As Hathaway Brown celebrates 150 years, we honor generations of trailblazers whose vision and courage continue to light the way forward.
Celebrating the milestones and accomplishments of students, faculty and staff.
First Day Vibes!
The 150th school year began with joy, tradition, and boundless Blazer spirit as students of all ages returned to campus ready to learn, connect, and shine.
A Legac y in Harmony
An evening of music, history, and HB spirit at Blossom Music Center set the tone for a year—and a legacy—150 years in the making. 16
A Playground Like No Other
The Pam & Steve Keefe Playground at the Barbara Mixon Park opened with joy and gratitude—a vibrant, nature-filled space where play, learning, and community come together to inspire generations of HB students.
20 A Journey Through 150 Years
Tracing Hathaway Brown’s legacy of bold ideas, trailblazing leadership, and a spirit of innovation that continues to inspire and shape generations of students.
28 Rooted in HB, Leading with Purpose
From her early days at HB to becoming College Park, Georgia’s first woman and first Black mayor, Bianca Motley Broom ’95 exemplifies how an HB education cultivates resilience, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to purpose.
31 EmpowHer: Building Financial Confidence for Life
Led by HB alumna Elizabeth Falco ’01, EmpowHer equips students with financial literacy, mentorship, and purpose-driven skills, empowering them to navigate money with confidence, independence, and impact for life.
35 Impact Report
The Impact Report celebrates how the generosity of HB’s community empowers students to thrive, fostering boldness, character, and a lifelong love of learning.
HB MAGAZINE
Alumnae News
Class News
Read—and be
Alumnae
Editorial Team:
Suzanne Taigen
Editor, Director of Marketing & Communications
Maddie Conley
Social Media & Communications Coordinator
Sarah Deeks
Marketing & Advertising Manager
Rebecca Feliciano ’99
150th Anniversary Coordinator
D.J. Reichel
Art Director/Designer, Visuals & Publications Manager
Natasha Herbert
Photographer & Videographer
Alumnae Engagement Team:
Missy Iredell ’96
Director of Alumnae Engagement
Tiana Ellington
Alumnae Engagement Manager
Administrative Team:
Fran Bisselle
Head of School
Sheri Homany
Associate Head of School
Sharon Baker
Director of Middle School
Lauren A. Gibson ’01
Chief Finance and Operations Officer
Sandra Golden
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Ashley Kelly
Director of Athletics
Clarke Wilson Leslie ’80
Director of Advancement
Rachel Lintgen
Director of Upper School
LaShawna Adams Mitchell
Director of Infant & Toddler Center
Darrah Parsons
Director of Early Childhood Program
Elizabeth Pinkerton
Director of Enrollment Management
Kelly Stepnowsky
Director of Primary School
Suzanne Taigen
Director of Marketing & Communications
Families came together on a beautiful evening at Blossom Music Center for music, community, and HB spirit— celebrating 150 years of tradition and togetherness.
Photo credit: Kamron Khan Photography
Hathaway Brown
Years of Trailblazing 150
We opened this school year with hearts full of gratitude for this historic moment. This is no ordinary year—it is Hathaway Brown’s 150th anniversary! A milestone born of boldness, shaped by vision, and sustained by generations of trailblazing women who dared to dream without limits.
Through it all, Hathaway Brown has not merely kept pace—we have led the way. With a curriculum that fosters curiosity and courage, fellowships that transform passion into purpose, and a mission that calls us to live and lead with integrity, HB has always been a place where young women claim their futures—boldly, brilliantly, unapologetically.
This summer, I revisited the words of Anne Hathaway Brown, our fourth head of school, who wrote: “The aim of our school is to cultivate concentration and scholarly habits, to promote a happy, natural development of all the faculties, to encourage creative power, and to inspire ideas of service.” That vision lives on in our students today—in the ways they think critically, lead with empathy, speak truth to power, and extend a hand when others need it most.
For them, creativity is being redefined. It is coding solutions to global challenges, designing robots for efficiency, harnessing the potential of AI. It is shaping equitable policies, inventing sustainable technologies, and bridging divides with compassion. And service, too, has expanded—it is not only kindness, but also activism, innovation, and the courage to transform systems.
As Head of School, what fills me with deepest pride is not simply how long Hathaway Brown has stood, but how purposefully it has evolved. How fiercely we’ve remained true to our core while daring to grow. How intentionally we’ve built a community that is both celebrated and inclusive.
I look to the future with confidence because I look to our students, our families, our educators, and our alumnae. You are the reason I know our best days are ahead.
The future does not happen to us—it is shaped by us. So let us begin. Let us honor the past by becoming the future.
Welcome to Hathaway Brown’s 150th year of trailblazing!
Fondly,
Dr. Fran Bisselle Head of School
18 Seniors Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program
Eighteen Hathaway Brown seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program for their academic talent, as indicated by the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Selected from more than 20,000 students nationwide for their outstanding PSAT scores, these accomplished Blazers now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for nearly $26 million in scholarships to be awarded next spring. Join us in celebrating their hard work and academic excellence!
NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS:
Michelle Anabila
Maya Houghton
Aashvi Jagetia
Areesha Nouman
Nina Peyrat
Vivian Qi
Lindsay Reineks
Ananya Yadati
Jessie Zhang
NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLARS:
Elizabeth Chen
Salma Fareed
Maria Flauto
Charlotte Kleid
Siya Lakireddy
Clare Lyman
Shrividya Regadamilli
Azra Saka
Haasini Sanisetty
A NEW LOOK FOR A NEW ERA
This year, Hathaway Brown is proud to introduce a refreshed brand identity—an exciting step forward launched to directly support HB’s strategic plan and its priority of building a compelling, unifying brand. This update is more than a new logo—it’s about how HB makes people feel. It reflects our growth, modern spirit, and unwavering commitment to the values that have defined us for a century and a half.
Over the last year, we have partnered with a branding agency that works exclusively with non-profit organizations, many in education, to establish a clear and consistent brand foundation. Until now, HB had gone many years without strong, formalized brand guidelines. Through a thorough discovery and assessment process—including interviews with parents, students, faculty, and alumnae—we developed updated institutional positioning, including a defined voice and core messaging for HB and our academic divisions.
Once the positioning was complete, we reviewed HB’s visual identity. Our lamp of learning is strong, recognizable, and respected, and we saw an opportunity to add greater depth and flexibility for today’s digital and print demands. The result is a fresh, historically modern take on our timeless symbol, complemented by a new suite of visuals and logos designed to give HB a cohesive, dynamic presence across all platforms. At the heart of this refreshed look remain our signature school colors, a rich gold and deep brown— originally chosen by our namesake, Anne Hathaway Brown, to symbolize a school that is rooted in the earth and reaching for the sun.
The new branding can be seen everywhere from printed materials to digital applications to new street banners around campus that celebrate the spirit of HB and our 150th anniversary!
CELEBRATING HB SPIRIT ON A NEW WEBSITE
Our newly redesigned website offers a dynamic and welcoming window into the joy and spirit of Hathaway Brown. Featuring an inspiring all-school video and division-specific stories, the site beautifully captures the energy, curiosity, and wonder that fill our classrooms each day. “Day in the Life” snapshots highlight the extraordinary experiences that unfold across campus, reminding us of the joy and purpose that define our community.
You can also explore our Profiles of Possibility series— spotlighting the remarkable journeys of HB alumnae whose lives continue to embody the school’s enduring spirit of possibility. Together, these stories and moments celebrate not only our school but also the vibrant community whose partnership sustains HB and advances the limitless potential of girls’ education.
National Speech & Debate Honors
At the National Speech & Debate Tournament, Hathaway Brown was honored with a School of Excellence Award, a prestigious distinction given to the top 40 schools out of over 1,500 that competed at Nationals. This marks the first time HB has earned this recognition!
Our Blazers truly made their voices heard:
Madeleine Burke '25 earned an incredible 6th place finish in Lincoln Douglas and was honored at the National Finals Awards Assembly.
Salma Fareed '26 finished tied for 17th in the World Schools Debate as part of the North Coast Maroon team (out of 192 teams).
