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Mills Quarterly Winter 2012

Inauguration & Reunion The Mills community celebrates

M I L L S

C O L L E G E

A N N U A L

F U N D

Her support is music to the ears of today’s students. Elinor Armer ’61 is a renowned composer and recipient of the Gerbode Foundation New Music Composition Award and Norman Fromm Composer’s Award. She founded the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Composition Department in 1984 and chaired the department through 1995. Elinor gives generously each year to the Mills College Annual Fund.

came to Mills in the late 1950s from a small high school where we had to keep our light under a bushel lest we imperil our popularity. It was nice to find that quite the opposite was true at Mills College. I give to Mills in gratitude for the breadth of experience I had as a music major at the College, which prepared me for a life in music, and because of my enduring belief in women’s education. A college like Mills always needs the financial support of its alumnae. Our gifts are a signal to potential students and donors that the College is worth their investment.

Signal your belief in Mills with a gift to the Mills College Annual Fund. Give by calling 510.430.2366, picking up the phone when a student calls, or visiting www.mills.edu/giving.

Reunion 2011, pages 10–15

Mills Quarterly

contents Winter 2012 6

Going outside the gates by Valerie Sullivan

Summer internship programs for Mills students provide practical learning experiences and beneficial ties with the city of Oakland.

Amid purple irises by Nina Egert, MA ’80

Restaurateur Yoshie Akiba, MFA ’76, embodies a unique blend of artistic achievement, Zen philosophy, and business acumen.

Representing Mills

Alumnae, students, academic dignitaries, and friends of the College thronged to campus to witness the inauguration of President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux.

Twenty years of change by Arabella Grayson, MA ’96

Mills has become known as a diverse and inclusive campus community—thanks to the efforts of the Alumnae of Color Committee. Plus: Sisters of the Seventies.

14 Dare to be powerful women by Arabella Grayson, MA ’96 Dedication to volunteer service and social justice connect this year’s winners of the awards presented by the Alumnae Association of Mills College.

Reunion snapshots

A montage of images from the best-attended Mills Reunion ever.

32 Sound off! The Mills campus and culture inspire alumnae haikus.

Departments 2

Letters to the Editor

Message from the President

Mills Matters

16 Class Notes with Notes from Near and Far: Alumnae Activities Report plus photos of Reunioning classes ending in 1 or 6 29

In Memoriam

On the cover: Courtney Long ’01 was among the more than 650 alumnae who attended Reunion and Inauguration September 22–25. Read more about that weekend’s events on pages 10–15. Photo by Dana Davis.

Letters to the editor I am honored to be a Mills alumna.

I g r a d u at e d f r o m Mi l ls in

When I graduated in 1977 the world

English, French literature, and art his-

seemed so full of possibilities, chal-

tory; did graduate work at Occidental

lenges, and opportunities. In many ways

and USC; and also took courses at the

young women back then were just break-

University of Geneva. In my fifties, I had

ing into career fields that were still very

occasion to get a certificate in computer

much a boys’ club only. We were tough

programming. I have always remained

Volume XCX Number 2 (USPS 349-900)

and determined!

totally impressed by the high standards

I sense a kindred spirit from words

of education at Mills, and felt totally pre-

Winter 2012

spoken by Mills’ new president, Alecia

pared to attempt anything in competition

President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux

DeCoudreaux. Her career choices and

with anyone—including challenges in the

personal life seem very familiar to me

business world that I have encountered

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Cynthia Brandt Stover

now that I am in my 50s and ponder from

in the last 30 years after many years as a

where I came, where I am now, and where

wife, mother, and hostess.

Senior Director of Communications Dawn Cunningham ’85

I choose to go.

I have led a very rich, full life, and

I thank Mills College for the education

the liberal arts education that I received

I received both academically and person-

at Mills has not only provided me with

Managing Editor Linda Schmidt

ally. I am ecstatic about the College’s new

an excellent foundation upon which to

president and proud to be able to look at

build, but has equipped me with a well-

Design and Art Direction Nancy Siller Wilson

her and see a “familiar” face: a woman of

furnished mind; I have spent much of my

color who possesses grace, intelligence, an

life alone, but have never been bored!

Contributing Writers Nina Egert, MA ’80 Arabella Grayson, MA ’96 Valerie Sullivan

air of kindness, and absolute importance.

