Mills Quarterly, Winter 2022 by Mills Quarterly

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Mills Quarterly Winter 2022

“

Writing a letter to my class each year kind of feels like writing a

love letter to my time at Mills.”

THE TIME BARBIE SPENT AT MILLS made a lasting impact on her as a first-generation college student who dedicated five years to pursuing a degree in business economics and an MBA. But the hard work also came with the support of the “amazing women” she found here. In her first week, she met a student in the computer lab who would become her best friend (“to this day!”). Together, they took the same classes, shared textbooks, earned identical degrees—and even dressed alike. Now, as a longtime volunteer class agent, she has had more than a few opportunities to reflect on her Mills experience, which, she notes, will stay with her beyond the Mills–Northeastern University merger. These memories inspire her to make her case to classmates every year for why she gives, in the hopes they will too: “At Mills there were times when I had to put tuition on one credit card and buy books on another. At one point, I worked two jobs and was a full-time student. If I can help a current student not stress about the financial piece, then why not?” This season, look for a personal letter or email from your own class agent, who is working hard to ensure that the current Mills students have the resources they need to complete their paths here—with the help of your gift.

Please make a gift to the Mills College Annual Fund by calling 510.430.2366, visiting alumnae.mills.edu/give, or mailing a check. Make check payable to the Mills College Annual Fund, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613

Paige Ricks

—Barbie Penn ’09, MBA ’10

Mills Quarterly

CONTENTS

Winter 2022 5

Updates on Northeastern Merger and Mills Institute

12 Found Family by Lila Goehring ’21 A group of three Mills alumnae, each 12 years apart in age, count their bond as among the most important in their lives.

14 Remaking the Art Museum by Jessica Lipsky How can the art world move forward into a more just and inclusive space when its history is rooted in inequity?

18 Transitions: From Benicia to Oakland, From Seminary to College by Moya Stone, MFA ’03 In the first in a series of three stories, we look at Mills’ origins and the changes that helped make it what it is today.

22 Reunion Photos!

Departments 2

Letters to the Editor

President’s Message

Mills Matters

20 AAMC News 30 Class Notes 34 In Memoriam

On the cover: In Benicia’s City Park, on West Military between 1st and 2nd Streets, sits a set of plaques that commemorate the original location of Young Ladies’ Seminary, the precursor to Mills College. Read more about the College’s time in Benicia and its move to Oakland—and the evolution from Seminary to College—starting on page 18. Photo by Allison Rost.

Letters to the Editor As an English major from the Class of

option for the future of Mills College. In my

1952, I was enchanted by the reminis-

opinion, that omission left it ineffectual.

cence about Libby Pope in the summer Quarterly. It brought back such rich memories—she did, indeed, embody Dr. Hedley’s deathless line: “The magical madness of Mills.” I have recently been immersed in the Volume CXI, Number 2 (USPS 349-900) Winter 2022

Oxfordian position regarding the author-

President Elizabeth L. Hillman

has been plying me with a series of very

Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Nikole Hilgeman Adams Managing Editor Allison Rost

ship of the canon known as the works of William Shakespeare. My erudite cousin impressive tomes that make it perfectly clear that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, is the obvious wielder of the pen that produced these works under the pseudonym of William Shakespeare. Having just fin-

Design and Art Direction Nancy Siller Wilson

ished the latest offering, Shakespeare

Editorial Assistant Tri-an Cao ’21, MFA ’22

does a thoroughly admirable job of orga-

Contributors Debra Connick ’85 Lila Goehring ’21 Jessica Lipsky Moya Stone, MFA ’03

of the Oxfordian movement to date, and

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.

Pope. How I should love to hear what she

Revolutionized, in which James Warren nizing the history and documentation the impressive body of evidence backing up the claim of Oxford as the true author of the works, I can only wish that I could discuss the whole thing with Dr. would have to say about it all, knowing how dear the various Shakespeare theories were to her heart. We were so fortunate to be at Mills during the golden years, with Libby Pope, George Hedley, Alfred Neumeyer, Luis

Monguió, the Milhauds, and all the rest!

Address correspondence to Mills Quarterly, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Email: quarterly@mills.edu Phone: 510.430.3312

Those enchanted days have so greatly enriched all the many days of my long and interesting life. Dr. Pope is deeply missed and truly honored in memory. Carol Holtzman Wolf’s shared memory brought back such a flood.

Share your thoughts

–Marie Muirhead Escher ’52 Arcata, California

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. Oakland, CA 94613 The Quarterly reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Bravo for the current fine issue of Mills

–Mary Parker Lawrence ’57 Portland, Oregon It is difficult to read the letters in the Quarterly. So many are joyfully optimistic or justifiably concerned. We can argue about the practicalities of the current and future state of Mills forever, but I believe the emotional impact that this transition holds is unarguable. When I think about my beloved campus, which really was an “alma mater” for me as for so many of us, Mills was home in every sense of the word. When I imagine the halls of Ethel Moore or the corridors of Orchard Meadow being traversed by young men, my heart sinks a little. Or when I think about the small class sizes that allowed us to speak up and out and share ourselves in safe ways, I am saddened by the loss of that same spirit. I am a professor myself now, and some of my most cherished students are cisgender men, yet I am thankful every day for my time at Mills as it gave me and other young women and nonbinary students a place to find our voices—and strong ones at that—when the wider world didn’t make space to listen. I write today simply to acknowledge the emotional impact this has on our Mills community versus glossing it over with pleasantries. In the end, this will affect the majority of us alums, I would assume, in a way that is hard to put into words. My heart is in the fabric of that place, and I pray that it is respected and protected for a younger generation to experience someday while still feeling the power of the trailblazers that traversed its grounds. –Emily MacDonald ’03 San Pedro, California “What? Are you even American?” At one of my first workplaces after I grad-

Quarterly! I strongly support the proposed Mills

uated from Mills, this was my co-worker’s

Northeastern

response to me saying that I felt more emo-

University, based on solid information

tion watching Return of the Jedi than The

and support provided.

Notebook. The office was mostly women—

College

merger

with

The angry lawsuit against this merger

about 95%—and it was in a small town in

did not propose a “Plan B” or other viable

North Carolina. We had a Jesus statue in

the lobby. I was asked, as was typical in

is that they would rather Mills not exist

we served for so many years continues

the South, what church I attended as gen-

at all unless Mills remains “the same.”

its lawsuit against Mills—a lawsuit that

eral small talk.

What is “the same”?

has already burned through nearly $1

The assumption that a space with mostly or all women is safe was an

Mills was built on a strong foundation of change and has always adapted.

million of AAMC funds. We are adamant that the AAMC must end its lawsuit,

assumption I had when I applied to go to

Mills has been on its way out from

work to rebuild our alumnae commu-

Mills—even though I assumed I would be

being a traditional women’s college for

nity, and help engage all of us in sup-

mocked for wanting to have children. I

a long time. I believe that Northeastern

porting the campus community as it

was wrong on both accounts. What Mills,

University and Mills will have a mutu-

makes the transition to Mills College at

the mostly women workplaces I have

ally beneficial relationship, and not just

Northeastern University. Alumnae are

been in, and my now-decade of residence

the schools but current students and the

ready to move forward: more than 450 of

in the UK (which is becoming known as

alumnae/i community as well.

us have signed a petition, submitted to

“TERF Island”) have taught me is that

Let us try to remain grateful for the

the AAMC Board of Governors the week

feminist—as in actually feminist—spaces

opportunity for Mills to remain in exis-

of October 11, to vote on withdrawing

are important and desperately needed.

tence. I needed Mills at a desperate

the AAMC from lawsuits against Mills.

I grew up hearing US congresspeople

moment in my life and I know many oth-

With the belief that the AAMC can still

compare my mother and people like me

ers found Mills at similar moments in

play a constructive role in Mills College’s

and my friends to child molesters for

theirs. Mills must remain open and thrive.

future, we recently sent a letter of support

being gay, and now I live in a place where

The world needs institutions like Mills to

to Viji Nakka-Cammauf, MA ’82, current

the same is happening to me and my

set an example of support throughout the

AAMC president, offering to help in this

friends who are nonbinary and/or trans,

educational journeys we embark upon.

leap forward.

all in the name of people who claim to care about women. Maybe it’s because of

–Emily Nicole Mella Cedano ’13 Tampa, Florida

Mills is starting to communicate with alumnae to ask you for your help during this transition and afterwards. Mills

where I am right now that I see the need for Mills to extend the education it gave

As former presidents of the Alumnae

alumnae have always been passionate

to me to anybody who wants it.

Association of Mills College (AAMC), we

about our alma mater. Please join us to

A space with a majority of women is

see such a promising future for Mills stu-

ensure success for the Mills community

not inherently feminist and not inher-

dents, faculty, staff, and alumnae with

in the future.

ently safe. Mills does not have to lose its

the announcement of the union of Mills

focus on women empowerment. In fact,

College and Northeastern University.

many of my men professors and lectur-

As you know, Mills has a long tradition

ers at Mills taught lessons that were just

of women’s empowerment, with roots in

as feminist as any woman professor. And

the Young Ladies’ Seminary founded by

trust me, so much of the world needs it.

Mary Atkins in 1852. It became a char-

Sticking with a tradition merely because

tered college three decades later, under

it’s tradition is not progressive. And I

Susan and Cyrus Mills. Though we are

would much rather have a Mills education

sad that Mills cannot remain a women’s

be available to everyone than no one.

college, we realize that it has already seen

–Lola Phoenix ’09, London

many profound changes in its 169 years. Today, changes are necessary for Mills

Mills was a safe haven for me and my sis-

College to continue to serve current and

ters. Further back in our family history,

future students and provide an excellent

several of our ancestors worked in service

education capable of preparing leaders

at Mills, sewing dresses and watching as

for our communities and for the world.

more privileged persons engaged in study. Hard lessons were learned on campus.

Alumnae can play a role in keeping alive our alma mater’s most profound

And now, the culture of belligerence

traditions—such as its commitment to

and talking loudly without listening has

women’s empowerment and social jus-

taken center stage. I saw this even dur-

tice—at Mills College at Northeastern

ing my time at Mills—the loudest were

University. We can continue to support

the ones who were heard and accepted.

students, faculty and staff, and each

That is no way to live or to love. It is bet-

other. We can ensure that we persist as

ter to be honest and open.

a community.

The impression I get from some of

But alumnae cannot be fully effective

this (incredible, wonderful) community

in any of this as long as the association

–Muffy McKinstry Thorne ’48, Oakland; Anita Aragon Kreplin ’63, Oakland; Sue Tucker ’68, Sacramento; Susan Brown Penrod ’71, Piedmont; Lucy Do ’75, Lafayette; Thomasina Woida ’80, Alameda; Karen May ’86, Kentfield; Linda Jaquez-Fissori ’92, San Anselmo, California

Corrections In the fall 2021 issue, we misspelled the name of a former Mills dance professor in the article “The Lord of Lisser.” The correct spelling is June Watanabe. We also misstated the name of a work by Igor Stravinsky in the Campus Kudos section. The correct name is “Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring).” We apologize for the errors!

WINTER 2022

A Message from the President of Mills College By Elizabeth L. Hillman

S MILLS COLLEGE prepares to

tion that have held back many, including

join

University

our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of

(read more starting on the

color) students, LGBTQIA+ students, and

opposite page) we’re moving at a fast

students with disabilities. Mills has long

pace and with high intensity, commit-

considered social justice a core institu-

ted to serving our students and com-

tional mission, and the persistent impact

munity with care and excellence as we

of anti-Black racism led the board to pri-

transform. We’re also committed to pre-

oritize a greater understanding of how

serving the College’s core values during

discrimination has affected learning.

Northeastern

the transition and beyond, including our

During the 2020–21 academic year, the

commitment to equity and access for

board’s Antiracism Working Group met

those underserved by other institutions

16 times. Led by trustee Deborah Wood

of higher education.