Charlotte Kleid '26 placed 17th out of over 1,100 entries in Extemporaneous Debate.
EXPLORING, LEARNING, AND LEADING IN ZAMBIA
Hathaway Brown’s Fellowships in Global Citizenship participants had an unforgettable June trip to Zambia, living out HB’s mission by connecting across cultures, learning beyond the classroom, and growing as thoughtful, compassionate leaders.
From exploring the Livingstone Museum and learning about elephant conservation efforts to enjoying vibrant local markets and shadowing students at the Kasisi Foundation, our Blazers immersed themselves fully in Zambian culture and education—an experience that deepened their global awareness and leadership in action.
Salma Fareed ’26 and Charlotte Kleid ’26
The first days of school looked even brighter in Hathaway Brown’s 150th year! From our littlest learners in the Infant & Toddler Center and Early Childhood—smiling as they made new friends and settled into new routines—to Prime students walking through the doors with fresh backpacks, the energy on campus was contagious. Middle School students returned eager for a year of exploration and connection, while our Upper School community gathered for Convocation—led by a bagpiper, in true HB tradition—to officially open the school year. Welcome back, Blazers— here’s to another fantastic year of learning for life!
First Day Vibes!
Student Senate President Dea Sema ’26 spoke to the Upper School community at Convocation.
A Legacy in Harmony
KICKING OFF OUR 150 th CELEBRATION
Conductor Sarah Hicks with Dr. Bisselle and the 150th Anniversary Committee: Juliet Parsons ’26, Madeline Everest ’26, and Eliza Taigen ’26.
Hathaway Brown
For 150
years, Hathaway
Brown’s legacy has been one of bold ideas, trailblazing women, and lasting impact. What better way to begin our anniversary celebration than with an evening of music that traced its very roots back to our alumnae?
On a beautiful summer evening, more than 200 members of our HB family—students, faculty, parents, and alumnae spanning generations— gathered at Blossom Music Center for a dazzling performance of The Lion King by The Cleveland Orchestra. The atmosphere was electric: laughter and conversation filled the air, anticipation buzzed through the crowd, and a sense of community wrapped around us all.
Generations of HB students and alumnae gathered for a group photo!
Conductor Sarah Hicks celebrated HB’s incredible history of women influencing the culture of Cleveland and reflected on the power of women uplifting other women.
Hathaway Brown
Photos on pages 12-15 courtesy of Kamron Khan Photography.
The
atmosphere was electric: laughter and conversation filled the air, anticipation buzzed through the crowd, and a sense of community wrapped around us all.
The setting could not have been more fitting. The Cleveland Orchestra was founded by Adella Prentiss Hughes, Class of 1886, and a pioneering force known as the “Mother of the Cleveland Orchestra." The Blossom Music Center itself is named for the Blossom family— including HB alumna Elizabeth Bingham Blossom, Class of 1899 —another proud HB lineage reaching across the decades. The evening became even more special with a pre-show visit from conductor Sarah Hicks, who inspired us with her words before lifting her baton up on stage.
This unforgettable night was just the beginning. HB’s 150th anniversary is a two-year celebration that will include many joyful gatherings that mark this milestone birthday. Please join us in celebrating! Whether you’ve just joined the HB family or your roots run deep, there is something meaningful for everyone.
Visit our website to discover what’s next because the story of Hathaway Brown is still being written, and it is one we all share. Learn more at www.hb.edu/150th.
A Playground Like No Other:
CELEBRATING THE PAM & STEVE KEEFE PLAYGROUND AT THE BARBARA MIXON PARK
The ribbon has been cut, and the laughter of children now fills the air—the Pam & Steve Keefe Playground at the Barbara Mixon Park is officially open! On September 26, HB’s celebrated community gathered in joy and gratitude to celebrate the extraordinary new space, marking the start of a new chapter for the community’s youngest learners. After the ceremony, the celebration continued with the annual Light the Night, where families, students, and neighbors filled all of HB’s outdoor spaces with energy, laughter, and delight well into the evening.
Photo above: Pam Butler Keefe ’62 and her husband, Steve, experience the new playground with the HB community.
16 Hathaway Brown
The newly opened Pam and Steve Keefe Playground at the Barbara Mixon Park
A VISION REALIZED
“This is a playground where creativity flourishes, where social bonds are strengthened, where bodies are challenged and imaginations soar,” said Dr. Fran Bisselle. “It is a place of outdoor classrooms, of skinny bridges that demand cooperation, of gardens, water, and trees that connect us with nature. It is a space built not just for fun, but for discovery, resilience, and growth.”
Over the past year, that vision moved from sketches and site plans to a vibrant reality. The process required architectural reviews, zoning approvals, inspections, and countless hours of preparation. Parents shared feedback, students practiced research and reporting skills, and our Upper School Sustainability Fellows helped clear invasive species and design an all-Ohio native garden. “At every step,” Dr. Bisselle reflected, “we asked ourselves: How do we create a space where every child can thrive, while also caring for our green space?”
A PLAYGROUND THAT TEACHES AND INSPIRES
Every feature of the playground was designed with purpose:
• Curriculum Integration: Interactive installations and an outdoor classroom extend learning beyond four walls, encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.
• Social & Emotional Grow th: Bridges, climbing structures, and open areas inspire cooperation, empathy, and resilience as children invent games and learn together.
• Physical Development: Balance beams, climbing apparatuses, and open play spaces strengthen bodies and build confidence.
• Creativity & Imagination: Every corner invites adventure, sparking imaginative play that reminds us creativity is at the heart of learning.
• Connection with Nature: Gardens, trees, winding paths, and water immerse children in the natural world and deepen their curiosity about it.
Two gathering areas—one for families and one designed as an outdoor classroom—along with modern infrastructure such as internet access, storage, and security, ensure the playground is safe, sustainable, and welcoming for years to come.
GRATITUDE FOR A COMMUNITY EFFORT
“But today’s celebration is not only about the design— it’s about the community that made it possible,” Dr. Bisselle shared. “We are thankful to Pam and Steve Keefe whose generosity turned a dream into reality and who believe deeply in being stewards of childhood. And we are also so grateful to Barbara Mixon who has always championed playgrounds— and is one of the reasons this new playground has a trike track!”
Special thanks were also extended to the many donors to the project, to builder AM Higley for their craftsmanship, to architects and design partners David Zenk and Arcadis for their thoughtful vision, and to the Board of Trustees for their belief in the importance of this investment. “We are also incredibly grateful to all the parents, faculty, staff, and students who co-created this playground with their ideas, insights, and patience,” she added.
A LASTING LEGACY
“This space stands as a joyful reminder of what we can do when we come together,” Dr. Biselle said. “It reflects our values. It reflects our mission. And it reflects our unwavering belief in the power of play.”
The Pam & Steve Keefe Playground at the Barbara Mixon Park is more than a play space—it is a promise fulfilled, a legacy of learning, play, and wonder that will enrich the lives of children and families for generations to come
HB’s honor choir led the crowd in singing the Alma Mater.
Katie Freygang ’70 spoke at the donor reception about her involvement in the playground project.
GENERATIONS OF TRAILBLAZERS
From the Class of 1892 to the Class of 1976 and now the Class of 2026, generations of young women have gathered to celebrate their place in HB history. In 1976, the senior class honored HB’s centennial by recreating a photo first taken in 1892. Fifty years later, members of the Class of 2026 followed in their footsteps—linking 150 years of HB sisterhood in one timeless tradition.
A JOURNEY THROUGH
YEARS
For 150 years, Hathaway Brown has stood as a beacon of innovation in girls’ education — a place where bold ideas take root and grow into lasting impact. From our trailblazing founders who dared to redefine what education for girls could be, to the remarkable students who fill our halls today, the spirit of progress that shaped our beginnings continues to guide us forward.
1879
1876
Five young women—Grace Fay Hooker, Carrie M. Smith, Clara M. Lyon, Dolly Glasser, and Carrie A. Tisdale—marched up to the Brooks Military Academy’s front door and asked to take classes just like the boys. They were permitted to come to classes in the afternoons, after the boys were dismissed.
