2020 Cornelian Award Winners

Susan “Todd” Warner Jackson ’57

Susan “Todd” Warner Jackson ’57 has spent a lifetime helping young people succeed at school, particularly those who need a guiding hand. After many years as an educator and learning specialist, she became co-director of the “Young Reviewers” program for the Bank Street College of Education’s Children’s Book Committee, where she has volunteered for the past 20 years. This role combines her two favorite things: literature and working with children.

Todd Warner Jackson ’57 with student book reviewers from the Cornelia Connelly Center in Manhattan

Even in retirement, Todd is eager to share her passion for reading with the next generation. She particularly enjoys recruiting young reviewers for the Bank Street book committee, which evaluates titles for their literary quality and emotional impact. “I like to have a diverse group,” Todd explained. “I’ve worked with a range of ages, and it’s always interesting. Kids really are sensitive readers.”

Todd credits Mayfield as a turning point in her life, although she only attended for two years. After her family relocated from the East Coast, she quickly found her place in the tight-knit class of 25 students, making lasting friendships with women she still stays in contact with. Todd and her best friend, Becky Peters O’Malley ’57, remain close, and Todd recently helped Becky celebrate her 60th wedding anniversary via Zoom.

Currently Todd divides her time between Essex Meadows and New York City, and keeps her Actions Not Words spirit alive by volunteering with the Cornelia Connelly Center in Manhattan, a Holy Child middle school that serves at-risk children. Over the past four years, she has added to their library, arranged literary workshops and author visits, and recruited students as members of her “Young Reviewers” team.

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Sr. Anne Kelley ’65

Sr. Anne Kelley ’65, RGS has devoted the past 50 years to serving and supporting the vulnerable, especially women and children. When Sr. Anne first met the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, who were then serving teenage girls fleeing abusive homes, she quickly came to a revelation: “The only difference between me and these girls is the opportunities they did not have,” she said. “I had far more than one person should have, and those gifts need to be shared.”

Bay Area-based Mayfield alumnae volunteer with Sr. Anne at the Good Shepherd Gracenter in San Francisco.

Although Sr. Anne didn’t graduate from Mayfield, she loved everything at the school: the girls, the faculty, the equestrian team, and, most especially, the spirit of “Actions Not Words.”

In 1994, Sr. Anne became Executive Director of Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles, serving mothers and their children experiencing domestic violence. Sr. Anne’s unflappable determination and unmatched charisma inspired Mayfield students and alumnae to host holiday celebrations for the families at the shelter for more than 20 years, and many Mayfield graduates still reflect on those transformational experiences.

Since 2016, Sr. Anne has been Associate Executive Director at the Good Shepherd Gracenter in San Francisco, an addiction recovery program for women lacking resources. She recently raised $500,000 to expand the program.

Sr. Anne prefers to honor others rather than receive accolades herself, but is pleased to see the emphasis Mayfield places on giving back. “There are so many ways to give and so many people who need their talents, love and generosity. Mayfield teaches this well, models it well and launches it well. That makes me very proud to be a Mayfielder.”