’75, the working group helped the board

To give you a sense of why I believe

understand and appreciate multiple per-

we’ll be able to bring Mills’ values with

spectives on the experience of racism at

us into the transition ahead, I want to

Mills, its history, and efforts to address

describe how the Board of Trustees of

it. The working group heard “both pain-

Mills College—and our entire commu-

ful experiences and inspiring advocacy”

nity—embraced antiracism during a year

as it developed “a deeper appreciation for

in which we faced extraordinary chal-

the complexity of these issues on Mills’

and career development to historically

lenge from within, as our own alumnae

campus and in other college and uni-

marginalized racial and ethnic commu-

association sued us, and without, as the

versity campuses and learning environ-

nities, women, and gender nonbinary

global pandemic continued and Mills’ fis-

ments.” Trustees engaged in small group

individuals. Mills College will continue

cal crisis deepened.

conversations, heard from equity scholars

to support LGBTQIA+ students through

In 2020 and 2021, trustees at Mills

and advocates—such as Mills’ own Wendi

the Mills Institute and across our cam-

launched a concerted effort to begin to

Williams, dean of the Mills College School

pus. Already, Northeastern’s publications

address the crisis of racism with a collab-

of Education; Denise Herd of the Othering

are expanding awareness of our faculty’s

orative, multifaceted effort. Through an

and Belonging Institute at the University

scholarship in queer studies and more; a

Antiracism Working Group that formed in

of California, Berkeley; and Brenda Allen,

much-clicked-on Northeastern story fea-

the wake of the murder of George Floyd

president of Lincoln University—as they

tured Mance in an interview about the new

on May 25, 2020, and the global demon-

completed a six-month syllabus. Trustees

bisexual Superman. We’re excited to have

strations for racial equity and justice that

also heard from many Mills stakehold-

Northeastern’s media team sharing ideas

followed, the Board of Trustees articu-

ers, including members of the Latinx Task

and insight from Mills College, to bring

lated a new commitment to antiracism

Force; Black Faculty and Staff Association;

programs like Barbara Lee Distinguished

in October 2020, launched an education

Black Student Collective; AAMC Alumnae

Chair in Women’s Leadership Susan

and training program for trustees about

of Color Committee; Asian Pacific Islander

Stryker’s trans studies series—streamed

systemic racism that took place from

Students

Asian/

and archived at Mills Performing Arts—

January to June 2021, and reported on the

Middle Eastern/Asian Pacific Islanders;

to Northeastern, and to launch new pro-

board’s and College’s antiracism efforts

Indigenous Women’s Alliance; the Race,

grams that reflect the College’s values

in October 2021. With Mills’ new merger

Gender and Sexuality Studies and Ethnic

such as the Leading Social Change spring

with Northeastern, those efforts continue.

Studies

semester for Northeastern students that

Our commitment to antiracism will be

Antiracism Team; White Accountability

at the center of both the Mills Institute,

Group; and staff, including the special

Recognizing the value that every per-

described further by Ajuan Mance and

assistant to the president for equity and

son brings to the Mills community—and

Marilyn Schuster on page 6, and Mills

inclusion and team leaders in the Division

creating opportunities for every learner to

College at Northeastern University.

of Student Life and Provost’s Office.

excel and thrive—are goals that will con-

Alliance;

Southeast

Departments;

Intersectional

will begin in January at Mills.

The College’s history is marked by both

Our board and College leadership are

tinue to require reflection, commitment,

courageous pursuit of equity and opportu-

committed to making social justice and

and ingenuity. In Northeastern, Mills has

nity and a failure to overcome the harms

antiracism key tenets of the Mills Institute,

found a partner that can help us realize

of racism and other forms of discrimina-

which will bring transformative pedagogy

those lofty goals long into the future.

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

The Transition Process Merging two institutions that carry more than a century of his-

The workstreams and strategy integration teams began meeting

tory apiece is no small task. At Mills, Vice President for Strategic

virtually this past fall. Most workstreams consist of 12 members,

Communications and Operations Renee Jadushlever is oversee-

with equitable representation from both schools and a variety

ing the project.

of departments and disciplines. Each is overseen by both Mills

Alongside her Northeastern counterpart, Senior Vice Provost

and Northeastern area leaders, with designees to assist the leads.

and Senior Vice Chancellor Mary Ludden, Jadushlever has assem-

Northeastern is also providing five project managers to keep the

bled teams into 10 distinct “workstreams” that will collaborate

work moving.

across campuses to tackle the many questions, large and small, that arise as Mills and Northeastern come together.

College,” Jadushlever says. “I encourage everyone to be curious

The workstreams cover:

and engaged, to think boldly, and to remain focused on the work

Read mor e: mills.edu/ merger

ahead of us, including centering equity and antiracism.” There are more than 100 members of the Mills faculty and staff who are engaged with the transition, with expansion likely as the spring semester gets underway. GREER RI V ER A

• Teaching & Learning • Student Life • People • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion • Accreditation & Compliance • Enrollment Management • Campus Planning • Administrative • Information Technology • Marketing

“I consider this one of the most critical roles I have been tasked with during my time at Mills. This is a consequential time for the

In addition, there are three strategy integration teams that handle areas informing multiple workstreams. They are: • Research • Advancement • B2B (Corporate Engagement)

Northeastern pilots spring social justice program at Mills While the merger between Mills and Northeastern University

Since the September 14 announcement of the planned

won’t be complete until later this year, a new academic pro-

merger between the two institutions, Northeastern officials

gram at the College this spring will get the ball rolling.

have praised the College’s history of social justice activism and

Leading Social Change will commence on the Mills campus during the 2022 spring semester, bringing 20–25 current

advocacy, and in announcing the establishment of Leading Social Change, that legacy was brought to the fore.

Northeastern undergraduate students from Boston to Oakland

“Mills has a long history of programs that focus on social

to learn from Mills faculty members on advocacy surrounding

change, equity, and justice and we were excited to build a

any number of issues. The core of the program is a four-credit

program that will allow students to learn from leaders in the

course called Leadership for Change, with 15 additional courses

Mills community, and in the broader Oakland community

available that cover everything from sociology and business to

as well,” said Chris Gallagher, Northeastern’s vice chancellor

criminal justice and race and ethnic relations.

for global learning opportunities and an English professor, in

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend exist-

Northeastern’s announcement about the program.

ing justice-based events at Mills, including Tech Intersections:

“The Mills Leadership Scholars will enjoy robust engagement

Womxn of Color in Computing (scheduled for January 29;

and dialogue around racial, gender, and social justice topics

see page 10) and Unfinished: Actualizing an Intersectional

with the Mills community of learners and teachers within the

Antiracist Future (dates TBA), hosted by the Center for

classroom and campus,” added Pat Hardaway, the Mills interim

Transformative Action. The students who take part in the

provost and vice president of academic affairs.

program will be dubbed Mills Leadership Scholars, and Mills undergraduates will be able to take advantage of these courses and conferences as well. WINTER 2022

The Mills Institute Comes to Life By Ajuan Mance and Marilyn R. Schuster ’65 What is an Institute? In the weeks and months following President Hillman’s March

• Participants expressed a shared desire to serve teachers,

announcement that Mills College would transition into a

researchers, students, the local community, and alums,

non-degree-granting institute, this question was asked many

through research and educational programs, both revenue-

times. Sometimes incredulously, sometimes rhetorically, and

generating and subsidized, for young aspiring students, and

sometimes with guarded optimism. However it was expressed,

for lifelong learning.

though, the meaning was clear: Members of the Mills community, neighbors, allies, and friends wondered how an institute could replace the Mills we have known and loved. Of course, much has happened since then. The merger with Northeastern University that was announced in September 2021 will allow the Mills campus to continue as a degreegranting educational hub, serving undergraduates and graduate students. Mills at Northeastern will be able to serve its Oakland neighbors more effectively, offering educational programs and supporting BIPOC and women-owned businesses.

• The favorite location for the Institute is Mills Hall, with access to campus facilities such as labs and studios.

The Vision Building on the legacy of Mills College, the Mills Institute strives to meet changing educational needs in higher education and research issues related to gender and racial justice and the advancement of women, gender nonbinary individuals, and communities of color.

Northeastern University will provide significant start-up

The Mission

funds to launch the Mills Institute from a position of strength.

The Mills Institute is committed to the advancement of gender

In April, President Hillman asked us to take the lead in listening to different groups in the Mills community to find out what they would like a Mills Institute to be, to define a vision from the ground up that would carry forward the legacy of Mills College.

and racial justice through programs and partnerships that support transformative teaching and learning, research, and career development for women, gender nonbinary individuals, and historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities.

An Institute Design That’s Distinctly Mills We used a “design thinking” approach to engage a comprehensive cross-section of the Mills community to create an Institute that would carry the Mills legacy forward. We called on the skills and experience of a veteran of IDEO, an international design and consulting firm. The process we developed was collaborative, involving broad outreach and intensive small-group discussions with Mills constituencies (faculty, students, staff, alums, and trustees), representing deep experience with the College, past and present, from diverse points of view. We found remarkable similarity in the responses of the various groups: • After expressing sadness and regret at the loss of a college that has been so important to all of us, the discussion participants were creative and enthusiastic about what the Mills Institute could be and do; • All groups recognized that the Mills transition is part of much larger changes in American higher ed, evident for years and accelerated by the pandemic; • Many saw that the Institute could potentially have a broad impact in addressing demographic changes and educational needs, both locally and nationally;

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Facts about the Merger While there are many details that are being worked out about the impending merger of Mills College and Northeastern University, a number of core tenets are already in place: Like many institutions of higher education, Mills College and Northeastern University have agreed to merge to provide expanded opportunities for students. Mills will benefit from an influx of resources that will enable the College to continue to excel in serving women, first-generation, and BIPOC students, while Northeastern will gain a bicoastal presence to strengthen its global campus network. Mills College at Northeastern University will continue to engage with Mills alumnae. Mills alumnae will benefit from tuition discounts offered to Northeastern graduates, reunions hosted on the Mills campus, and access to Reinhardt Alumnae House. Mills and Northeastern will provide transition counseling and financial support to help each student evaluate options for continuing, and funding, their degree work. This support will enable currently enrolled students to complete their degrees without increases in anticipated costs. While we want as many students as possible to remain at Mills, we have offered those who are interested in transferring to another institution the opportunity to take advantage of special transfer partnerships that Mills has developed with 14 private colleges.

“For me, the most exciting thing about the Institute is its potential not only to continue the Mills mission, but to expand its reach in ways that have not been possible in the past, for new communities of learners and leaders.” –Professor of English Ajuan Mance Possible Programs The Mills Institute will support research and learning through

activities such as coding, painting, photography, or community

transformational teaching for transitional moments: from high

organizing.

school to college, from college to career or advanced study, from career to career—lifetime learning for students of all ages. Programs can be short or long, a week, a summer, a semester, or a year. They may yield certificates. Some will be highly subsidized so that students with limited resources can participate; some will generate revenue to assure the long-term viability of the Institute. Northeastern is prepared to provide significant start-up funds to launch the Institute from a position of strength. Here is a snapshot of potential programs: • A STEAM gap year (STEM fields and the arts) for students

• Intensive courses in financial literacy or in ethics and technology for all ages. • A six-week intensive program for women, nonbinary, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals to advance their business careers. • Online and on-campus enrichment programs for alumnae/i to learn a new field or refresh their knowledge. • Sponsored research programs for teachers at all levels on high-impact pedagogical practices that engage students more deeply in their own learning.

from Oakland high schools that are unable to offer college preparatory courses. Academic work along with mentoring by faculty and community leaders will help students become competitive for college admission. • Summer boot camps on the Mills campus for young women and nonbinary individuals to develop skills and creativity through

While Mills will become gender inclusive at the undergraduate level in 2022, Mills and Northeastern will develop a Mills Institute to carry on Mills’ legacy. Mills and Northeastern University will collaborate on the development of an Institute that will be designed to advance women’s leadership and empower BIPOC and first-generation students. Northeastern has committed seed money to launch and fund the Institute. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs will be offered by Mills College at Northeastern University, building on Mills’ strength as an undergraduate liberal arts college. Mills and Northeastern faculty will collaborate to determine the programs and the curriculum, and seek ways to innovate to serve future students. Northeastern will honor the terms of tenure of Mills faculty who hold a tenured position or a continuous contract and will also offer tenure-track faculty and adjunct faculty opportunities for employment. It is anticipated that enrollment growth on the Mills campus will require additional faculty. Mills College employees as of June 30, 2022 (the date the merger is expected to be completed), will become employees of Northeastern University. It is anticipated that enrollment growth on the Mills campus will require additional employees.

What’s Next? This spring, the Mills Institute team looks to recruit an executive director and to form an advisory board. More information will appear in the next issue of the Quarterly!