1878
The girls’ school is moved to the Southworth House on Prospect Street; Mary E. Salisbury becomes head.
“No woman’s future is assured unless she be equipped with a well-trained mind.”
– Declared by Miss Fisher at the 1882 graduation, which was attended by more than 700 people.
1881
A separate school for girls is opened and called The Brooks School for Young Ladies and Misses; well-known tutor Mrs. Mary A. Springer appointed preceptress.
1886
Anne Hathaway Brown becomes principal and owner of the school and gives it her name. Her tenure was the first to commit to distinguished academics.
Ms. Salisbury sells the school to Frances Fisher, and the name is changed to Miss Fisher’s Home and Day School for Girls; Miss Fisher had received superb training at Vassar under Professor Maria Mitchell, an astronomer, who was the first woman to be elected a member of the American Academy of Sciences.
Anne Hathaway Brown adopted the motto that continues to direct HB’s work: Non scholae sed vitae discimus or “we learn not for school, but for life.” She also chose HB’s school colors of brown and gold –meant to signify that the school is rooted in the earth, but reaching for the sun.
1890
Miss Mary E. Spencer becomes the new owner and principal; her twelve year administration increased HB’s stature in the community and provided much needed continuity.
1893
The first Specularia is published–the name is Latin for “windowpanes” and was intended to suggest a transparent medium that gave outsiders insight into the life of the School.
1901
1906
The first HB Magazine is published by the Alumnae Association and sold for 50 cents per copy.
1902
1900
The Hathaway Brown Alumnae Association is established.
The Order of Willing Service is established as a way for students to fundraise and volunteer for worthy causes.
Beloved Latin teacher Cora Canfield becomes principal following Miss Spencer’s retirement.
1907
Hathaway Brown moves to the East 97th Street building on land donated by Flora Stone Mather; the new location is a bit farther away from the bustle of downtown, which has become increasingly congested.
1911
Mary E. Raymond, a highly respected English teacher at Hathaway Brown since 1898, becomes principal after the unexpected death of Cora Canfield. Alumnae recalled that she frequently used morning meetings to remind students to “Act for the Good of the Whole.”
1909
Hathway Brown’s Athletic Association formed.
150 Years of HB Style
FROM PUFFS TO DOC MARTENS
1920
Women’s suffrage won.
From the neatly buttoned-up days of the early 1900s to the laid-back looks of the late 20th century, HB’s sense of style has always reflected the times—while keeping a spirit all its own. In Miss Raymond’s era from 1911-1936, students donned dark wool gowns, highnecked shirtwaists, and modest middie blouses; silk hosiery and low shoes were forbidden, and “puffs and rats” in one’s hair were strictly discouraged (at least until they came back into vogue a few years later). By the 1940s, prep uniforms with yellow shirts had become the norm, often paired with saddle shoes—although students preferred the comfort of loafers. The postwar years brought contact lenses and a continued emphasis on neatness, with the HB dress code prohibiting lipstick, earrings, and bright nail polish. By the 1960s, though, change was in the air: short skirts, long hair, loafers, and clogs replaced the old formality, and the iconic brown jumper and yellow blouse evolved into mix-and-match separates. The 1970s ushered in debates over slacks—eventually permitted in winter—as the HB dress code carefully tracked the fine line between selfexpression and propriety. Throughout the 1980s, students were still required to look “neat and clean,” with jeans, sweatshirts, and warm-up suits strictly banned. However, by the late 1990s, HB style had fully modernized: polos, oxford shirts, cardigans, fleeces, and Doc Martens defined the look of a new generation. Across every decade, fashion may have changed, but the same confidence, individuality, and sense of purpose have always been unmistakably HB.
1938
1920 s
Otis and Mantis Van Sweringen convince school officials to bring HB to the more rural Shaker Heights by donating the land as a gift. Nearly 70 families and friends of the school donate funds in a capital campaign that helps to make the move a reality.
Miss Raymond retires and Anne Cutter Coburn named principal, embarking on three decades as the school’s helm. Miss Coburn raised academic standards and prioritized college preparation.
1926
Ground is broken for the new school in Shaker Heights, the sixth location of Hathaway Brown school.
1968
1927
On March 10, 1927, the cornerstone was laid and school began on the new campus in September.
William (Bucky) Harris becomes head of school; Mr. Harris recognized the importance of a diverse student body and admitted students who were Black, Indian and Jewish.
Upon his retirement in 2016, Bill Christ shared, “This has not been a job; here I discovered my life’s work and was summoned to a vocation that unleashed more passion and imagination than I ever knew I had.”
1978
Peg Madden named head of the school; oversees building expansion and four faculty chairs.
1981
A new era in HB athletics is heralded with the completion of the new gym.
1972 Hathaway Brown no longer offers boarding; the dormitory is used for Primary School classrooms.
The Spirit of Competition
1987
H. William Christ named 13th head of school and begins a tenure that will span 29 years.
1981
Strnad Fellowships in Creativity, an opportunity for a unique educational experience for juniors and seniors, created by Edna Dawley Strnad 1942 and her husband, James J. “Budd” Strnad.
Athletics and healthy competition have always been a vibrant part of life at HB. Until 1914, gym classes were held in the basement of the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, before trustees raised funds for a state-of-the-art gymnasium complete with a basketball court and gymnastic equipment. At the 97th Street location, a fence separated HB from neighboring Laurel School— fueling a spirited rivalry between the two. Basketball games became so intense, with raucous cheering on both sides, that the heads of school eventually felt compelled to cancel them—much to the students’ dismay!
Today, that same energy and enthusiasm thrive as HB competes in 12 varsity sports and three club teams, maintaining the proud tradition of friendly rivalry and school spirit that has defined HB athletics for generations, including 24 state championships and runnerup titles!
Sources for pages 20-27
Learning for Life, The First 50 Years of Hathaway Brown School 1876 to 1926, by Virginia P. Dawson
The First Hundred Years: Hathaway Brown School 1876-1976, by Ruth Crofut Needham 1931 and Ruth Strong Hudson 1927
Tradition and Transformation: A History of Educating Girls at Hathaway Brown School, 1876-2006, by Virginia P. Dawson and Mark D. Bowles
"My hope is that, 150 years from now, young women will still walk through these doors and feel the same trailblazing spirit that generations before them have felt—that they will know they are part of something larger than themselves, something bold, something lasting. And that they, in turn, will leave this place ready for the next generation."
– Dr. Fran Bisselle
2001
HB’s Jewett-Brown Academic Center opens as home to the Middle School, part of a $60M capital campaign.
1998
The Science Research and Engineering Program is launched.
1996
W.E.S.T. (Women Engaged in Scholarly Thought) Fellowship Program launches for 7th and 8th graders who want to pursue independent study.
2002
Aspire Program founded.
2016
Dr. Fran Bisselle joins Hathaway Brown as the 14th head of school.
2003
The Carol and John Butler Aquatic Center opens with eight lanes, a diving well and a three-footdeep instructional area.
2008
Hathaway Brown is awarded one of only five Edward E. Ford Leadership grants for its commitment to innovation in education, laying the groundwork for the Institute for 21st Century Education which evolved to what is known today as the Fellowships in Applied Studies.
2025
The Pam and Steve Keefe Playground at the Barbara Mixon Park opens.
2021
2024
The thoughtfully renovated Primary School Building opens to the delight of students, families and faculty.
From Suffrage to Civil Discourse
We can only imagine the conversations on campus in 1920 following the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
An editorial in Specularia reflected that this new right—won during a time of global political and social upheaval—represented not just freedom, but responsibility. “The way for each one of us to help is to be educated, so that we can think clearly and vote wisely,” the student author wrote. The piece also highlighted the many avenues through which students were prepared for such responsibility, including the Student Council, the Athletic Association, and the Order of Willing Service. Through these experiences, young women learned the principles of citizenship and leadership that would serve them—and their communities—long after graduation.
