Cornelian Award Winners

The “Actions Not Words” contributions of this year’s two co-recipients for Alumna of the Year— both Harvard grads and dedicated public servants—span generations of our alumnae (and women’s!) history. The Hon. Margaret Morrow ’68 is a trailblazer in the legal profession and Jeanette Acosta ’04†, who we lost to cervical cancer just months before the awards ceremony, was honored posthumously for her work as a social justice and civil rights warrior.

2018 Cornelian Award Winner: Jeanette Acosta ’04 †

Jeanette Acosta ’04 † (1985-2017) was the “the epitome of Cornelia Connelly,” said Abeni Carr ’02.

Jeanette Acosta ’04 was the “the epitome of Cornelia Connelly,” an activist, lawyer, change-maker, a warrior for those in need, said Abeni Carr ’02, who nominated her in September 2017.

At Mayfield, Jeanette served as Class President and ASB Vice President. At USC she interned for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and received a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellowship in the office of Congressman Xavier Becerra. Jeanette graduated cum laude as a Presidential Scholar with a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from USC. She also received USC’s prestigious Laurel and Palm award for leadership, scholarship and service.

Jeanette launched her public service career as an Ameri-Corps VISTA-César Chávez Fellow where she founded the Sí, Se Puede! Learning Center for Mexican immigrant children in Hollister, Calif. As a Fulbright Scholar, Jeanette researched how to improve education policy in Zacatecas, Mexico.

She earned her Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2012. She served as Latino Vote Director with President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign in Iowa and then as the United Farm Workers Foundation Immigration Reform Campaign Director in Washington, D.C.

Jeanette earned her J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law and became a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

In December 2016, Jeanette was diagnosed with Stage 4A cervical cancer, which she fought with courage. After a life dedicated to social justice, civil rights and educational equity, Jeanette died in December 2017. Her family accepted this posthumous award at homecoming Mass.

Jeanette’s parents, Frank and Maryann, her boyfriend Chris and her brother Robert were on hand to accept the award on her behalf.

2018 Cornelian Award Winner: Margaret Morrow ’68

Margaret (holding Cornelian Award plaque) with Head of School Kate Morin (far left) and friends

The Honorable Margaret Morrow ’68 is a distinguished jurist and national leader in the legal profession. She is woman of faith with a caring heart who builds community, advocates for women in her profession and is devoted to justice for the underserved.

Margaret has served on Mayfield’s Board of Trustees and the board of Bryn Mawr College, where she graduated in 1971 magna cum laude with honors before attending Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1974.

She began her legal career at Kadison, Pfaelzer, Woodard, Quinn & Rossi as the firm’s second woman associate. Margaret served as President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Barristers Section, starting its pro bono Domestic Violence Clinic. Later, she was named President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

In 1993, Margaret became the first woman President of the State Bar of California, prompting President Bill Clinton to appoint her to the Judicial Bench of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in 1998. She also led the effort to build a new Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles.

After retiring from the bench, she took on a new career as President and CEO of Public Counsel, a non-profit that provides legal aid to the underserved.