Read more about recent faculty and staff visits to the Mills and Northeastern campuses on page 36

The Mills and Northeastern communities will engage in transition planning and implementation for the merger. Organization-wide teams will identify operational integration opportunities and solutions. Any issues that might impact the merger agreement will be reviewed by the leadership of both institutions and by the Mills College Board of Trustees. Mills College at Northeastern University will remain a vibrant contributor to the City of Oakland and the greater Bay Area. Mills and Northeastern are already connecting with the city, local nonprofit organizations, and educational pathway programs to begin planning for the future. Northeastern will support local, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses and launch experiential learning programs that incorporate social entrepreneurship and service learning to address local and global challenges. Northeastern will retain the Mills College name and preserve and cultivate the Mills campus for educational purposes for generations to come. Named buildings and hallmark resources such as the F.W. Olin Library, the Mills College Art Museum, and fine arts facilities will continue to be at the core of a Mills College at Northeastern education.

WINTER 2022

Mills Matters Alum nominated to UN Human Rights Council On October 21, 2021, President Joe

for protection of fundamental human

Biden announced his intent to nomi-

and political rights,” it described. That

nate Michèle Nichols Taylor ’88 to serve

includes being a board member of the

as the United States representative

National Center for Civil and Human

to the United Nations Human Rights

Rights and serving as its “Power to

Council, a position that carries the rank

Inspire” chair and development chair,

of ambassador during her tenure of ser-

as well as consulting with the White

vice. A statement from the White House

House on the 20th anniversary of

listed some of Taylor’s many accom-

Violence Against Women Act.

plishments and careers: “Taylor has served in a number of roles advocating

In addition to her work in civil rights, Taylor is also a strong antiSemitism advocate. Taylor, whose

NATIONAL CENTER FOR CI V IL AND HUM AN RIGHTS

mother survived the Holocaust, has

Taylor’s 1988 senior portrait

served as a member of the International Holocaust Remebrance Alliance’s

Michèle Nichols Taylor

The nomination does still require

Committee on State Sponsored

confirmation by the Senate Foreign

Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial, and

Relations Committee and the full

the United States Holocaust Memorial

Senate. Taylor, who graduated from

Museum’s Council and Committee on

Mills with a double major in math-

Conscience. She also worked in various

ematics and psychology, later received

roles for the North Carolina Outward

a master’s degree in math from Boston

Bound School for nearly 20 years, where

University. She lives in Atlanta with

she has served on the board and also as

her husband, Kenneth, and she has

an instructor and course director.

two grown children.

Former Professor of Education writes book on school’s history Since 1926, the Mills College Children’s

the first half of the book to foundational

of education, the book was a natural

School (MCCS) has conducted rich and

ideas on education from past to present.

product of her time at Mills.

varied research on child behavior and

“I hoped to link those from the past,

But that research wasn’t the only

development—a history that Professor

both internationally and nationally,

thing she accomplished while on the

Emerita of Education Edna Mitchell

with the gradual development of the

Mills faculty. In addition to her work

wanted to document in its own book.

Children’s School at Mills,” Mitchell says.

with the Department of Education,

Published independently last April,

The second half of the book is

Mitchell also served as the director of

Early Childhood Education Through

dedicated to Mitchell’s personal experi-

Graduate Studies, was founding director

the Ages: A Partial History of the Mills

ences with MCCS. When she joined

of the Women’s Leadership Program,

College Children’s School covers the

the Mills faculty in 1973 as head of the

and created an evening degree program

development of European and US

Department of Education, coming from

for non-traditional-age working women.

educational practice, with final focus

Smith College, she was eager to work

on the evolution of MCCS as the first

with the Children’s School after positive

the title of her book, Mitchell explains:

campus laboratory school in the

experiences with the laboratory school

“Many others who have been part of

western United States. The book is

on the Smith campus. Her research

the Children’s School will have more

available for purchase on Amazon.

focused on children’s play in particular,

versions to add. [...] There could have

as well as toys and playgrounds as socio

been many more voices, but that is for

ested in the development of teaching as

cultural influences. Combined with her

another author to solicit and organize.

a profession, which is why she devoted

interest in history and the philosophies

My book is not our final history.”

Mitchell had always been deeply inter-

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

About the phrase “partial history” in

Mills College at a glance The 2021–21 student body has 817 students representing 33 states and 13 countries Student body, 2021–22 Undergraduates .................................................................... 446 First year ..................................................................................38 Transfer .................................................................................... 47 Living on campus .................................................................45% Students of color .................................................................. 66% First-generation ................................................................... 44% Resumers .................................................................................. 16% Graduate students ............................................................... 371 Women ......................................................................................82% Men .............................................................................................18% Students of color ................................................................... 61%

Faculty

full time

part time

Total ..................................................... 77................................. 102 Female faculty ............................... 73%...............................77% Faculty of color ............................ 44% ............................. 56% Student-to-faculty ratio ......................................................... 7:1 Average class size ...................................................................... 8

Top undergraduate majors, 2021–22 Psychology English Sociology Biology Studio Art

Top graduate programs, 2021–22 Education English Public Policy Pre-Medical MBA

Affording Mills Undergraduates Tuition ................................................................................ $29,340 % receiving financial aid .................................................. 89% Total aid ............................................................................... $9.8M Amount funded by Mills .............................................. $5.4M

Budget and fundraising highlights, 2020–21 Annual operating expense budget ............ $63.5 million Endowment value (6/30/21) ....................... $225.6 million

Sources of gifts Alumnae: $2.6 million.........................................................36% Estates: $1.8 million.............................................................25% Foundations & Corporations: $1.1 million...............15% Trustees: $0.9 million..........................................................12% Parents, friends, others: $0.9 million ........................12%

Graduate students Tuition ............................................................................... $34,833 % receiving financial aid ................................................... 91% Total aid ............................................................................... $5.7M Amount funded by Mills................................................ $1.5M For undergraduates, 86% receive some portion of their aid directly from Mills, and the average award is $26,995.

WINTER 2022

Calendar Mills College Art Museum The museum is open 11:00 am–4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday and until 7:30 pm Wednesday. Admission is free. Visit mcam .mills.edu for more information. Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of the Paulson Fontaine Press ■ January 22–March 13 Opening reception, January 22, 5:00-7:00 pm Personal to Political presents 14 artists who capture the personal narratives and political discourses of African Americans across the country, reflecting a collective experience expressed in uniquely individual ways. At the heart of this show is Berkeley-based fine art print studio Paulson Fontaine Press, which over the past two decades has developed an unparalleled roster of internationally celebrated artists—such as Martin Puryear, Kerry James Marshall, and the Gee’s Bend Quilters— who characterize the fresh perspectives that are today’s avant-garde. In addition to the 44 prints from Paulson Fontaine Press, the exhibition includes a selection of studio works by several of the exhibition artists including paintings, collage, sculpture, and quilts. Unseen: The Hidden Labor of Women ■ January 22–March 13 Opening reception, January 22, 5:00-7:00 pm Featuring works from Mills College Art Museum’s permanent collection, Unseen: The Hidden Labor of Women examines multiple feminist perspectives on women’s labor. Curated by students in the fall 2021 Museum

Artist Lecture: Lava Thomas ■ February 9, 7:00-8:30 pm, Danforth Lecture Hall Lava Thomas’ work explores issues of race, gender, representation, and memorialization. She draws from her family’s Southern roots, sociopolitical events, intersectional feminism, and African American protest and devotional traditions to amplify visibility, healing, and empowerment in the face of erasure, trauma, and oppression.

Studies Workshop, the exhibition highlights the traditionally under-recognized emotional, physical, and domestic work of women as caregivers, community organizers, professionals, and artists. The exhibition also features new acquisitions by contemporary artists associated with NIAD Art Center in Richmond, California, a progressive art studio for adult artists with developmental disabilities.

Music Now Concert Series Visit performingarts.mills.edu for more information on times and tickets. February 5 ■ Jean Macduff Vaux Composerin-Residence Nicole Mitchell February 23 ■ Paul Flight and Ensemble, playing music by Barbara Strozzi March 11-12 ■ Signal Flow Festival November 12-13 ■ Dewing Piano Recital, featuring Samantha Ege

Tech Intersections: Womxn of Color in Computing Visit techintersections.org to register. January 29, 9:00 am–5:00 pm

BHM365 Black History Month at Mills this February will include a full slate of events. Visit mills.edu/student-life/student-activities/ heritage-months/black-history-month-365.php for a complete schedule.

“Between Two Worlds” by Radcliffe Bailey, part of Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of the Paulson Fontaine Press

Bert Gordon discusses Mills history online the history of Mills. As if it were another

who expressed

Oakland Public Library has explored dif-

lecture for his students, he started with

concerns about

ferent ways to engage the local commu-

the beginning of the College’s story in

the future of

nity safely at home, including through

1852 and worked his way to the present

Mills, but Gordon

educational webinars. Hosted by the

day, including the pending merger with

addressed those

Oakland History Center, the Fall History

Northeastern University. His

fears with hope

Series covered important places and

extensive presentation used pictures

organizations tied to Oakland, and on

from various periods of the College’s

October 27, 2021, it presented “History &

history, and even quotes from past

Legacy of Mills College.” The video from

issues of the Quarterly.

that session is now available for viewing

At the end of the presentation, he

ALLISUN NOVAK

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the

for the next generation of students: “There is a legacy, and that legacy will continue, even with

answered questions from viewers in the

whatever changes occur. Maybe I’m being

Led by Professor Emeritus of History

audience—including alumnae who took

optimistic, but I think that the legacy of

Bert Gordon, the webinar dove deep into

his classes in the past. There were some

Mills is so powerful.”

at youtu.be/wHw-1rVXsSA.

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Campus kudos A selection of recent achievements by faculty, staff, and students Mills College was recognized as one of

American Activism: Building

the first 35 colleges in the United States

Movements for Liberation

to be named a Fulbright Hispanic-

(University of Washington

Serving Institution Leader. On October

Press, 2022). She authored

27, 2021, the US Department of State’s

the chapter “Organizing

Bureau of Educational and Cultural

Wherever Your Feet Land:

Affairs recognized a select number

Reconceptualizing Writing

of Hispanic-Serving Institutions for

and Writing Instruction in

their outstanding participation in the

the Legacy of Asian American

Fulbright Program, including Mills.

Activism.”

The Mills Music Department was

Priya Shimpi Driscoll

Adjunct Professor of English Kim

Ajuan Mance

when they spoke out against sexual harassment and abuse at the renowned

mentioned in an interview with

Magowan participated in a podcast

Academia de la Danza Mexicana in

frequent collaborators Devendra Banhart

hosted by Colorado Review, which

Mexico City.

and Noah Georgeson, MFA ’03, on the

was released on August 30, 2021.

website Brooklyn Vegan. When speak-

In the episode “In Conversation with

Simon was the first Māori scholar to

ing about his inspirations, Georgeson

Michelle Ross and Kim Magowan,”

be awarded a Mills College fellowship,

praised the Center for Contemporary

the two authors talked about their

which will run until April. As noted by

Music and listed the names of other

latest co-written short story,

NZ Herald, he intends to use his fellow-

famous music alumnae/i and professors,

“Twenty-Three Safety Manuals.”

ship to explore political philosophy and

such as Morton Subotnick, MA ’59;

Professor of Ethnic Studies and

Visiting scholar Hemopereki

theory from a Māori viewpoint. Barbara Lee Distinguished Chair in

John Cage; Terry Riley; and Pauline

English Ajuan Mance presented her

Oliveros.

artwork in the August 2021 exhibition

Women’s Leadership Susan Stryker

Early Childhood Education

Black Art from the Edge of the Universe

was mentioned in a CNN article about

Department Chair Priya Shimpi

at the African American Art & Culture

a historic act of transgender resistance

Driscoll was the distinguished scholar

Complex in San Francisco.

against the police, which happened

speaker at the Institute of Cognitive

Associate Professor of Studio Art

three years before the Stonewall riots

Science at the University of Colorado,

Yulia Pinkusevich took part in the

in 1969. The article, published August

Boulder on October 1, 2021.

art exhibition Reclaimed: The Art

16, 2021, reported that the event was

of Recology, which ran through

almost lost to history until Stryker

Fenley won a 2021 Bessie Award in the

October 17, 2021, at the Bedford Gallery

found a mention of it in historical

Outstanding Revived Work category,

in Walnut Creek. The exhibition

archives related to New York City’s 1972

and was also nominated as Outstanding

presented the work of artists who

Pride March memorializing Stonewall.

