68
les amies
2020
91st Street Reunion 2019 The Outstanding Alumna Award The Outstanding Alumna Award is given by the 91st Street Alumnae Association each year to an alumna who has made significant contributions to her community or profession. The recipients are women who demonstrate a dedication to the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, a commitment to excellence in their chosen endeavors, a loyalty to Christian values, and selflessness in service to others.
2019 HONOREE
Rita Gardner Murray ’69 The Alumnae Office was thrilled to give the 2019 award to Rita Gardner Murray at Alumnae Reunion last April. Former 91st Street colleague Jane Burke O’Connell ’59 gave the following speech in her honor.
T
he pin attached to your name tags today is inscribed with the phrase—”I give back.” That is the theme of this presentation to Rita Gardner Murray. I am honored to have hired Rita, to have worked with her, and for an
enduring friendship. A few words about Rita and Alumnae Office when she began. At the time, 91st Street was determined to build strong alumnae support and involvement. There was a lot of laughter and fun. Alumnae work requires a constant state of optimism and determination; Rita provided both. We had a wonderful team and the unconditional support of an amazing mentor, our beloved headmistress Sr. Nancy Salisbury, and our secret weapon—Sr. Mary Ranney, who was a full member of the team and who, at age 80 plus, came to work every day to work her magic on hundreds of alums. It was all a bit of an adventure. Rita became Alumnae Director in 1992 and stayed for 12 years. She had been an active 91st Street alumna, Alumnae Board President, and a member of the Board of Trustees. Her personal skills were just right for alumnae work. She loved getting to know people, and her graciousness quickly made them feel at home. Her ability to engage even the quietest person was notable, and she knew it. In one conversation, she pointed to a wall and said, “See that wall? I could make that wall talk.”