Today, that same spirit of engagement and critical thinking thrives through countless opportunities for student involvement, including Real Conversations. Held over lunchtime, these conversations encourage students to practice the essential skills of civil discourse while debating contemporary issues, all guided by expert faculty facilitators. Students themselves pitch topics for discussion. As Dr. Bisselle shares, “Our role is not to influence students to embrace any one particular way of thinking, but instead to give each student the tools she needs to think critically, act compassionately, and be informed, engaged members of our community.”
Green Fields Beckon: THE MOVE TO SHAKER HEIGHTS
By the early 1920s, it had become increasingly clear that Hathaway Brown’s 97th Street location was no longer suitable. As one Specularia editor lamented, “The hootings and brayings of motor cars intrude upon our classes. Smoke and soot shadow us.” She looked forward to the School’s move to the countryside, where students would enjoy broad new playing fields, tennis courts, and gardens.
The Adelaide Cobb Ward ’51 Academic Center, also known as the Classic Building, reopens following a $40M renovation that brings educational practices into the future for Upper School students.
At the same time, real estate developers O.P. and M.J. Van Sweringen were transforming Shaker Heights into a model planned community, complete with two streetcar lines connecting residents to Public Square. Believing that strong private schools were essential to the community’s success, they offered Hathaway Brown sixteen acres of land.
With this gift in hand, HB’s Trustees and Alumnae Association launched an ambitious $650,000 campaign to fund a new school building, to be designed by Walker & Weeks—Cleveland’s premier architectural firm. The 50th Anniversary Campaign inspired generous contributions, led by Grace Harman Mather and Marguerite Andrews Bradley, both of the Class of 1903, along with Dorothy Stearns Hornickel 1917, who together rallied parents, alumnae, and friends to bring the vision to life.
ROOTED IN HB, LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Mayor Bianca Motley Broom ’95
When Bianca Motley Broom ’95 walked through the doors of Hathaway Brown as a Kindergarten student from Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood, she could not have known that the lessons and friendships formed there would carry her all the way to the mayor’s office in College Park, Georgia—where she now serves as the city’s first woman and first Black mayor.
For Bianca, HB was not just a school; it was a second home. “I spent a lot of time on campus,” she recalls. “HB gave me an opportunity to really love learning, and that has carried through. Every day I had an opportunity to learn. It really developed that curiosity in me—in a very nurturing environment.” Bianca poured herself into both academics and leadership. She was president of Student Senate, a member of the Black Cultural Association, and an athlete on the basketball and track teams. She was also awarded Honor Girl at her 1995 commencement. “The great thing about HB,” she reflects, “is that it gave me the confidence to walk through any door.”
Top Left Photo: Broom, second from right in the back row, pictured with her second-grade classmates.
Top Right Photo: Bianca Motley Broom served as Student Senate President her senior year at HB.
Her love of history blossomed in Judy Nelson’s class, and she forged lifelong relationships with teachers like Anne Juster, with whom she remains close to this day. Bianca also found herself surrounded by a class community that reflected the richness of Cleveland’s diversity. “In our class of 52, we were pretty diverse,” she says. “I really took for granted that everyone knew the difference between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, what Diwali was, or that Ramadan meant teammates might need to pause and eat during practice. It was such a gift to grow up in that environment.”
Bianca’s strength of character was further shaped by her family. She was inspired by her mother, who earned her Ph.D. in education while Bianca was a student at HB. “I thought my mom was a superhero,” she says. “Between watching her and being a student at HB, it was formative in ways that I am still reaping the benefits of. It ingrained in me that women can do anything.”
Bianca also credits her grandfather, Marion Motley— one of the first four African Americans to integrate professional football in 1946 and later a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee—with instilling in her the resilience she carries today. “He faced obstacles I can only imagine, although he told us kids about some of the times he experienced blistering racism and discrimination. But he left it all out on the field and built a history-making career. He taught me that results are what matter—not what others say. Keep your head down and do the work.”
After HB graduation, Bianca studied public policy, religion, and African American studies at Duke University and earned an MBA at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a law degree at Washington University in St. Louis. She worked as an attorney, served as a Fulton County magistrate judge, and established a mediation practice before running for office. As her career flourished, she saw every chapter as essential preparation. “Don’t let fear stop you from taking chances,” she advises today’s HB students. “Even if things don’t turn out exactly as planned, you will still be building toward something bigger.”
Mayor Broom leads the City of College Park, Georgia, a community of approximately 15,000 residents with a $200 million budget.
Today, Bianca draws daily on her lessons of resilience, critical thinking, and courage as she leads a city of about 15,000 residents. It also has a healthy $200 million budget, due to the major businesses within its city limits, including part of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Southeastern headquarters of the FAA and popular restaurant Chick-fil-A’s corporate headquarters. “To me, at the heart of it, being mayor is a customer service business,” she explains. “HB taught me that my voice matters, that I belong in every room, and that women can lead. Those lessons are bearing fruit for me every single day.”
Looking back, she appreciates HB more each year— especially as a leader navigating the complexities of politics, budgets, and community needs. “HB is a place that allows you to dive into learning and encourages critical thinking. The world needs more critical thinkers. HB empowers you with the skills and confidence to solve problems.”
And while she continues to serve her community in College Park, Bianca remains grounded in the friendships and sisterhood forged at HB. She keeps in touch with classmates, participates in a book club that began during the pandemic, and returns for reunions. She also served as the keynote speaker for the Black Alumnae Affinity Group when they met at Alumnae Weekend in May 2025 where she reflected on how HB has impacted her life and career. “The relationships matter,” she says. “The sisterhood we share is special. HB women are extraordinary and doing amazing things. That connection sustains me.”
Her advice for current students and recent graduates? “Relax. Give yourself grace. Whatever you’re going through is just a chapter, not the whole book. Take chances, embrace the small victories, and know that HB has prepared you well.”
From Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood to the mayor’s office in Georgia, Bianca embodies the power of family legacy, resilience, and an HB education to ignite a lifelong love of learning, a belief in the possible, and a commitment to making one’s corner of the world better.
Empow Her:
BUILDING FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE FOR LIFE
As soon as you start talking with Elizabeth Falco ’01, it’s impossible not to get excited about what’s possible. An HB alumna with a career that spans investment management, fintech, economic development, and consulting, Elizabeth has returned to campus to lead EmpowHer—Hathaway Brown’s newest mentorship initiative, made possible through a grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation (EE Ford).
At its core, EmpowHer connects students with alumnae as they embark on their journey to financial literacy, guided by three essential elements: mentorship, empowerment, and philanthropy.
Building on Hathaway Brown’s tradition of preparing girls not just for school but for life, the program will help girls develop not only the competence to manage resources wisely but also the courage to use them for good.
MENTORSHIP
Cohorts of students will connect with alumnae to discuss financial empowerment, share real-world experiences, and reflect on building a healthy understanding of selfworth versus net worth.
FINANCIAL LITERACY & EMPOWERMENT
Through workshops and curriculum integration, students will gain practical skills in money management, financial decisionmaking, career exploration, networking, and values-driven investing. Just as importantly, EmpowHer will encourage open conversations about money— breaking down the silence and social norms that too often keep women from these discussions.
PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION
Students will explore the full cycle of philanthropy and learn about organizations focused on the needs of girls and women. Alumnae voices enrich this process, helping students think critically about purpose, giving, and impact.
Empow Her
A LEGACY OF SUPPORT
EmpowHer was made possible through a generous grant from the EE Ford Foundation, a long-standing partner of Hathaway Brown. Of the more than 1,000 schools that have received grants from EE Ford, HB is one of only a few to have been awarded more than ten. In 2008, an EE Ford grant established the Centers for 21st Century Learning, which evolved into today’s renowned Fellowships program. EmpowHer builds on that legacy, expanding the Fellowships in Business & Finance and preparing girls to think about money in ways that are both practical and purposeful.
“I am thrilled that Hathway Brown, with its Educational Leadership Grant to support the EmpowHer program, is continuing the school's long and successful partnership with EE Ford to lead the way for girls,” shared John Gulla, Executive Director of EE Ford. “The school is addressing a need in a way that brilliantly connects the HB generations. I will follow the progress of this program with great interest.”