Performer for State of Darkness. The

participated in the artist-in-residence

37th Annual Bessie Awards ceremony

program at the Recology San Francisco

received the Cadogan Scholarship Award

was live-streamed on October 11,

Recycling and Transfer Station.

at the Annual Murphy and Cadogan

Professor Emerita of Dance Molissa

Kelsey Rae Thomas, MFA ’22,

Contemporary Art Awards Exhibition,

2021. Fenley was also mentioned on

Ariela Ronay-Jinich, MA ’23, was the

The Vinyl Factory in an article about

focus of an article by The Jewish News of

which ran from September 11 to

Ryuichi Sakamoto, who had composed

North America. Published on September

October 3, 2021. Not only did her art

the soundtrack for one of her perfor-

22, 2021, the piece focused on Ronay-

feature in the exhibition at SOMArts

mances, and in another article by Dance

Jinich’s experiences growing up in the

Cultural Center, she also received

Magazine, she discussed how she ben-

Latinx-Jewish community.

mentorship from curator Kevin B. Chen.

efited from the time and studio access at Mills to choreograph.

Dance instructor Stephanie Sherman was interviewed for an

Dean of the School of Education Wendi Williams wrote an article

article by Holtville Tribune, published

for The Hill to address housing discrim-

Lee contributed to the forthcom-

September 26, 2021. She praised a group

ination in light of the recent nationwide

ing anthology Contemporary Asian

of her former performing arts students

initiative “House America.”

Professor of Education Katherine

WINTER 2022

Chosen Family

These grads have held monthly sleepovers since their time at Mills in the early ’90s. The pandemic barely slowed them down. By Lila Goehring ’21

s students, Victoria Needham

of others: “Each of us called upon the

as a resuming student—a population of

Williams ’94 and Laura Sherman ’95 first

others in a way that brought about our

students over 23 years old. “I felt like

met early one morning as both waited to

highest good,” Laura reflected. A team

Mills wouldn’t be a place for me,” she

meet an advisor in Cowell Building. The

was born, and it has only grown stronger

said. “I thought, it’s in the city... a lot of

professor never showed, and a sudden

in the nearly 30 years since.

rich, young, blonde women go there.”

power outage left the two in complete

Their kinship is unlike most for rea-

But she came to find that Mills nurtured

darkness. It was then that Victoria pro-

sons beyond its longevity: They are each

students from all paths, ages, and hair

fessed her first words to Laura: “I think

12 years apart in age. They have gathered

colors. “I could fit in,” she realized.

we are supposed to be very good friends

for sleepovers every month for decades.

Still, the college experience is differ-

in this life.”

Their commitment to friendship itself is

ent for each resuming student, many of

fierce. And they found each other as Mills

whom must juggle work and family com-

tears upon recalling this moment. “I just

students. One destination, many paths pro-

mitments while in school. What resumers

felt safe with her,” Victoria said of Laura.

foundly defines their journey to each other

share is the same trait that has sustained

Both were still uncertain they would

and has kept them glued together ever

the Sisters’ friendship as long as it has,

find places to plug in as older students—

since. They call themselves “the Sisters.”

and that is intentionality. Upon her return

The two recently failed to hold back

Victoria had spent time working in the

“Some romantic relationships have an

to education, what Victoria needed was

fields of aging and affordable housing

end date,” Victoria said. “This does not.”

focus: “I’d never used a computer before,”

before coming to Mills, in addition to

she recalled. “I wanted no TV in my [dorm]

her full-time job throughout her college

Resumers and a “Traditional” Student

years. In the quiet moments before their

Coming back to school at Mills wasn’t

who were traditionally aged were still

Mills journeys came to life, Laura and

an easy decision for Victoria, especially

used to learning.”

raising her family; and Laura still held

room—I needed to really study, because I’d been away for so long, and all the students

Victoria seemingly fell out of the sky and into each other’s lives. The duo soon met Jennifer Williams ’95 (no relation), a traditional student who enrolled at Mills immediately after graduating from high school, in a communications class taught by Professor Nancy Burroughs (then known as Nancy Burroughs-Denhart). An in-class activity prompted students to discuss each other’s learning styles, and it was their differences—not just in age—that brought them together as much as similarities. “Just in case I hadn’t noticed before, people don’t think like me, they don’t write like me, they don’t move in the world like me,” Laura said. And there’s nothing like a group project to discover the strengths 12

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

From left: Victoria Needham Williams ’94, Jennifer Williams ’95, and Laura Sherman ’95.

For Laura, a return to school meant juggling full-time work with her studies. “A professor said to me, ‘Coming back to school at this age and paying for it... you’re going to value it more,’” she said. “By that time, I took my educational experience very seriously.” Befriending

both

women

framed

Jennifer’s Mills experience, which became anything but “traditional” despite her age. At Mills, she explained, it was perfectly common to see a group of students of all ages studying together in the library or eating lunch on the meadow. “The multigenerational element is a real opportunity at Mills, and I don’t think it’s an opportunity in every environment,” she said. Resuming students have long found

Jennifer Williams painted three of the plates seen here— one for each Sister. Each plate includes the Japanese proverb “There is no better mirror than an old friend.”

a haven at Mills—a population that has come to make up nearly a fifth of undergraduate students—and with them bring experiences as parents, dedicated schol-

coming home. Laura was out walking her

together, to guide each other into new

ars, and experts in every field imagin-

dog; Victoria was arranging an extensive

phases of life, and words like grounding

able. “I feel like I benefited from [their]

snack table; and Jennifer soon arrived and

came up often as they reflected on their

life experience,” Jennifer said. “That per-

greeted us all with big hugs. It’s custom-

decades together. “I really felt cemented

centage of the student population really

ary for the Sisters to take turns hosting

with you both when we started getting

contributes to the culture in a way that

the gathering and to bring dishes for a

together for overnights,” Jennifer said

accelerates the dialogue.” Laura and

potluck-style dinner. This time, Victoria

to Victoria and Laura of the tradition

Victoria’s devotion to (and apprecia-

made lasagna, Jenn mixed a hefty salad,

that started during their time at Mills.

tion for) their studies on top of other life

and Laura rushed to stick garlic bread in

“We started sharing each other’s lives in

responsibilities was apparent to Jennifer,

the oven at the last minute—just as we

a different way, and that depth of time

and it motivated her to find that same

were sitting down at a fully set table, com-

changed our friendship.”

intention in her own education.

plete with a tablecloth and candles.

At every gathering, each Sister has

Completing a college education at

It was Victoria who instigated the

a chance to tell all of her stories from

any age isn’t easy, and finding lifelong

annual December tradition of mapping

the month in between: “We make lists

friends who choose you year after year

out sleepover dates for the coming year.

before we get together about things we

is no simple task. But not only did Mills

The three sit down and block off the

want to talk about,” Laura explained.

give the Sisters the opportunity to find

dates, which from that moment forth

And along with hours of catching up and

one another, it provided them with an

are untouchable. “This is a sacred time,”

sharing food, there’s room for fun and

empowering environment to push them-

Victoria said. “I don’t have my kids nearby

ritual: I joined the Sisters in a candlelit,

selves beyond their limits. “I was scram-

and I need family. I need this.” Even dur-

rib-cracking session of Mad Lib writing,

bling and struggling and it was all so

ing the pandemic, when they could not be

where we summoned up nouns like Ethel

incredibly worthwhile, and it defined

together in person, their monthly Zoom

Moore Hall and Founders. After the sun

me,” Laura said. “Didn’t Mills define us?”

calls lasted six hours or so. When Laura

had gone down, we moved inside to the

A resounding yes echoed from everyone.

speaks about this unique friendship to

living room, where Laura brought out a

others, it’s not its durability or Mills roots

set of runes—small tokens used for divi-

that catches attention as much as the fre-

nation. Each of us took turns choosing a

I joined the Sisters for their first in-

quent sleepovers. “I don’t have anything

rune, and the person to our left opened

person (and vaccinated) sleepover since

else like it in my life,” Laura professed.

the corresponding book to read about

Something to Depend on the start of the pandemic, and even though

This sacred time each month took

what it meant in the scope of our lives.

I was just staying for dinner, I ended up

them from friends to family and contin-

Each word was read and received with

spending eight hours in their small yet

ues to bring them closer together: The

a level of care usually reserved for bed-

strong universe of sisterhood. Arriving

Sisters, who now range in age from 48

time stories. In this moment, the years

at Victoria’s San Leandro house felt like

to 72, see the value of growing older

spoke for themselves.  WINTER 2022

Remaking the Art Museum By Jessica Lipsky

The traditional canon is notorious for its exclusion of many underrepresented groups. The movement to change it up has engaged the talents of many in the Mills community.

HE ARTIST NICK CAVE’S LARGE, multimedia

While Cave’s work is certainly within the

“soundsuits” immediately draw the eye. They’re

realm of what HoMA would collect (and has been

futuristic and avant-garde, engaging and impos-

exhibited internationally), anchoring the gallery

ing, designed to make viewers contemplate ideas

around a Black artist whose work discusses race

of space and safety. One of the soundsuits from

and police brutality is fairly novel and among the

Cave’s 8:46 collection—a reference to the amount

solutions to a wide-ranging lack of diverse rep-

of time that Derek Chauvin was thought to have

resentation in art museums. Norton-Westbrook,

kneeled on George Floyd’s neck—now anchors

one of the youngest-ever woman directors of a

a gallery at the Honolulu Museum of Art dedi-

major US museum, notes that “rather than mak-

cated to the depiction of human form from the

ing certain works a footnote, it’s actually about

Classical period to present.

putting those works that are front and center in

Chicago-based Cave began developing sound-

the narrative.”

suits in general after the police beating of Rodney

Fine art museums have been reckoning with

King in 1991, and his series encourages viewers

issues of representation and diversity for years,

to reflect on the myriad physical responses to vio-

and are generally making efforts to present work

lence. “It’s this incredibly powerful, vibrant work.

from more artists of color, women, and other

The idea of this work is that somebody could

underrepresented groups. Yet the stats aren’t

wear it and be transformed, and be concealed

great: A 2019 study found that 85 percent of art-

simultaneously,” says Halona Norton-Westbrook

ists in 18 major US museums were white, and 87

’05, director and CEO of the Honolulu Museum

percent were male. The path to equity is long

of Art (HoMA).

and burdened by complex power structures and systemic inequality—all of which have been further brought to light during the pandemic and civil rights uprisings. Museums across the country have responded in a variety of ways, from local community-engagement initiatives to deaccessioning, or officially removing works. Many are trying to recontextualize encyclopedic collections to develop narratives that are more relevant to contemporary audiences.

Halona Norton-Westbrook ‘05 in the galleries at the Honolulu Museum of Art, where she began work as the museum’s director in early 2020. Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo. opposite A “soundsuit” by artist Nick Cave on display in a gallery that celebrates the human form at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of Honolulu Museum of Art. 14

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Perspectives from Other Alums

Norton-Westbrook is one such professional and

States to annex the islands—giving the museum

has focused her career on the history of collect-

colonial roots in a place that has been continu-

ing and the development of curation. She majored

ously shaped by that legacy.

in art history and museums while working at the

For her part, Norton-Westbook uses her expe-

Mills College Art Museum (MCAM), then received

rience as a curator to consider “the stories that

her Ph.D. in London. She spent six years at the

we tell with the objects, and being transparent

Toledo Museum of Art, beginning as a prestigious

that those stories always do have a point of view.”

Andrew W. Mellon Leadership fellow, then becom-

While she has been lauded for her innovative

ing the director of curatorial affairs. She also

approach to exhibits, operations, and fundrais-

appeared in the video “Turning Uncle Tom’s Cabin

ing in Toledo, Norton-Westbook believes that all

upside down,” produced by Smarthistory, which

museums must attempt to tell more inclusive and

critiqued the sculpture “Topsy and the Golden

accessible narratives, which is especially impor-

Fleece” by artist Alison Saar.

tant in a place like Hawaii.

Norton-Westbrook, whose parents lived on Oahu

Broader societal conversations around decol-

before she was born, joined HoMA just 10 weeks

onization are also furthering the push for

before the pandemic, becoming part of an institu-

thoughtful evolution within and surrounding

tion with deep ties to Mills. Namely, the museum

art museums. “This sense of urgency is positive,

itself was founded by an alumna: Anna Rice

enhancing not only the frequency but the depth

Cooke, who attended the College in 1871–1872 as a

of conversations around the future of art muse-

Seminary student.

ums and how they can grow in new and different

She spoke at the 1927 opening of the museum, which originated with the Cooke family home

directions to authentically connect with those in their communities,” Norton-Westbrook says.

and art collection. “That our children of many

At MCAM, improving representation and diver-

nationalities and races, born far from the centers

sity includes adding to and reframing the exist-

of art, may receive an intimation of their own

ing collection. MCAM already features a sizable

cultural legacy and wake to the ideals embod-

number of female artists, but must consider “the

ied in the arts of their neighbors,” she said.

content of our exhibitions and making sure that

“That Hawaiians, Americans, Chinese, Japanese,

we’re centering women artists, artists of color, and

Koreans, Filipinos, Northern Europeans, and all

LGBTQ artists,” says Director Stephanie Hanor.

other people living here [...] may perceive a foun-

“So we’re really thinking about who’s here in our

dation on which a new culture, enriched by the

community, and making sure that all of that is

old strains, may be built in the islands.” Cooke’s

represented in our exhibitions and our programs.”

parents, however, came to Hawaii as missionar-

Hanor continues: “It’s hard to feel welcome if

ies, and her husband, Charles Montague Cooke,

you don’t see yourself somehow represented in

was a businessman who advocated for the United

what is being presented at a museum.”

