLynn Blau-Williams ’65,
their great surprise and disappointment
Katherine Coopman ’68, Wendy Hull
that Jim was not the president of Mills
Brody ’68, and Lynne Appleton ’65.
Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Sherisse Dozier Managing Editor Allison Rost Design and Art Direction Nancy Siller Wilson
College. The kids had attended the sum-
When dedicated, the new marker was
mer programs so well managed by him.
dark brown with gold lettering. Fifty-six
(Both daughters—Megan Thomas ’93, MA
years later, the bronze has oxidized to a
’98; and Katie Thomas ’88—later gradu-
green patina just as the event faded in
ated from the College.)
my memory—until I saw the photos in
It is my hope that one essential ele-
Editorial Assistant Tri-an Cao ’21, MFA ’22
ment of Mills, the friendships and mutual
Contributors Britt Allen Lila Goehring ’21 Rachel Leibrock, MFA ’04 Moya Stone, MFA ’03
faculty, staff, and students, will somehow
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.
The photos of the Mills Seminary histor-
Copyright © 2022, Mills College Address correspondence to Mills Quarterly, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Email: quarterly@mills.edu Phone: 510.430.3312
Share your thoughts Submit your letter to the editor via email to quarterly@mills.edu, online at quarterly.mills.edu, or by mail at: Mills Quarterly 5000 MacArthur Blvd.
respect and support that existed among remain in the current transition. –Marge Miskelly Thomas, MA ’67; Sonoma, California
Mills Quarterly. –Elizabeth McDearmon Werner ’66, Clearwater, Florida Dear Jan Holmgren: Where are you and why have you stayed silent? We need to hear your voice! You have provided inspiring words to the Mills community in the past, but your silence is deafening now.
ical markers in the winter Mills Quarterly
I met you several times at Mills alum-
brought back memories of a festive occa-
nae functions and was always impressed
sion on May 2, 1965. During my junior
by your “no nonsense” way of leading
year, the Mills community attended the
the community. Thank you for your
dedication of the second plaque.
leadership in building up Mills: You sup-
The dedication ceremony only hap-
ported the Sesquicentennial Campaign,
pened because 10-year-old Anne von
increased faculty diversity, and success-
Colditz was searching for her glasses
fully enlarged the Mills student body.
in Benicia City Park when she spotted a
You are a valued president emerita
bronze plaque that said “Mills” buried in
of our special college. You have shaped
the grass. She showed it to her mother,
Mills’ past in significant ways, and your
Doris von Colditz ’41 (later Blackwell), who
help is needed again at this critical junc-
was then the president of the Alumnae
ture to secure Mills’ future.
Association of Mills College (AAMC).
Please help us to restore Mills’ soul
The Benicia Old Timers Committee had
and mission: a private liberal arts under-
erected the plaque in the park in 1937, but
graduate women’s college for women and
Mills was unaware of it.
gender nonbinary students, with gradu-
Doris worked with the AAMC, the
ate programs for students of all genders.
Benicia Parlor of the Native Sons of the
Please help us stop the sale of Mills
Golden West, and various state commis-
College to Northeastern University.
sions to create a new historical marker
As Dean Hettie Belle Ege used to say,
that incorporated the original. State
“Remember who you are—and what you
The Quarterly reserves the right
funds paid for the new bronze plaque,
represent.”
to edit letters for length and clarity.
with words composed by Mrs. O’Brien
Oakland, CA 94613
of the AAMC. (Aurelia Henry Reinhart wrote the text of the original plaque.) 2
M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
—Kathleen Roskos ’80, Los Altos, California