WHY FINANCIAL LITERACY MATTERS
Financial literacy not only protects against debt and instability but also empowers independent choices about careers, relationships, and futures. With women still earning less, living longer, and often bearing greater caregiving responsibilities, financial knowledge is a critical tool for long-term security.
But financial literacy is about far more than balancing a checkbook—it’s about confidence, independence, and impact. Consider this: according to Citizens Bank, “the next 20 years will feature an unprecedented handover of wealth in the United States. By 2030, women will control $34 trillion in investible assets—three times the quantity they possessed at the start of the current decade.”
Furthermore, a report from UBS about women in finance states that while women tend to outperform men in investing, only 9% believe they can.
EmpowHer provides the skills, mentorship, and mindset students need to navigate these realities—equipping them to shape their futures with independence, purpose, and impact.
Elizabeth Falco ’01 has returned to campus to lead EmpowHer, HB’s newest mentorship initiative, made possible through a grant from EE Ford.
A VISION FOR LEADERSHIP
For Elizabeth, the work of EmpowHer is deeply personal. After graduating from HB, she began her career in wealth management, supporting financial advisors who worked with high-net-worth families—even as she struggled to navigate her own finances as a young professional. That experience sparked a journey of exploration: how money shapes our lives, how it reflects our values, and how it can be used as a force for good.
Her path has uniquely prepared her for her role at HB: earning an MBA, working for a fintech start-up, working in economic development, and consulting with a minority- and female-owned firm specializing in policy and DEI initiatives. She embodies an entrepreneurial spirit, with many different experiences but one clear through-line: a commitment to empowerment.
This spring, Elizabeth participated in the New England Impact Investing Initiative’s Spring Fellowship (NEIII), which deepened her understanding of how capital can be deployed for maximum impact while prompting her to reflect on her own relationship with money and meaning. She continues this work today, and just recently joined an Invest for Better circle, where she is in conversation with women from across the country about how to take action and align money more closely with values.
Through it all, Elizabeth has always stayed close to HB, serving on the Alumnae Council and later as its president. She relishes the opportunity to return to campus, mentor students, and spark conversations about money. “I love being back on this dynamic, joyful campus,” she says. “We want to open things up, bring the girls in. The energy here supports students and grows their understanding in so many different ways.”
EMPOWERED FUTURES
“EmpowHer isn’t about preparing students for a college application or a first paycheck,” explains Head of School Fran Bisselle. “It is about preparing them for life— equipping them with the confidence to manage money, the perspective to align resources with values, and the courage to use financial tools for impact.”
Now more than ever, girls need the skills and confidence to take ownership of their financial futures. With EmpowHer, HB students will have another tool to prepare them to lead boldly.
Sources
www.citizensbank.com, The Great Wealth Transfer has begun— with women shaping the financial future
UBS, Women and Investing: Achieving Lifetime Goals, February 28, 2024 “ Empow Her isn’t about preparing students for a college application or a first paycheck,” explains Head of School Fran Bisselle. “It is about preparing them for life—equipping them with the confidence to manage money, the perspective to align resources with values, and the courage to use financial tools for impact.”
WHERE THERE IS A WILL… THERE IS A WAY
To impact Hathaway Brown.
By naming Hathaway Brown as a beneficiary in your will, revocable trust, or retirement plan, you leave a legacy at HB, ensuring that your values live on through the empowerment of young women.
Discover the benefits of legacy giving for you and HB …
Bequests are … SIMPLE. Include a bequest provision in your will or add HB as a beneficiary to your accounts. REVOCABLE. If your circumstances change, you can easily revise your plans. FLEXIBLE. You can give a specific amount or a percentage of your estate or retirement plan. DEDUCTIBLE. Legacy gifts are deductible for federal estate tax purposes if your estate is subject to them.
MEANINGFUL. Your gift empowers the next generation to learn not for school, but for life.
For more information about creating your HB legacy, contact Clarke Wilson Leslie '80, Director of Advancement, at 216.320.8115 or cleslie@hb.edu.
Hathaway Brown
Impact Report
Philanthropy in Action IMPACT OF YOUR PHILANTHROPY
At Hathaway Brown, our ability to deliver transformational education is strengthened by our community of volunteers and philanthropic supporters. Your generosity empowers girls to rise boldly to the challenges of our times with a devotion to strong character and lifelong learning. On behalf of all our students, faculty, and staff, thank you!
Caroline Borrow, PhD Trustee, Advancement Committee Chair, and parent of Emma ’18
This report reflects gifts and pledges made to Hathaway Brown between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. To join our celebrated community of supporters, scan the QR code.
$9,023,765
TOTAL GIFTS AND PLEDGES
1,621
TOTAL DONORS
259
1876 LEADERSHIP SOCIETY MEMBERS*
6
NEW MARY E. RAYMOND LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS**
5
NEW ENDOWED FUNDS
* The 1876 Leadership Society recognizes donors who give $2,500 or more to HB each year
** The Mar y E. Raymond Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have included HB in their estate plans.
The Fund for Hathaway Brown
The Fund for Hathaway Brown is the cornerstone of philanthropy at HB, supporting academics, extracurriculars, tuition assistance, facilities, faculty salaries and professional development. We saw a 13% increase in Fund for HB donors during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, a testament to the power of collective participation.
1,543 FUND FOR HB DONORS
557 DONORS SUPPORTED GIVING DAY
FY25 Revenues
146 FIRST-TIME DONORS
$71,749 Dollars given through the OHIO TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM*
FY25 Expenses
1876 LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
CENTURY CIRCLE ($20,000+)
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. David F. Adler (Hedy Kangesser 1978)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anthony (Nancy Swegler 1971)
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Burnham (Alice Butler 1965)
J.C. and Helen Rankin Butler 1987
Dr. and Mrs. Paul A. Buttenwieser (Catherine Frum 1956)
Dr. and Mrs. Eric D. Conley (Susan Files 1967)
Julie and Jeffrey Cristal
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer DePetro
Dr. Barbara Ekelman 1975 and Mr. Mark D. Amaddio
Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Fedorovich (Lisa Battaglia 1983)
Katherine Freygang 1970
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Fulton, Jr. (Claudia Strong 1974)
Stephanie Skylar Hench 1978 and Eric Hench
Mr. Martin and Mrs. Thayer Sylvester Hoe 1993
Mr. Richard R. Hollington, Jr.
Virginia Jackson Horner 1950 +
Elizabeth Horvitz 2006
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Horvitz (Jane Rosenthal 1970)
Mary Joe Bregenzer Hughes 1963
Mr. Richard J. Jeschelnig and Ms. Michelle Shan-Jeschelnig
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Keefe (Pamela Butler 1962)
Elizabeth Keithley, Ph.D. 1970
Susan Crane Kesey 1975
Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Lacy (Elizabeth Haber 1983)
Robert and Catherine Herrick Levy ’93
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Martinez (Elizabeth Rusch 1958)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. McCreary III (Meredith McDaniel 1970)
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. McKenna (Laura Sullivan 1984)
Barbara Weber Mixon 1958
Suzanne McWilliams Murray 1948
Kurt and Melissa Upp Nelson 1965
Ms. Grace M. Offutt 1987 and Mr. Edmund Polubinski III
Mr. and Mrs. Jon H. Outcalt (Jane Quayle 1955)
Ann Rittinger Petersen 1946
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Scaravilli
Mr. Victor + and Mrs. Diann Scaravilli
The 1876 Leadership Society celebrates the alumnae, parents, families, and friends who give $2,500 or more to HB each year. These donors contributed more than 68% of the funds raised through The Fund for Hathaway Brown during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity.