Diva Zumaya ’10 is one of the few women of color who specializes in European painting and sculpture, particularly from the 17th century, but a love for cultural properties like Lord of the Rings led her down this unusual path. Now an assistant curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, she’s naturally come up against obstacles in a very white field, though Zumaya counts herself lucky when compared to a colleague at a different institution who was told they couldn’t use the word “colonialism.” “I am so lucky to work at a place that is physically and figuratively rebuilding itself into something completely new,” she says.

After a museum career that’s taken her across the United States, Patricia McDonnell ’78 is currently the director of the Wichita Art Museum in Kansas. The organization has been diving deep into diversity and inclusion work, and for her, it all boils down to a simple truth that every museum should keep in mind: “One of the things we really have to notice is the experience people have when they come into the museum,” she says. “Does everyone feel welcome? Do they see themselves reflected in what’s on the walls? Do they have a sense of belonging?”

WINTER 2022

Umpqua Valley Arts Association in Roseburg, Oregon, is a community arts organization with five gallery spaces for work from artists across the country. As exhibitions program director, Sandee McGee ’05 intentionally staffs her committees with a broad swath of artists to bring a range of experiences and perspectives to the table. She also works to find those the association hasn’t reached yet. “Our community is constantly changing,” she says. “It’s something we continually have to work on because it’s central to our programming.”

Mills’ semester-long museum studies workshop

announced that he would step down from his

(taught by Hanor) offers students the opportunity

role, but said the move was not related to issues of

to add to the museum’s permanent collection,

inequity or racism. In August 2021, the museum

working through the entire curatorial process—

announced that it would cut several long-standing

including acquisitions. In fall 2020, students

public art and film programs—a move that was

acquired the work of artists including experi-

widely criticized as a step backward in the muse-

mental composer, sonic architect, and perfor-

um’s ongoing accessibility issues.

mance artist Guillermo Galindo, MA ’93, whose

The pandemic and Black Lives Matter move-

work brings attention to humanitarian and socio-

ment have given issues of staffing parity even

political issues. The resulting exhibition, Shifting

more urgency. COVID-19 forced mass museum

Perspectives, also included works from MCAM’s

closures and furloughs—an October 2021 report

permanent collection that the class cohort pulled

found that 228 larger institutions laid off or fur-

because of their “contemporary [..] critiques of

loughed more than 14,400 employees during the

traditional visual representations of race, culture,

early stages of the pandemic, greatly affecting

and gender,” according to the program.

lower-paid museum workers, who are often mem-

For Ellis Martin ’18, who now works in museums

bers of underrepresented groups. (SFMOMA fur-

and archiving, the museum studies workshop was

loughed more than 300 staff members.) The same

an invaluable opportunity. “It was sitting with my fellow classmates—all of us having different perspectives, insights, and ideas— coming together to try and put together a show with a really solid thesis that addressed [issues of representation],” he says. Hanor notes that students have become more interested in issues of diversity and representation over the past decade: “There’s sort of a

As the interim director of the de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University, Lauren Baines, MFA ’15 considers community engagement and collaboration as essential elements for the future of museums. Working closely with locals and students from SCU, she encourages difficult conversations in order to decolonize the art world and create authentic partnerships. “We’re supposed to be a space about learning and questioning,” she points out. “How can we become transparent as we work to practice decolonization, to practice diversification, to practice equity?” 16

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

sense of purity in museums, and to see that being opened up and examined in all sorts of ways I find really interesting.” The Bay Area’s broad museum ecosystem makes it a particularly stimulating place to be a museum studies student or observer of museum culture. “There are academic museums, which have one way of approaching the world, and there are these big monolithic museums, which are probably slower to change. And there are lots of smaller scrappy, artist-run institutions that are also doing

survey found that Black and Indigenous people

super interesting things,” Hanor says.

of color and Hispanic/Latinx respondents placed

In addition, museums can be microcosms of

more weight than white respondents on the barri-

the surrounding area by reflecting their commu-

ers that may prevent them from remaining in the

nities. Recent exhibits at the Oakland Museum

museum field, including compensation, opportu-

of California (OMCA), for example, have included

nities for advancement, and discrimination.

Pacific Worlds, which combined items from the

Hanor and Norton-Westbrook both note a genu-

museum’s collection with contemporary California

ine industry-wide desire to improve racial and gen-

Pacific Islander artwork and voices; and the mas-

der representation, though actually seeing change

sive All The Power To The People highlighted the

through to fruition can be painfully slow. Museums

complex history of the Black Panthers through art,

must navigate the needs of many stakeholders,

photography, and first-hand accounts.

including multi-layered governance structures,

Across the bay, SFMOMA has publicly struggled

as well as the desires of donors and the influence

with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, such

of community. And while these power structures

as the removal of accusations of racism made by a

should be carefully examined for bias, it’s impor-

Black former employee on the museum’s Instagram

tant to consider who’s actually at the table.

account. In February 2021, Director Neal Benezra

“The table should reflect the communities of

 Stephanie Hanor, director of the Mills College Art Museum, giving a recent tour of the museum’s stored works of art. Photo by Greer Rivera. opposite “Women’s Work is Never Done,” by Yolanda M. Lopez, was part of the Mills College Art Museum’s collection when students pulled it out of the archive for the Shifting Perspectives exhibition.

which the museum is a part,” Norton-Westbrook

more vibrant and relevant museum culture that

says, adding that more women and people of color

audiences are going to support now and in the

have come into positions of power at museums in

future,” Norton-Westbrook says.

recent years. “I worry sometimes about questioning

Nurturing students’ intellectual freedom at a

that very structure at the moment when it finally

collegiate level is also important in diversifying art

seems to be allowing people who have been in a

museum narratives. Norton-Westbrook pointed to

disadvantaged position a seat at the table.”

her own experience at Mills of pairing different

The language museums use is also important

objects to raise questions, highlight tensions, and

when considering representation, and it has a wide

analyze the relationships between works of art as

influence in how artwork is catalogued, searched

crucial learning that has benefited her career.

for, and displayed. “It’s this negotiation between

Additionally, encouraging a variety of students

trying to do as much with a large amount of

to become involved can benefit the next genera-

objects, while also not trying to ascribe language

tion of museum workers. MCAM has about a dozen

that is inappropriate, or no longer fits, or goes away

student staff members and prioritizes diversity of

from the choice of the artist,” Martin says, citing

experience within that group. “We really want

identifiers in the LGBTQIA+ community. Using

policy students in here, creative writing students,

nomenclature that’s been selected by commu-

history majors, or scientists,” Hanor says. “These

nity advocates would offer “clarity and a sense of

perspectives are really important. And what we

holding language from people’s own perspectives,

do at the museum speaks to larger issues in the

rather than an institutional perspective.”

world. Our students can see that as well.”

“A museum is like a found object,” Norton-

Regardless of the size or subject matter, muse-

Westbrook adds, citing the work of Palm Springs

ums play an important role as navigators of history.

Art Museum Executive Director Adam Lerner.

“It’s a very fine balance to strike: to tell history, to

“And it can always grow and change, but it does

question that history, and also not to be bound by

have an essence of what it is. Museums are a prod-

that history, because you’re also trying to create a

uct of society, and they bear all the problems that

new and different future,” Norton-Westbrook says.

society has within their own internal dynamics.”

“The flashlight is being shown, and things that

Pandemic-related cuts aside, the issues of repre-

felt very opaque in the past are becoming a little

sentation and equity are nothing new.

bit more public,” Hanor adds, saying that she has

Improving representation requires operational

seen her students become increasingly excited

shifts at all levels. Professional associations such

about the ways museum culture is changing in

as the Association of Art Museum Directors,

real time. “Once their eyes are open to the fact

the American Alliance of Museums, and the

that they can have some form of power in this

Association of Art Museum Curators are helping

and actually make a difference—and it’s not just

their memberships respond to societal changes

an analysis of something happening somewhere

through education with the goal of creating “a

else—that gets them excited.” 

Pamela McClusky ’75 spent some of her formative years in Africa, so it was only natural that she helped to create the African and Oceanic Art department at the Seattle Art Museum. “On the surface, people seemed accepting about it, but I heard that there were comments behind closed doors, saying that it wasn’t necessary,” she says. Now the department’s curator, she has tried to convince colleagues to accompany her on trips to broaden their horizons.

Read one more perspective from an alumna working in the museum space on the back cover.

WINTER 2022

Transitions: From Benicia to Oakland, From Seminary to College As Mills College currently faces a major change, the Quarterly takes a look at some of the other transitions the College has experienced over the course of its esteemed 170-year history. This is the first story in a series of three. By Moya Stone, MFA ’03

The Beginning

onto the brand-new campus,

On a summer day in 1865, Cyrus

and the young women let out

Mills and his wife, Susan, fresh

a “ladylike” cheer when they

from missionary work abroad,

first glimpsed their new home.

traveled to San Francisco with

Dubbed an “imposing struc-

the intent of buying a school.

ture” by the local press, the

With state universities still just

state-of-the art building could

beginning, private academies and

accommodate

seminaries were popping up all

and offered high ceilings, wide

over California. These institutions

stairways, and sunny rooms—

were often founded by evangelical

which included gas and sinks

200

students

with running water! At the

groups and modeled after wellestablished schools on the East Coast,

site, and Cyrus almost immediately began

time this impressive construction, even-

offering basic education as well as music

looking across the Carquinez Strait into

tually to be named Mills Hall, was consid-

and art.

Contra Costa County and beyond. The

ered the “finest for school purposes this side of the Rocky Mountains.”

When Cyrus and Susan arrived, they

couple first purchased seven and a half

were presented with a possible sale by

acres near what later became Lake Merritt,

Addie Justina Mason, Class of 1876,

Mary Atkins, whom they had met the year

but quickly determined it was too close to

recounted their arrival in her Mills remem-

before while she was passing through

the “village of Oakland,” according to Elias

brances: “I can still smell the tar weed

Hawaii on her way to China. Atkins was the

Olan James in his 1953 book, The Story of

of the surrounding fields and hillsides.

first individual head of the Young Ladies’

Cyrus and Susan Mills.

That lovely sunny day of the opening of

Seminary, founded by Protestant men in

Cyrus wanted space, and a 25-acre tract

Mills Seminary, we all came chattering in

1852 and located in Benicia, the Solano

with two streams running through it along

through the middle front door. Mrs. Mills

County town that served as the capital of

the old San Leandro Road kept drawing

came out to greet us, though she was

California from 1853–1854. From its earli-

the couple’s attention. Groundbreaking

a very busy woman, for many mothers

est days, the Seminary attracted an array

took place in June 1870, and at graduation

accompanied their offspring and [...] beds

of young women from the Mother Lode

in Benicia the next year, he announced the

and meals had to be prepared for them.”

region in the Sierra foothills as well as

next school year would begin two months

Sacramento, Stockton, and San Francisco.

later at the new site 30 miles south.

Enrollment ebbed and flowed, rising to as

The move from Benicia to what was then called Seminary Park, Brooklyn (five miles from Oakland), was a major

many as 149, all housed in one building.

The Move

Students took “preparatory” classes such

It was a warm day in late July 1871 when

were going from a house-turned-school

as geography, US history, and English

students from the Young Ladies Seminary,

in a bustling village to a spacious man-

composition. In her 1946 book Fourscore

along with teachers and staff, took the

sion, topped with a bright blue cupola,

and Ten Years: A History of Mills College,

arduous journey by two trains from

in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps there

Rosalind Keep wrote: “The seminary cur-

Benicia to Oakland. Once at the Seminary

were a few reservations; Seminary stu-

riculum was a forerunner of today’s junior

Park Railroad Station (near the modern-

dent (and future Mills College President)

college requirements.”

day neighborhood of Melrose), some stu-

Luella Clay Carson said of the move,

Eager to sell, Atkins anxiously courted

dents rode in carriages, but others walked

“There is always something to regret

the Mills couple, who bought Young Ladies

under the blazing sun, their long skirts

when leaving the old.”

Seminary for $5,000 and took it over at the

dragging along dusty roads as they took

Any regrets soon faded when the

start of 1866, thus beginning their lofty

in a vast open landscape, not the crowded

excitement of new opportunities set in.

plans for something much bigger than a

city of today. After a long three miles, the

Lizzie Trask Miller from the Class of 1873

seminary. Such plans necessitated a larger

caravan crossed over the entrance bridge

later wrote: “Can you realize what the

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

transition. Students, teachers, and staff

nity to earn a bachelor’s degree.

change in location meant to us? What it

and the Millses deeded to the College

meant for us to be where we could walk

trustees some of their accumulated land

“At first we were much excited over

about at will, instead of promenading the

and all of the campus buildings, which

the fact that we were a college. Women’s

village streets in stately columns, two by

at the time numbered around a half

colleges were not then a fact so well

two? To be transported from the limits of

dozen. The Seminary was no longer their

accepted as now. Then the hall was

the circumscribed town to God’s great,

private property, but they were still run-

built. I believe only five girls moved over

beautiful out-of-doors, to the freedom

ning it, with Cyrus as president.

and thus disappeared from our daily

and joy of the hills?”

Susan saw to the daily operations and

thoughts,” Mason later wrote.

Space was what Cyrus and Susan

Cyrus continued to secure the finances,

Those five students formed the Class

desired for their students. They envi-

which included buying land all around

of 1889, which was not enough to

sioned a campus full of trees with plenty

the campus. However, in 1884, he

keep the College going as enrollment

of opportunity for outdoor exercise and

unexpectedly died from complications

struggled. However, two-year seminary

exploration—a campus as a “remote

after surgery. Just one year later, Mills

enrollment remained strong, bringing

retreat” with few distractions.

Seminary-College reincorporated under

in much-needed money. “Mills had for

the name Mills College with Homer

nearly half a century left its mark on the

Sprague as president. Another building,

community as Mills Seminary. The pub-

The move was complete, the students

College Hall, was constructed on the

lic was slow to recognize its collegiate

were settling into their spacious rooms,

meadow (where NSB is now) to house

organization,” Keep wrote.

and Cyrus Mills was looking ahead. It

students.

The Transformation

So, the Seminary and the College coexisted for a time.

was always the couple’s goal to transi-

(Oddly enough, Cyrus never intended

tion from a two-year seminary to a four-

to name the College after himself; he

Susan Mills, president since 1890, was

year college for women—one that would

preferred “Alderwood,” the name of the

fully behind the College, but she was

thrive long into the future. In the 1872

building where the Julia Morgan School

happy to keep the Seminary going. The

Seminary catalog, Cyrus wrote, “Few of

for Girls now resides. But one blueprint

money, of course, was strong motivation,

our female seminaries, however excel-

that still carried the Mills name was

but having taught the lower grades for

lent, have any principle of perpetual life,

shown to a newspaper reporter, and the

most of her career, she felt an obligation

but change with the proprietors, or die

rest is history.)

to younger students. “More and still more

The first-year curriculum for the

friends wanted their daughters to be with

Although to the students Cyrus may

College, influenced by men’s universi-

Mrs. Mills... and how could she refuse?”

have seemed old and aloof, he was in

ties on the East Coast, included Latin

James wrote. But the trustees and faculty

fact a savvy businessman. Cyrus under-

and Greek authors, hygiene, math-

felt that the Seminary was holding the

stood that the future College was going

ematics, Roman and Greek history, and

College back. Finally, the trustees voted

to need support in the form of an endow-

Shakespeare. Bible study and speech

to “eliminate all preparatory work.”

ment. To that end, in 1877 the school was

were required all four years. Most impor-

“It was the adoption of this clear-cut

incorporated as Mills Seminary-College,

tantly, young women had the opportu-

policy that marks the successful initia-

with the founders.”

tion of the [C]ollege,” Keep wrote. The last Seminary class graduated in 1912, and Susan died in December of that year at age 86 (after retiring in 1909). Fifty-six women were admitted the next semester, and the College saw a steady increase in enrollment the following years. One long transition from Young Ladies Seminary to Mills College, and the Cyrus and Susan Mills era, had come to an end. But there were more transitions ahead. 

In addition to the sources mentioned above, Celebrating the Cultural Landscape Heritage of Mills College (2008) by Vonn Marie May and Robert Sabbatini with Karen Fiene provided information for this piece. Thank you to Archives and Manuscript Librarian Rebecca Leung and Senior Director of Facilities, Compliance, and Sustainability Karen Fiene. WINTER 2022

AAMC NEWS & NOTES Dear Alumnae Community, It was so wonderful to welcome you back to Mills for Reunion

At this time, to many it feels like a death of a different kind,

after not being together for more than a year. Convocation is

mourning the many things that will no longer be alive in the

always a special time, with alumnae joining students in the pro-

new merger. While it is a time to mourn and bid goodbye to

cessional while carrying their class year

Mills, it can also be a time to rejoice

banners. This year was extra special

and remember. To remember how we

given that it was the last Convocation

have been nurtured by our cherished

for Mills College students before the

fostering mother, and to celebrate our treasured time as students. To remem-

merger with Northeastern. This was my sixth time as president

ber and thank the faculty who taught

of the AAMC to address students and

us with dedication and commitment,

share my thoughts and congratula-

to appreciate the staff and administra-

tory message with them. My theme was

tors who made our time here meaning-

about facing unexpected challenges

ful and memorable. These things will

in our lives and how to work through

never die; they live on in each one of us.

them. I shared about my debilitating

These past few months have tested

accident during my first year at Mills,

our commitment to each other and to

which caused me to take all incompletes

the leadership at Mills. I take heart in

for that semester. While I lay incapaci-

this quote from the late General Colin

tated in bed, days turned into months,

Powell: “The ties that bind us are stron-

and fearful thoughts about my future

ger than the occasional stresses that

began to fill my mind. But with prayers

separate us.” The current stress of the

and support from my Mills and church

merger has separated us alumnae, but

communities, those days became more

I believe and hope that our bond will help us overcome this unprecedented

bearable and also taught me many life lessons. While some things in my life would be altered forever,

time of change in the history of our beloved alma mater and

there was the hope of new possibilities. My dreams did not

unify us.

come to an end: I graduated and went on to earn my doctorate and find a calling to a vocation I did not expect. The third chapter of Ecclesiastes from the Old Testament is instructive of life with its beginnings and endings: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. There have been many births and rebirths with Mills, beginning with the Young Ladies’ Seminary for Christian women in Benicia, to the secular Mills College for women—with men later being admitted to graduate programs—to Mills going on to welcome transgender students. Each of these changes must have felt drastic to make way for new plantings. Each change altered Mills and enriched it. Now that the Board of Trustees has voted to merge with

This winter, the Board of Governors and its committees are preparing to celebrate a holiday luncheon with students and to honor and celebrate our mid-year graduates at a special event on December 3. Future events for students at Mills will also change, but I am confident that we will find ways to support students and celebrate the accomplishments and milestones in their lives and the lives of those in our alumnae community. During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude to so many of you who have supported and worked alongside the AAMC these past several months. I want to leave you with this simple but profound quote from the Dalai Lama: “Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.” My hope is that even as Mills changes, we as alumnae can work towards ensuring that the mission and values we cherish will continue.

Northeastern, there is another change coming our way. The future seems uncertain to some, while to others it offers a way

Sincerely,

to preserve the campus as a degree-granting institution, albeit

Viji Nakka-Cammauf, MA ’82

under the Northeastern umbrella.

AAMC President

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

AAMC Reunion Highlights The AAMC honored six awardees at the Alumnae Awards Luncheon on the Saturday afternoon of Reunion. This event honored two years’ worth of awardees, as there was no Reunion held in 2020.

2020 AWARDEES Distinguished Alumnae Award: Kirsten Saxton ’90 Outstanding Volunteer Award: Marge Miskelly Thomas ’67

Connect with the AAMC The College is willing to send out messages periodically on our behalf, but we are striving to build our own list of alumnae interested in emails from the AAMC specifically. If you have not yet done so, please subscribe to our mailing list at aamc-mills.org/ subscribe!

Recent Graduate Award: Dorothy Lawrence-Akaeze ’11

Alumna Trustee Update

2021 AWARDEES Distinguished Alumnae Award: Joan Millar Lincoln ’66 Outstanding Volunteer Award: Carol Alcalay ’52 Recent Graduate Award: Amanda Page Harper ’09 During the Saturday morning AAMC update/annual meeting, current members of the Nominating Committee were voted on to serve another year.

The petition to recall the alumnae trustees has been withdrawn in the spirit of compromise as Jacki Brown ’74 has resigned, and the petitioners believe they will secure representation on the Board of Trustees. Therefore, there will not be a re-vote to recall the alumna trustees.

Alexa Pagonas ’91, Chair Myila Granberry ’05 Courtney Long ’01 Benita Harris ’74 Camellia Franklin ’73 Lynette Castille-Hall ’75 Trina Cook ’93

The Mills United Online Auction— Coming This Spring! Dynamic duo Sissy Cutchen ’81 and Ann Kasper ’81 will host the largest auction to benefit the AAMC in its more than

From left: Mills President Elizabeth L. Hillman, Joan Millar Lincoln, Amanda Page Harper, Carol Alcalay, Dorothy Lawrence-Akaeze, AAMC President Viji Nakka-Cammauf

100-year history. The event seeks to raise more than $100,000 with the auction of more than 150 items. How can you help? Here is a list of the type of items that will work well for the auction: • Art: preferably originals, including prints, music, textiles, jewelry, paintings, and sculptures. • Experiences: meals, vacation homes, tastings, tours, sporting events, concerts, and any event tickets. • Fashion: high-end new or gently-used vintage and/or designer bags, belts, clothing, and jewelry, including costume jewelry. Visit aamc-mills.org/fgs#auction to donate items. Look for the auction dates to be communicated in the coming months.

WINTER 2022

n o i n u e R2021

1951

Jane Brewer Tronoff, Joan Secor Armstrong, Jeanne Thomas

1956

Henrietta Chandler Ratcliff

1960

Top row: Judy Rapp Smith, MA ’65; Judy Greenwood Jones; Ilene Berk Medovich; Sue Stanton Smegal Front row: Diane Boson Holt, Marian Brischle, Ann Markewitz, Siu “Betty” Wong

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

1961

Dorotha “Dotsie” Myers Bradley, Lynne Warfield Huntting, Susan Foster Newcomer

1965

Top row: Alexandra Orgel Moses, Molly Upton, Donna Miller Bestock, Kristin Ritter Carver, Tracey Franklin Corbett Front row: Katharine “Kay” Chalmers Kewley; Estrellita Hudson Redus, MFA ’75; Sharon Quirk Anderson; Marilyn Schuster; Willa Berliner Anderson

1966

Tanya Work Lazar, Joany Millar Lincoln, Barbe Bowes Chambliss, Lucy Warner Bruntjen, Wynne West Dobyns

WINTER 2022

h t 0 5

s n o i n u e R 1970

Top row: Kathleen Dalton, Alice Powers Pulliam, Mary Belle Bloch Royer, Cristina Fowler Campbell, Jan Wright Westmore Third row: Elizabeth Brown Wray, Roberta Copernoll Johnson, Barbara Larkin Stocker Second row: Elizabeth “Liz” Ambuhl, Catherine Ladnier, Debbie Zambianco, Julia Harby Murray Front row: Pamela Ravin Jacobs; Liz Ruderman Miller, TCRED ’71; Dayna Cole; Susan Schumacher Morris; Beverly Wiltshire Guyton; Debra Hartridge

1971

Top row: Maurine Martin Harkness, Susan Brown Penrod, Nancy Fardelius Fees, Rosalie J. Calhoun, Roberta “Robbie” Lathrap Davis Second row: Cristine Russell; Kathleen “Kathy” Miller Hoskins; Linda Kesler Cole; Merrily MurrayWalsh; Edythe “Edy” Chan, MA ’72; Cristine Finch Clancy, MA ’72 Front row: Gretchen Henerlau Leavitt, Beverly “Bev” Curwen, Sarah Wong Soong, Natalie Mallinckrodt, Judith Carlsten Scarborough, Holly Meeker Rom