Cumulative Years Giving Society is indicated as follows: 10-19 years 20-29 years 30-39 years 40+ years
Patricia Herrick Silverthorne 1951 +
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth F. Smith
Edna Dawley Strnad 1942
Dr. Lyse S. Strnad 1972 and Dr. Thomas Leavenworth
Mr. Szu-Nien and Ms. Kelly Su
Katherine Horvitz Trentacoste 2002
Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Weiner (Danielle Horvitz 2000)
Lynne Adams Winings 1988
Deborah Paul Wise 1964
Stephanie Paul Wise 1970
Erin Wolf 1975
CHAIR’S CIRCLE
($10,000 – $19,999)
Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Ames (Anne Brownell 1977)
Nic and Traci Barlage
Dr. and Mrs. James F. Bastian (Edith Jones 1982)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Biggar III (Katherine Shaughnessy 2008)
Dr. Mary Frances Bisselle and Dr. David Vincent
Mr. Mitchell and Dr. Caroline Borrow
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Crawford
Mr. John and Mrs. Trish Dorsey
Mr. Dennis P. Gallagher
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Goetzmann (Sara Cristal 2014)
Martha Shierson Harding 1961
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon D. Harnett (Mary Daley 1960)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hartford III (Jennifer McCreary 1990)
Mrs. John F. Herrick
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore T. Jones (Alison Corning 1953)
Mr. Peter Klein and Mrs. Kate King Klein 1980
Suzanne White McKown 1932 +
Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Mead (Susan Gunton 1981)
Mr. Jagdish and Dr. Madhuri Medarametla
Dr. and Mrs. John Nekic
Mrs. Joan D. Ostendorf +
Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Passarelli
Mr. John P. Reed
Mr. and Mrs. Justin J. Roberts
Margaret Knowles Rodgers 1957 +
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Sturgess (Catharine Stevenson 1972)
M. Hannah Sullivan 1982
Marjo Talbott 1972
Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Terrell (Sally Biggar 1976)
Priscilla Thompson 1960 +
Mr. and Mrs. Neil L. Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Voelker
Mr. Neil C. Weinberger
Dr. Mian Xie and Dr. Mi Wang
Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. C. Yang (Dorothy Jones 1972)
HEAD’S CIRCLE ($5,000 – $9,999)
Katherine A. Albert, M.D., Ph.D. 1972
Dr. Francisco Almeida and Dr. Debora Bruno
Angela Amos 2001
Linda Augustus 1979
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Barry
Cynthia Bassett 1957
Deborah Beal 1971
Dr. Ryan and Mrs. Kiara Berglund
Mr. and Mrs. William V. Biggar (Jane Corrado 1975)
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bittenbender (Christy Jones 1970)
Mr. and Mrs. James J. Boland
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Chapman (Josephine Lowden 1972)
Sara J. Cheheyl 1967
Mr. Paul Danes and Dr. Julie Tebo
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Doggett (Suzanne Danco 1970)
Mr. Jason Drake and Ms. Halley Moore
Ruth Swetland 1969 and Michael Eppig
Elizabeth Fritzsche 1973
Mary Wayne Fritzsche 1972
Katherine Gale 2032
Mr. Robert and Mrs. Leigh Gale
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Gannaway (Carran AuWerter 2000)
Mary Ginn 1961
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Griswold
Suzanne Meckes Hartford 1961
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer A. Haught (Caitlin Patterson 2006)
Mr. and Mrs. Adam J. Hollingsworth (Katherine Barr 1996)
Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Horvitz
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher K. Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Josh Kaufman
Kim I. Kaufman 1990
Dr. and Mrs. James T. Leslie (Clarke Wilson 1980)
Mr. and Mrs. Russ Lincoln
Nicholas and Jeannine Lubar
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Madding (Margaret Quintrell 1972)
Bonnie and Steve Marcus
Emily McGinty 2001
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin McGinty
Elizabeth Blossom Meers 1970
Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Miller (Mary Alice Steingass 1972)
Mr. and Mrs. Travis Mlakar
Marge and Dan Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Eric C. Morgan
Dr. and Mrs. J. Thomas Mortimer (Sarah Watterson 1959)
Mr. and Mrs. Brian F. Murphy (Cindy Calfee 1973)
Janet Eaken Narten 1961
Joy Johnson Nevin 1955
Mr. and Mrs. Peter W. Nordell, Jr. (Ellen Jones 1984)
Mr. and Mrs. Glen W. Pauley (Sheena Dee 1984)
Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Traci Quigley
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew B. Quinn (Alexandra Scaravilli 1992)
Clara Taplin Rankin 1934 + The Reef Family
Cynthia Gardner Resch 1975
Rebecca Bulkley Saunders 1957
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Scheible
Daniel and Courtney Schmidt
Jaya and Ramesh Shah
Ms. Koyen and Mr. Baiju Shah
Kara L. Smith
Joan Case Staley 1955
Mr. and Mrs. David I. Stein (Gail Weinberger 1975)
Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Tait (Annie Morris 1973)
Julie Terrell-Hooper 1976
Lissa Stouffer Thompson 1957
Shira and Jeremy Tor
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald M. Traub
Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Wechsler (Caryn Wolf 1970)
Roseanne Wincek 2000 and David Moretti
Dr. Jordan Winter and Ms. Ingrid Herrera
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Winterer (Stephanie Gale 1993)
Dr. Harriet Holan Wolfe 1961 and Dr. Gilbert Kliman
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Zenker
DEAN’S LIST ($2,500 – $4,999)
Anonymous (3)
Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Abbey (Constance Norweb 1970)
Mr. and Mrs. Abhishek Ahuja
Robert and Nancy Arnold
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Baker
Pamela deWindt Burke 1960
Mr. Anthony + and Ms. Jackie Burns-LaRiche
Ms. Elizabeth K. Chandler 1983 and Mr. Carl H. Greppin
Mr. and Mrs. H. William Christ
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Cimoroni
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Coleman
Gail Hipp Cooke 1960
Mr. G. Geoffrey Dampeer
Alan Peyrat and Lily Datta 1990
Sandra Rittinger Davis 1949
Judith and George W. Diehl (Judith Jaffa 1954)
Susan Donahey 1982
Justis and Gina Ehlers
Anne Ferguson and Peter Drench
Pamela Polite 1973 and Dennis Fisco
Mr. and Mrs. David Fouts (Belinda Brown 1969)
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Frezados (Kimberly Masius 1993)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gale III (Cathy Meister 1962)
Lauren A. Gibson 2001
Leslie Hastings 1977
The Hess Family
Ms. Valerie A. Hughes
Cassandra Johnson 1984
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kerkian (Nicole Stanich 2009)
Drs. Umesh and Monica Khot
Terri and Stuart Kline
Kendra Kocovsky 2003
Mara Beveridge and Luke Laffin
Elizabeth Rumpeltin Licht 1996
Karen Wicklund Lutz 1972
Linda Taft MacKinnon 1985
Drs. John and Nadia Mansour
Paul and Leslie Matsen
Mr. and Mrs. S. S. McMillan IV
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham C. Miller
Michael T. and Joan C. Mullen
Vivek and Roshana Nadkarni
Dr. and Mrs. Rob Nathan (Karen Neuger 1985)
Amy and Kim Nordstrom
Elizabeth DeMarco Novak 1977
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Paine III
John R. and Jane Takac Panza
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Patterson
Mr. Eddy and Dr. Melissa Piliang
Bill and Sandra Powel
Edith Quintrell 1981
Anthony F. and Debra B. Romano
Peter + and Jacqueline Castle Ronstadt 1960
Christina E. Saikus 2000
Mr. and Mrs. Rimantas Saikus
Mark and Shelly Saltzman
Dianne Schubeck, M.D. 1976
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan N. Sieck (Julia Berkman 1999)
Anne Weiss Singer 2009
Mr. Craig R. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher E. Smythe
Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Sullivan, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Tighe (Camille Ames 2009)
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew R. Tuttle (Laura McCreary 1993)
Christeen Tuttle 1969
Nirav and Aarti Vakharia
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart C. Van Wagenen (Virginia Brown 1974)
Mr. Haosai Wang and Dr. Chengcheng Jia
Fred and Wilma + Watkins
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Weiss
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Ziering, Jr. (Margaret White 1968)
YOUNG ALUMNAE – 2010-2025 1876 LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
Anonymous
Maya Ahuja 2013
Anne Ames 2012
Courtney Black 2013
Emma Borrow 2018
Aly Bryan 2013
Amaia Calhoun 2019
Margaret Cha 2017
Linda Connors 2018
Emily Duijser 2019
Jacquelyn Ellis 2017
Catherine Engles 2020
Lucy Taft Hoge 2012
Marguerite Irefin 2016
Caroline Jones 2014
Eleanor Jones 2018
Elizabeth Kilbane 2010
Sarah C. McCann 2013
Isabel Catanzaro McGrath 2016
Lucie Read McGuirl 2010
Valerie Mischka 2018
Leah Mustee 2013
Alison Nordell 2014
Nell Patterson Parker 2011
Anna Reighart 2011
Sarah Scott 2021
Josephine Strang 2014
Rebecca Levinsky Telzak 2010
Ava Warcaba 2020
MARY E. RAYMOND LEGACY
SOCIETY
Mr. CLASS OF 1913
Frances Coulton Brown +
CLASS OF 1914
Mildred Sacket +
CLASS OF 1915
Irene Gurley Boyd +
CLASS OF 1916
Ann Corlett Ford +
CLASS OF 1917
Eleanor Armstrong Smith +
CLASS OF 1918
Virginia Hubbell +
CLASS OF 1919
Alice Quayle Osborne +
CLASS OF 1920
Polly Prescott +
CLASS OF 1921
Alma Crouse MacBride + Elizabeth Kennedy Riggs +
CLASS OF 1922
Priscilla Willard Good + Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft +
CLASS OF 1923
Virginie Petrequin Haffenreffer+
Josephine Rudolph Sloan +
CLASS OF 1924
Georgia Gary Cannon +
CLASS OF 1925
Isabel Marting +
CLASS OF 1926
Mary Hine Barkwill + Mary Shotter Creech + Frances Doolittle Lesser +
MaryLouise Brown Prescott + Pauline Thesmacher +
CLASS OF 1927
Ruth Chase Brothers + Ruth Strong Hudson +
Julia Van Gorder Partington + Louise Blyth Timken +
Established in 1994 in honor of a beloved Hathaway Brown School headmistress, this giving society recognizes alumnae and friends of the school who have shown their commitment to the future by making HB a beneficiary of their estate plans. Members of the Mary E. Raymond Legacy Society will be remembered in perpetuity for their confidence in the excellence of an HB education.
To learn more about creating your HB legacy, contact Clarke Wilson Leslie ’80, Director of Advancement, at 216.320.8115 or cleslie@hb.edu.
CLASS OF 1929
Harriett Green Artzt +
Beatrice Johnson Crouse +
Joanna Eakin Despres + Carolin Heller Woldman +
CLASS OF 1930
Edith Bannon + Elizabeth Crofut Day +
CLASS OF 1931
Anonymous + Elizabeth Mather McMillan +
CLASS OF 1932
Harriet Mullin Barry + Frances White Field + Phoebe Flory +
Helen Vilas Ginn +
Janet Dingle Kent +
Peggy Bradley Kling +
Suzanne White McKown +
Emma Raymond White +
CLASS OF 1933
Margery Todd Bell + Elizabeth Johnson Perry + Elizabeth Lambright Wilkinson +
Jill Buckley Dangler + Mary Uehling Loughridge + Jean Gould Moore + Corinne Fisher Smythe
CLASS OF 1949
Anonymous
Martine Vilas Conway + Nancy Wilson Craig + Sandra Rittinger Davis
Shirley Brown Dawson
Elizabeth Frolking McBride +
Barbara Wise Steinmeyer + Nancy Kadow Treadway +
CLASS OF 1950
Nancy Christiansen Carpenter + Barbara Johnston Crampton + Virginia Jackson Horner + Peggy Luckiesh Kundtz + Gretchen Loehr Mattes +
CLASS OF 1951
Anonymous + Marcella Fisher Anderson + Carole Fries Blum + Marta Lindseth Jack + Jean Tinnerman Karcher + Elizabeth Sessions Kelsey + Sarah Stevens Miller
Patricia Herrick Silverthorne + Suzanne Stokoe +
CLASS OF 1952
Anonymous + Jean Alexander McSweeny +
CLASS OF 1953
Anonymous
Sandra Ross Herman + Carol Thompson Wykoff +
CLASS OF 1954
Diana Rigg
CLASS OF 1955
Anonymous (2)
Elizabeth Easton Bartlett + Sally Curtiss Fahrenthold + Frances Crouse Helsing + Joanne Hiscox + Anne O’Donnell + Jane Quayle Outcalt
Marilyn Dougherty Walker + Susan Kettering Williamson +
CLASS OF 1956
Anonymous +
Mary-Elizabeth Beale Eaton
Oriel Eaton
Nancy Crane Heller + Kathleen Dunn Lyman
Gretchen Zeiter Sliker
Linda Vaughan + Donna Watkins Zorge +
CLASS OF 1957
Anonymous +
Anonymous
Cynthia Bassett
Judith Klein Keller
Elizabeth Carpenter Listerman
Margaret Knowles Rodgers 1957 + Susan Harper Spring
Elizabeth Endicott Rands + Elizabeth Dunlop Richter
CLASS OF 1963
Mary Frances Mathay
Linda Gibson Paine
CLASS OF 1964
Diane Horsburgh Thompson
CLASS OF 1965
Carolyn White Barr +
Martha Gibson Marsh
Nancy Tillinghast
CLASS OF 1966
Nancy Hitchcock Harvey +
Lucia Berger West
CLASS OF 1967
Anonymous
Susan Files Conley
Anne Kennedy
Antonia Snyder Mann + Katherine Templeton O’Neill
CLASS OF 1968
Helen Kuss Ewen
CLASS OF 1969
Belinda Brown Fouts
CLASS OF 1970
Constance Norweb Abbey
M. Katherine Albrecht
Christy Jones Bittenbender
Catherine Kuss
Meredith McDaniel McCreary
Patricia Smith Nabers
CLASS OF 1971
Anonymous
Cathryn Conlin Bauman
Helen France
Cynthia White Halle
Jill Hand Hautzenroeder
CLASS OF 1972
Anonymous
Nanci Fox Taylor
CLASS OF 1973
Laura James Fallon
Pamela Polite Fisco
Cindy Calfee Murphy
Annie Morris Tait
Wren Withers
CLASS OF 1974
Anonymous
Katharine Goss
Emily Hartwell Taylor
Virginia Brown Van Wagenen
Musette Vincent
CLASS OF 1975
Anonymous
Christine Forward Finnegan +
Michele Johnson Rogers
Erin Wolf
CLASS OF 1976
Terry Anderson
CLASS OF 1977
Maggie Calkins
Cynthia Albrecht Durham
Lori Matia +
Elizabeth DeMarco Novak
Gail Stennies
CLASS OF 1978
Inajo Davis Chappell
Stephanie Skylar Hench
CLASS OF 1979
Anonymous
Margaret Fulton-Mueller
Nancy Powers
CLASS OF 1980
Clarke Wilson Leslie
Susan Downie Wheeler
CLASS OF 1981
Sandra Bergsten
Dana Smythe Hollister
Peggy Nungesser Kellermeyer
CLASS OF 1983
Laura Bozell
Lisa Battaglia Fedorovich
CLASS OF 1984
Cynthia Richards Heller
Sheena Dee Pauley
CLASS OF 1985
Karen Neuger Nathan
CLASS OF 1986
Dana Lovelace Capers
Heather Gordon Schloss
Sandra Albrecht Wurzburger
CLASS OF 1988
Laquita Blockson
Melissa Crocker
Elizabeth Mortimer
CLASS OF 1989
Hillary Oppmann
Kamala Prince
CLASS OF 1990
Anonymous
CLASS OF 1991
Anonymous
CLASS OF 1996
Anonymous
CLASS OF 1998
Katherine Griswold
Jane G. Winston
CLASS OF 2000
Renee Moldovansky Downing
CLASS OF 2001
Anonymous
CLASS OF 2006
Anonymous
FRIENDS OF HATHAWAY BROWN
Anonymous + (2)
Anonymous (3)
Peter W. Adams + Glenn G. Anderson +
Robert H. Ball +
Mary Frances Bisselle
Alfred C. Body +
Joseph E. Brown + Karl R. Bruch, Jr. +
Ann Calkins +
Roland + and Marjorie Carlson
Homer D. Chisholm
H. William and Diane Christ
John L. Dampeer + Edward de Coningh+
William + and Sally+ De Lancey
Dottie O’Neill Donahey + Dorie Sue S. Eisele +
Susan Faulder +
Eric Gray + James and Jane Griswold
Clyde J. Henry
Fannie W. Hirsch +
Thomas H. Horner +
Valerie A. Hughes
Jonathan + and Katherine + Ingersoll
Glenn + and Wendy Looman
Robert C. McAdoo + Alexander McAfee +
Katherine K. Mitchell
Clyde + and Deborah H. + Nash
George P. Needham + Charles J. Neuger + George H. Page + Philip F. Partington + James V. Pease
Gertrude R. Reese +
Eugene Richter + Elsa Shackleton + Charles L. Smythe, Jr. + Jeffrey H. Smythe + Theodor M. Sokolowski
Billie H. Steffee + Alice Tang+
W. Hayden Thompson + Marcia J. Wexberg
Welcome Home and
D Alumnae in the Seattle area gathered at the home of Lynn Harris Ross ‘70 to kick off HB’s 150th celebration.