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

1975

Perry McLelland, Nancy Lembke Brenn, Maria Leslie Georgiou

1976

Michele Gloor, Terry Hove

1980

Top row: Barbara Kromka; Adrienne Bahlke Jardetzky; Lori Kaplan, MA ’83; Catherine “Cate” Keller Lowe; Vicky Selden-Schroebel Second row: Robina Royer; Carol Leland Zischke, MBA ’05; Cynthia Steffensen Bailey; Lila Abdul-Rahim; Nina Taylor Brownson Front row: Kathleen “Kathy” Roskos, Marianne Gray Johnson, Susan Thomas, Patricia “Pat” Jenkins Weisel

1981

Top row: Kate Pixley Mirante, MSC ’82; Katrine “Katie” Pflanze; Heidi Aarts Michels; Judy Marcu Jackson; Sara McClure Bottom row: Elizabeth Rust, MA ’81; Rina C. Faletti; Jeanette Emmarco; Barbara DeBolske Graves ’74, MA ’81; Rebecca Gebhart

1986

Top row: Kim Geary Krebs, Kathleen Decker Burden, Christa Lewis, Rosalie Gann, Darlanne “Lanne” Hoctor Mulmat Front row: Teresa Schreitmueller, Kathleen “Kathy” Redmond Huiza, Adrienne Bronstein, Julie Wose Jennings, Sue Morgan WINTER 2022

1990

Top row: Kimberley Sweet; Nancy Foster Sackett-Goss; Leah Zippert, MPP ’19; Angela Noble; Catalina “Esperanza” Lucero Creighton; Anissa Alston; Eva Thomas Second row: Laura Mameesh, Jocelyn “Joyce” Fung-Yee, Valerie Guth Boyd, Lisa Bach, Peri Weissglass Drake, Kelly Ryan, Carmen Amaya Hartono Front row: Mitra Lohrasb Michnik, Teri Rodabough Atallah, Yuk-yin “Annick” Ma, Sally Moses, Michelle Moses-Eisenstein, Ana Ferrús-García

1991

Top row: Kristen Kulongoski, Melissa Stevenson Diaz, Lisa Kosiewicz Doran, Birgitta Karlen, Sauda L. Garrett, Jeannie Vance, Tricia Andres, Tanya Schasker Durham. Front row: Estella Sundquist-Villegas; Rita Lam; Miel Corbett; Linda Selph; Jasmin Patel Levander; Paulette Boudreaux, MFA ’91

1995

Top row: Kimberly “Kim” Baker, Angela Scarlett, Cynthia Mahood Levin, Claire Eustace, Christy Herron Front row: Elizabeth “Bethannee” Crabtree Witczak, MSP ’98, MA ’98; Kimberlee Garfinkle MacVicar; Larissa Brown Shapiro; Mi-Kyung “Miki” Hong, PMC ’95

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

1996

Melissa Nunes Alvarez, Sophia DeWitt, Renee Saville, Demetra Stamm, Kamala Parks

2000

Top row: Cloud Force; Loretta Clodfelter, MFA ’06; Cassandra Anderson; Morguine Flynn-Sousa Sefcik; Yimei Wong, MBA ’02; Nicole Wilkins Front row: Deborah “Grace” Renaud, Hannah Bluhm, Sylvia Cabrales, Dani Aiden Nuccitelli Stone (with Juniper Stone), Ashlin Mahood, Tzu Lee

2001

Top row: Sarah Carlson, Rebecca Murillo-Starr, Summer Brandt Stallmann, Stephanie George-Bottos, Ilima Gorsich Front row: Sara Worth Masini, Jessee Wilson, Helen Smith Minnis, Courtney Long, Jigna Babla-Shah, Aisha Umar

WINTER 2022

2005

Marissa “Mari” Villaluna (with Amihanchíníbaá Villaluna), Myila Granberry

2006

Top row: lola a. katie (aka Katie Brown-Umpierre), MFA ’06; Kathleen Stavis, MBA ’07; Virginia “Ginny” Murphy Prince (and Biscuit!) Front row: Esther E. Taylor-Joseph, Kara “Sakura” Vesely

2010

Samantha Reisz, MA ’11

2011

Top row: Sarina Wensel, Meredith Wensel, Yun Miao, Suzan Boulad ’12, Pilar Dawson Front row: Louise Orsetti Leck; Veronica Beaty, MPP ’12; Andee Sunderland; Isis Blanchette

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

2015

Top row: Alice Hewitt, Gabriella Amberchan Front row: Melanie Vega, SES ’16, MA ’16; Emily Riann Dirksen; Amanda Ridley

2020

Sunshine Anderson, Laura Cavanagh

2021

Hayley Chamblin; Paige Chamblin; Lila Goehring; Chalyna Lazo, MPP ’21

Photos by Dana Davis and Alli Novak Purchase your class photo online at luzography.com/clients/mills2021

WINTER 2022

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of Mills Quarterly. Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College alumnae community. To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills. edu.

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of the Mills Quarterly. Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College Alumnae Community, alumnae.mills.edu. To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills.edu.

Bookshelf

My Sweet Girl By Amanda Dissanayake Jayatissa ’09

mysterious stranger who literally fell from the stars and into their backyard. Both Delta Wilding and sister Bee must go to incredible lengths to protect their mystical visitor, Starling—but Delta’s growing feelings for him could prove the greatest risk of all. The author is also the daughter of two Mills English professors: Kathryn Reiss and Tom Strychacz! (Simon & Schuster, 2021)

Amanda Jayatissa debuts with a dark psychological thriller, My Sweet Girl. Adopted as a young child from an orphanage in Sri Lanka by a wealthy American couple, 30-year-old Paloma Evans must unravel a suspenseful mystery that is strangely tied to her past, all while navigating the difficulties of cultural assimilation. (Berkley Books, 2021)

Confliction By Amanda Wheeler ’72

The Confession of Copeland Cane By Keenan Norris, MFA ’05 Recruited by the nearby private school even as he and his folks face eviction, Copeland is doing his damnedest to do right by himself, for himself. Yet the forces at play entrap him in a reality that chews up his past and obscures his future. Set in East Oakland in a very near future, The Confession of Copeland Cane introduces us to a prescient and contemporary voice, one that exposes the true dangers of coming of age in America: miseducation, overmedication, radiation, and incarceration. (Unnamed Press, 2021)

Starling By Isabel Strychacz ’17 Edward Scissorhands meets When the Moon Was Ours in this romantic novel about two teen sisters who fight to protect the

In this novel, Aubrey Sampson leads a tranquil suburban life until her husband, Pastor Phillip Sampson, confesses that he fathered a son with a former church member. When Phillip’s alleged son, Donovan, sweeps into church, performing as if under demonic possession, Aubrey’s world descends into chaos. In the midst of her conflict, can Aubrey find justice for Phillip and reclaim her own life? (GW Publishing, 2021)

Hydrohumanities Co-edited by Rina Faletti ’81 This collection of essays centers on discourse about water and power in the modern era. The manuscript is organized into three emergent themes in water studies: agency of water, fluid identities, and cultural currencies. Contributions come from preeminent as well as emerging voices across the humanities, including history, art history, philosophy, and science and technology studies. (University of California Press, 2021)

From September 23–26, we celebrated a triumphant return to campus for Reunion 2021! See more photos at facebook.com/millscollegealumnae. Photos by Teresa Tam.

WINTER 2022

In Memoriam To submit listings, please contact alumnae-relations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123 Ellen Graue Farris ’46, MA ’51, September 23, 2021, in Spokane, Washington. After earning her master’s in early childhood development, the Idaho native ventured to New York to teach preschool. She later returned and married her late husband, Harry. Ellen had an incredible love for life and enjoyed the outdoors into her 80s, and she devoted herself to women’s issues and community service. She is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Dorothy Zimmerman Poznanski ’46, July 2, 2021, in Wilsonville, Oregon. An Oregon native, Dorothy spent time in Chicago before settling in Portland with her young family. She and her late husband, Bob, started Phillips Electronics in 1952, operating the business for 45 years. In her later years, Dorothy volunteered extensively at Meridian Park Hospital and with P.E.O. International. She is survived by three daughters, including Sue Poznanski Ramar ’69 and Linda Poznanski Merrihew ’75; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Helen Dencker Osborne ’48, July 26, 2021, in Belmont, California. Helen attended Mills after growing up in the Philippines, and she was an active member of an organization dedicated to historic preservation of the Bataan Death March—her father was a survivor. She was a teacher in San Mateo and an office manager for a lumber company, in addition to volunteering with various organizations. She is survived by her husband, Leland; two sons; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Gifts in Memory of

Rena Houston DuBose ’51, June 20, 2021, in San Antonio. After marrying her late husband, Hank, in 1953, Rena launched a lifetime of service to the Episcopal Church: She was the headmistress at St. David’s Episcopal School for 40 years, and she worked closely with the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools. Rena also loved to travel, with Bourbon Street in New Orleans as a favorite destination. She is survived by two children and two siblings. Margaret “Margie” Church Wendt ’52, September 5, 2021, in Alamo, California. Margie died less than 10 days before her 91st birthday. She grew up in Hawaii before coming to Mills, later finishing her degree after birthing three sons. Margie worked as a medical technologist at several East Bay facilities. Even after turning 90, she still loved to walk her dog Chloe, and enjoyed golfing, hiking, and working on crossword puzzles. She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Church King ’50; a son; and two grandchildren. Jane McClurg ’53, March 15, 2021 in Selma, California. She ultimately received her bachelor of science from Fresno State and a post-graduate certification as a registered dietician. When her brother became ill in the late ’80s, she retired from her career as director of housing and food services at UC Berkeley and returned home to successfully manage the family ranch in Fowler for the next 25 years. She is survived by a sister and many nieces and great-nieces. Jacqueline “Kate’’ Kyle Goad ’57, June 20, 2021, in Chicago. After Mills, Kate finished her degree at the University of Oregon, where she later returned for her master’s and PhD in education. In her distinguished career, she developed nationally known MSED (Master of Science in Education) programs for public and private colleges across the United States. Kate and her husband, Richard, traveled to nearly every state in their motor home. She is survived by Richard, two daughters, two stepdaughters, nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Received June 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021 Barbara Goldblatt Becker ’63 by Diann Biltz Linda Nelson Branson ’77 by her husband, James Branson George Brown by Cynthia “Cindy” Facer Clark ’64, P ’91 Ann Noble Brown ’52 by Colleen Daveney Searle ’52 Peggy Faletti, P ’81 by her daughter, Rina Faletti ’81 Theodora “Thea” Faust Anderson ’14 by her aunt, Rhoda Faust Ronald Foster by his wife, Adrienne McMichael Foster ’74 Mary Gautreaux by Carrie Gotkowitz ’83 Sheila Knipscheer Johnson ’58 by Helen Drake Muirhead ’58, P ’89, P ’93 Judith Henderson Munz ’68 by Corinne Brandt Gallagher ’68 Marion Ross ’44 by Linda Tu ’91 Moira Roth by Denise Beirnes ’89 Paula Merrix Sporck ’46 by Wynne West Dobyns ’66, Helen Barbour Poindexter ’46 Margaret “Peggy” Price Trader ’61 by Sharon Callahan Vanderslice ’61, P ’13 Karen Johns Wells ’68 by Cathie Simpson ’68 Peggy Woodruff ’58 by Gwendolyn “Gwen” Jackson Foster ’67 P=parent. For information about making a tribute gift, contact 510.430.2097 or donors@mills.edu. 34

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Nancy Overton Covalt ’57, July 12, 2021, in Albuquerque. She finished her degree at the University of Pennsylvania, then married her first husband, Cale Carson, in Albuquerque that same year. She remarried, to Louis Covalt, in 1977. In addition to volunteering with various community organizations, she earned a master’s degree at the University of New Mexico, kicking off 30 years as a counselor in Albuquerque Public Schools. She is survived by a sister; her companion, William Bertenshaw; four children; three stepchildren; and 10 grandchildren. Glory Sturiale, MA ’57, January 23, 2019, in Santa Clarita, California. She is survived by her husband, Horace. Tanya Wood Mollenauer ’60, August 10, 2021, in Newton, Massachusetts. She decamped for the East Coast with her husband, Jim, soon after graduation. She taught, worked at Bell Labs, and volunteered at her local paper before earning a library science degree from Simmons University in Boston. As a librarian, she assisted students (many in the military) at what’s now Lesley University and ushered in computerized systems at Motorola and Analog Devices. She is survived by Jim and two children. Sandra Lathrop Mueller ’61, July 14, 2021, in San Diego. After Mills, she graduated from San Jose State with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. Per her husband, Francis, she loved her years at Mills before her marriage in 1959. Sandra also enjoyed volunteering at her church and in the local community. She is survived by Francis, three children, and nine grandchildren.

Hormoz Farhat, MA ’55 The renowned Iranian composer and violinist Hormoz Farhat, who earned an MA in composition at Mills in 1955, died on August 16, 2021, at his home in Rathmines, Ireland. He was born in Tehran but came to the United States for his education, attending UCLA initially for his BA and later returning there to earn his PhD in musicology in 1965. Farhat began his academic career in the US as well, teaching at Cal State Long Beach and back at UCLA until 1969. At that point, he returned to his native country to take a position at the University of Tehran as professor and head of the music department. While there, he chaired the Music Council for the National Iranian Radio and Television Network, and played a pivotal role in the Shiraz Festival of Arts. In January 1978, at the dawn of the Iranian Revolution, Farhat reached out to John Blacking at Queen’s University Belfast, where Farhat had given a series of seminars on traditional Persian music several years earlier. Blacking invited him to Belfast with a temporary appointment, and Farhat later applied for a permanent position on the faculty at Trinity College Dublin in 1982. Farhat taught there until his retirement in 1995. His many compositions included film scores and pieces that have been performed around the world, and he wrote several books, including The Dastgah Concept in Persian Music. Farhat returned to Iran in May 2018, for the first time in 39 years, to attend a ceremony organized by the Iranian Artists Forum in honor of his distinguished career. He is survived by his wife and a son.

Margaret “Peggy” Price Trader ’61, June 2, 2021, in Chula Vista, California. After earning her MLIS degree from UCLA, Peggy was a librarian in the Geisel Library at UC San Diego for many years. She is survived by three daughters. Judith Brainerd Hunt ’62, July 18, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona. Judith majored in art history at Mills, later becoming a jeweler and artist who was dedicated to her craft. Her family lovingly remembers her as a loyal friend with a gracious, generous soul. She is survived by her husband, David; two children; and a sister. Barbara Forster Mitchell ’63, June 8, 2021, in Livermore, California. Her creative interests followed her to Indiana University, where she earned a master’s and a PhD in art history. Barbara then taught at the college level before earning an MBA and founding her own company. She was also a devout Catholic who embarked on several pilgrimages across Europe, and she brought her art background into the centennial celebration of her parish church through a study of 22 stained glass windows. She is survived by her husband, Alex, and a daughter. Frances “Fran” Sprau Nichols ’64, May 13, , 2021, in Los Angeles. Fran was an accomplished artist with many friends and former students on the Westside and South Bay areas of Los Angeles. She also worked with the art community in the Kern County town of Ridgecrest. Linda Seebass Johnson ’66, June 13, 2021, in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin. After Mills, she worked as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, creating maps for the Department of Defense. She married her husband, Gordon, in 1985, and the couple loved to camp across North America. Linda was an avid naturalist who enjoyed tracking the flowers, birds, and woodland creatures near her home in far northern Wisconsin. She is survived by Gordon.

Eleanor “Ellie” Ranson Nove ’69, June 9, 2021, in Hampton, New Hampshire. Ellie had a long career as a devoted and skilled teacher in Massachusetts, teaching grades from pre-K to sixth. She retired in 2008 and moved to Hampton, which became her home base as she made frequent trips to visit friends and family across the United States. An avid traveler, she also journeyed to Europe after retirement. Her son, Joshua, predeceased her. She is survived by two nieces and a nephew. Linda Richardson-Townsend ’73, July 30, 2021, in Richmond, California. She worked for AT&T for nearly 40 years, but her true calling was serving her community. Linda participated in social justice activities for adults and mentoring programs for middle school-aged children, sharing her love of books and learning with hundreds. She was also an enthusiastic member of Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church. Linda is survived by two sisters, two brothers, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Nanette Chadwick ’80, March 8, 2020, in Auburn, Alabama. Nanette was a pioneer as a woman research scientist studying coral reef ecosystems all over the world for more than 30 years. As director of academic sustainability programs at Auburn University, she educated dozens of faculty so they could effectively incorporate sustainability into their classes, and she oversaw the maturation and expansion of the minor in sustainability studies. She is survived by her husband, Yoel Furman, and a son.

Jennifer Britt ’93, June 26, 2021, in La Mesa, California. Jennifer earned her law degree from UC Hastings in 1996, later starting a practice that focused on family law. In 2009, she was certified as a family law specialist. She is survived by her father and stepmother; a daughter; and four siblings, including Megan Britt Winkler ’84. Radhika Lal Snyder, PMC ’11, July 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. Radhika grew up in New Delhi and came to the United States for college in 1999. She later took a detour from the tech industry to attend medical school at the University of Minnesota and establish practice in maternal and family health. Her family and friends have set up the Radhika Lal Snyder Postpartum Doula Sponsorship Program in her memory, to prevent the tragic losses that result from untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is survived by her husband, Seth, and two children. Marian Cook ’16, September 9, 2021, in Williston, North Dakota. She was born in Germany to an Army family, starting school there before moving to Williston. Marian graduated from Mills with a degree in economics, though she developed a passion for art history in college and was a gifted photographer. She was hugely compassionate with the unhoused, and she worried as she became ill with autoimmune encephalopathy that she could not be of service. She is survived by her parents, a sister, and her extended family.

Spouses and Family Daryl “Bud” Lembke, father of Nancy Lembke Brenn ’75, June 17, 2020, in Lafayette, California. Dirk Tillotson, spouse of Amina Assefa ’00, October 2, 2021, in Oakland.

Friends Jean Foster, July 5, 2020, in San Francisco. Anne Golseth, August 27, 2021, in Sonoma, California. WINTER 2022

Exchange Students Almost immediately after the merger agreement between Mills

of Public Policy Mark Henderson, all of whom spent time with

and Northeastern was signed on September 14, 2021, officials

Northeastern students considering this spring’s Leading Social

from both schools started a series of cross-continental visits to

Change program on the Mills campus. They also toured the cam-

bring the two institutions together on a more personal level.

pus to get a flavor of the Northeastern culture and appreciate the

The first visit, on September 27–28, saw Northeastern President Joseph Aoun travel to Mills along with some of his top reports,

scope of the institution, which has more than 25,000 students enrolled.

including Senior Vice President for University Advancement

“Every member of the Mills team was struck by the enthusi-

Diane MacGillivray, Senior Vice President for University Affairs

asm and excitement expressed by each student, faculty mem-

Mike Armini, and Senior Chancellor and Provost Mary Ludden.

ber, and staff member we met! Our conversations with students

In addition to meeting with various departments on campus

and staff at the Center for Intercultural Engagement and with

and getting to know Mills staff members and students, the

the Cultural Center directors made visible our shared core val-

group toured College landmarks such as the Art Museum and

ues at the intersection of social justice and leadership,” Kochly

Community Farm (above left). The team from Northeastern was

said. “We are thrilled to welcome a cohort of these students

also welcomed by local Oakland officials, including Mayor Libby

to Mills this spring to learn alongside our Mills students, and

Schaaf, District 6 Councilmember Loren Taylor, and BART Board

look forward to creating a bicoastal community of Leaders for

Director Lateefah Simon ’14, as well as members of the Board of

Social Change.”

Trustees.

Additional groups—including the Northeastern facilities team

In October, it was Mills’ turn to send administrators and fac-

and Mills event staff and members of the Office of Institutional

ulty members across the country to visit Northeastern’s urban

Advancement (OIA)—exchanged visits in advance of the holiday

Boston campus (above right). The Mills team consisted of Dean

season.

of Students Chicora Martin; Associate Provosts Christie Chung

Trustees Katie Sanborn ‘85 and Kirsten Wolfe ‘88 also traveled

and Beth Kochly; Associate Vice President of Student Life Allie

to Boston with the OIA team members so they could meet with

Littlefox, MBA ’20; Assistant Dean Inès Barbosa; and Professor

Mills alumnae at a reception on the Northeastern campus.

Above: Photos by Greer Rivera and Matthew Moodono

Far right: Melanie Reilly and Sherisse Dozier from the Office of Institutional Advancement enjoy “Wooden Wave,” an installation on the Northeastern campus. A version of this piece is scheduled to be installed at Mills in the spring.

M AT THE W MOODONO

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

GREER RI V ER A

Near right: Trustee Kirsten Wolfe ’88 (right) with Deborah Feldman ’89 (left), who is the director of communications at the Northeastern School of Law and serves as editor of Northeastern Law magazine.

Merchandise Please see our online store for all of your shopping needs at aamc-mills.org/aamc-merchandise. As of this writing, we still have Pearl Ms in stock, as well as El Campanil, Art Building, Music Building, Mills Hall, and Eucalyptus Tree holiday ornaments. Additionally, with grateful appreciation, we are honored to have procured additional limited-edition Hung Liu scarves. As many who attended Reunion weekend may have noticed, we are also selling For Generations Still merchandise. The For Generations Still campaign is an AAMC effort, but due to current staffing limitations, items are available through our website (though outside of the online store). Visit aamc-mills.org/fgs-merch to view available items and learn more about how to order. You will find For Generations Still shirts, hats, calendars, mugs, notecards, postcards, magnets, and stickers!

2022

AAMC Travel Programs

Leisure travel is coming alive again! The AAMC 2022 Travel Program offers opportunities such as: exploring exciting destinations, learning about diverse cultures, and sharing camaraderie, fun, and good food with fellow Mills alumnae and others from colleges and universities across the country.

GOHAGAN & COMPANY (cruises) Treasures of Caribbean

2/26-3/5

Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords

6/2-6/10

Cruising the Baltic Sea

7/11-7/20

Oberammergau Play and Danube River Cruise

7/17-7/27

Coastal Life Along the Adriatic Coast

9/22-9/30

Cruising the Great Lakes

10/9-11/12

AHI TRAVEL (land tours)

Scottish Isles

United Arab Emirates, featuring the Dubai Expo

1/28-2/6

New Orleans, The African American Experience

4/24-4/29

Spain—Andalucia in a Parador

5/26-6/3

Alaskan Heritage & Wildlife

7/24-7/31

Japan

9/22-10/3

The Charm of the Amalfi Coast

9/28-10/6

Wonders of Peru

10/13-10/24

Our experienced travel companies, AHI Travel and Gohagan & Company, have set in place enhanced CDC-recommended safety protocols, and they monitor CDC travel advisories closely to make each trip safe and worry-free. See the AAMC Travel Program website at alumnae.mills.edu/ travel or email aamc@mills.edu for more information.

Mills Quarterly Mills College 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Oakland, CA 94613-1301 510.430.3312 quarterly@mills.edu www.mills.edu

Remaking the Art Museum (continued)

Since graduating from Mills, Suzanne Newman Fricke ’89 has worked to promote Native American work in a wider art world. As a curator, an adjunct professor at colleges including the University of New Mexico and the Institute for American Indian Arts, and the director of Gallery Hózhó at Hotel Chaco in Albuquerque, she highlights the work of Indigenous artists to counter stereotypes of Native art. The work isn’t just ancient pottery and baskets—it’s still being made by thriving communities today. “I’ve always thought that you can’t go back and drag people forward. But you can make a beacon in front of them and make them look forward,” she says.

Catch up with the beginning of this story on page 14!

When she entered the art world in the early 1990s, the academic study of Indigenous art was limited, and it was very much dominated by non-Natives. Fricke, who grew up in New Mexico, understands the awkwardness of her position. “Now that I have a chance to reflect, 30 to 40 years later, maybe I would have made a different choice,” she says. “There are more Native scholars now, but there are still problems—schools will hire someone, but they have no perception that the systems in place are going to work against these scholars.” Over her time in the field, she has thankfully seen some evolution in what’s recognized as Indigenous art, from dreamcatchers and looted ceramics to newer bodies of work. For the last 10 or so years, Fricke has been involved in curating shows, including Indigenous Futurisms: Transcending Past/Present/Future for the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe. She is currently curating a show on the same topic for the Autry Museum in Los Angeles.

Above, “Tracker” by Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti) was part of the Indigenous Futurisms: Transcending Past/Present/Future exhibition at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), which was co-curated by Suzanne Newman Fricke ’89. Photo courtesy of MoCNA.

Mills Quarterly, Winter 2022

Articles inside

In Memoriam

Class Notes

Reunion Photos

AAMC News

Remaking the Art Museum by Jessica Lipsky

Updates on Northeastern Merger and Mills Institute

Transitions: From Benicia to Oakland, From Seminary to College

Letters to the Editor

Found Family by Lila Goehring ’21

President’s Message

Mills Matters