E Fran Bisselle visited with Lillian Winans Bleiman '98 and Lizzie Crotty '16 in Seattle.
F HB 150th celebration in Denver at the home of Melissa Upp Nelson ’65.
G Suzanne Mazhuvanchery ‘08 and her family joined fellow HB alumnae, families, and students for a special HB picnic at the Blossom Music Center as part of HB’s 150th celebration. Following the picnic, attendees enjoyed a magical screening of The Lion King underscored by The Cleveland Orchestra.
Photo credit: Kamron Khan Photography
H Emily Foote-Huth Lammers '08 and Julia Kleinhenz '08 recently stopped by HB for a visit.
PROFILES OF Possibility
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF HB EXCELLENCE
In 1876, five girls knocked on the door of the Brooks Military Academy to enroll and were turned away.
That’s where it started.
Not just a school that would one day become Hathaway Brown, but a mission; a way of looking at the world that sees what could be, rather than just what is.
The deep-seated curiosity required to learn for life, the courage to take the lead and shape the future for ourselves. The full embrace of unbounded possibility that has powered HB for 150 years—and will inspire us to lead for at least 150 more.
As Hathaway Brown celebrates its 150th anniversary, the Profiles of Possibility series highlights the diverse and extraordinary paths our alumnae have taken since their time at HB and will inspire the next generation of remarkable women.
Share YOUR story today and read the submissions of your fellow Blazers by visiting www.hb.edu/profiles or by scanning the QR code.
HB ALUMNAE Affinity Groups
Did you know that HB has three Alumnae Affinity Groups? Learn more about each group or inquire about starting a new group by reaching out to the Office of Alumnae Engagement by emailing hbsalum@hb.edu.
Black Alumnae Affinity Group (BAAG)
BAAG is a space designed for any HB alumnae who identify as Black. The mission of the group is to offer Black Alumnae pathways for connection, support, and engagement with fellow alumnae of color and current HB students who identify as Black.
• We meet monthly
• Support the Black Alumnae Affinity Group Scholarship Fund by making a gift or pledge. Visit hb.edu/donate.
• Interested in learning more or joining us? Contact JeffriAnne Wilder ‘94 at jeffrianne@gmail.com.
HB Entrepreneurship Alumnae Affinity Group
Launched in 2025, this new affinity group is designed to connect and support HB entrepreneurs and promote their businesses to the wider HB community. The group is also working with the Business and Finance Fellowships to provide mentoring and guidance to students.
• We meet the first Monday of each month from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. EST via Zoom.
• Interested in learning more or joining us? Contact Erin Wolf ‘75 at erinwolf0428@gmail.com and Elizabeth Falco ‘01 at efalco@hb.edu.
LGBTQA+ Alumnae Affinity Group
The LGBTQA+ Alumnae Affinity Group is a dedicated community for alumnae who identify as LGBTQA+. Rooted in affinity, we honor the bonds and shared experiences that connect us. Reunited in fellowship, we gather across generations to celebrate, uplift, and support one another. Reimagining belonging, we actively create an affirming space where every alum is seen, valued, and embraced.
• We host both in-person and virtual gatherings on a regular basis to ensure connection and accessibility for all alumnae.
• Interested in learning more or joining us? Contact Reverend Whittney-Marie Murphy ’07 at RevWhittneyMarie@gmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE
IDEO
DECEMBER
19, 2025
Coffee and Seasonal Treats 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. followed immediately by the IDEO Procession.
HB’s beloved winter tradition, IDEO, will feel especially festive this year as it becomes part of our 150th anniversary celebration. Join us for a festive morning at HB filled with seasonal treats, warm drinks, and heartfelt conversations! Help us cheer on the Class of 2026 as they process through the halls and symbolically join generations of HB women who have participated in this cherished tradition for over 80 years. We look forward to celebrating with you!
ALUMNAE WEEKEND
MAY 15 AND 16, 2026
<<REGISTER TO ATTEND
Join us for a very special Alumnae Weekend as we celebrate HB’s 150th birthday!
An elevated Brown and Gold 150th Reception will take place on Friday, May 15th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of celebration!
All class years are welcome, with a special emphasis on classes ending in 1 and 6 celebrating a milestone reunion. Visit HB.edu/ AlumnaeWeekend or scan the QR code for details including hotel information. Registration will open Spring 2026. Questions?
HB150 SpreadTheHBSpiritFarandWide!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS…
1. Cut out your Blazer Pennant.
2. Pack Blazer Pennant in your luggage and take it on your next Weekend Getaway, Holiday Trip or on your next outing.
3. Show some spirit! Wear your favorite HB Brown and Gold and take a picture with your Blazer Pennant.
4. Email your photo including name, class year, location, and fun caption/ description to: hbsalum@hb.edu.
5. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let’s see how many places we can take our Blazer Pennant and spread our HB school spirit!
19600 North Park Boulevard Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
Mark Your Calendars!
NOVEMBER 18, 2025 - San Francisco, CA
Alumnae 150th Reception at The Olympic Club.
NOVEMBER 19, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA
Alumnae 150th Reception at Jonathan Club.
DECEMBER 8, 2025 - Cleveland, OH
7:00 p.m.
HB Masterworks Concert at the Maltz Performing Arts Center featuring Alumnae, Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff.
DECEMBER 19, 2025 - Hathaway Brown 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
IDEO Coffee and Seasonal Treats followed immediately by the IDEO Procession at HB.
FEBRUARY 3, 2026 - Naples, FL
Alumnae 150th Luncheon, hosted by Connie Norweb Abbey ‘70.
APRIL 21, 2026 - Washington, DC
Alumnae 150th Reception at the Army and Navy Club.
MAY 15 - 16, 2026 - Cleveland, OH
Alumnae Weekend at HB - Registration opens early Spring!
MAY 17, 2026 - Cleveland, OH
HB + Cleveland Guardians Baseball Game
SEPTEMBER 2026 - Boston, MA
Alumnae 150th Reception. Location TBD.
OCTOBER 2026 - New York, NY
Alumnae 150th Reception. Location TBD.
NOVEMBER 2026 - Atlanta, GA
Alumnae 150th Reception. Location TBD.
DECEMBER 2026 - Hathaway Brown
IDEO Coffee and Seasonal Treats
JANUARY 2027 - Palm Beach, FL
Alumnae 150th Reception. Location TBD.
by visiting hb.edu/150th or scan the QR Code.
Permit No. 3439
150 YEARS AND BEYOND –JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY!
Hathaway Brown is celebrating 150 years of bold beginnings, brilliant minds, and unbounded possibilities. To mark this milestone birthday, we’re planning unforgettable events—from joyful gatherings to cherished traditions—that will bring our community together across generations. Whether you’re new to HB or your ties go way back, there’s something for everyone. Come celebrate with us!