Editorial Assistance Allison Marin ’12 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. Copyright © 2011, Mills College Address correspondence to the Mills Quarterly, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Letters to the editor may be edited for clarity or length. Email: quarterly@mills.edu Phone: 510.430.3312 Printed on recycled paper containing 10 percent post-consumer waste.

I wish her all the best and I will sup-

attend events on campus, I was delighted

port her and Mills more diligently from

to hear the Michael Krasny interview with

now on and in the future, because Mills

Alecia DeCoudreaux on KQED radio, and

College (obviously) is keeping pace with

to know that Mills has been placed in such

positive change.

excellent and inspiring hands. —Juliana Jones ’77

—Marie Escher ’52

Pasadena, California

Arcata, California

Have a comment or opinion? Write to us at Mills Quarterly, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613 or quarterly@mills.edu. Letters may be edited for clarity or length.

At Mills, for Alumnae Mills College will be closed for winter break and furloughs from December 17, 2011, through January 8, 2012. Alumnae Relations Alumnae.mills.edu 510.430.2123 alumnae-relations@mills.edu Alumnae Admission Representatives Joan Jaffe, Associate Dean of Admission 510.430.2135 ..........................joanj@mills.edu Vala Burnett, Assistant Director of Admission 510.430.3369.....................vburnett@mills.edu

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

As I now live too far away to be able to

Career Services 510.430.2130 Giving to Mills www.mills.edu/giving 510.430.2366........................... mcaf@mills.edu Alumnae Association of Mills College (AAMC) 510.430.2110 . ..........................aamc@mills.edu Linda Jaquez-Fissori ’92, President ...................................... 510.430.3374 To contact the AAMC, please write to: AAMC, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., MB #86, Oakland, CA 94613-1301

A Message from Mills College President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux

ince the global economic down-

• Administrative offices at Mills will

turn began in 2008, Mills College

shut down from December 17, 2011,

has faced significant financial chal-

through January 8, 2012, during which

lenges. Like many other colleges

time staff will have a seven-day fur-

and universities, Mills saw a decline in the

lough. Exempt staff will have an addi-

income generated by our endowment1,

which supports our operating budget.

tional five-day furlough in the spring. • We will reduce the amount the College contributes to employee

This academic year, Mills is facing an

retirement plans.

even more challenging financial situation. Although we admitted an excep-

We wish it were possible to balance our

tionally bright and promising entering

budget without these measures, but

class, its numbers are smaller than in past

since employee compensation is the larg-

years. Our revenue from tuition, fees,

est component of the College’s budget,

and housing is $3.5 million less than we

reductions in this area are unavoidable.

had expected. This shortfall, in combina-

We will seek additional savings by not hir-

tion with reduced endowment revenue,

ing new staff to fill some vacant adminis-

means the College must now enact deci-

trative positions and by reorganizing staff

sive cost-cutting measures.

to achieve greater efficiency. Meanwhile,

I have been working with the Faculty

to advance Mills’ core mission of educat-

Executive Committee, our new campus-

ing students, we will protect tenure-track

wide budget committee, College trust-

faculty positions and hire new professors

ees, and my cabinet2 to develop a plan

as needed.

us in the coming year about ways of volunteering). • Give to Mills regularly, especially through the annual fund, which supports salaries for faculty as well as

for eliminating our budget deficit while

We will also seek to reduce non-salary

investing in our top priorities: Mills’ aca-

expenses that do not compromise edu-

demic excellence and the quality of our

cational quality. For example, we will

During its 159-year history, the College

students’ experience. By wisely address-

not print an annual report of donors.

has faced challenges even greater than

ing today’s financial realities, I believe our

We will communicate with our alumnae

this budget deficit. The short-lived deci-

plan will strengthen Mills for the future.

and friends using email whenever possi-

sion to become co-educational in 1990

ble—including sending updates on Mills’

was certainly one of them! Mills emerged

financial situation.

from these challenges stronger than ever

We are still finalizing some details of the plan, but we have already announced

scholarships for students.

to the campus community measures that

Although we must be very restrained

because the College community came

will save nearly $1.35 million in the cur-

in our use of resources, we remain com-

together to make hard decisions and to

rent fiscal year. Many of these measures

mitted to investing in a strong alumnae

invest in the College’s future.

involve temporary reductions—which will

relations program that includes Reunion

I am confident that by working together

remain in effect through June 2013—to the

and regional events. During this time, we

we can keep the College both financially

compensation paid to College employees,

need the support of alumnae and others

sustainable and academically exceptional.

starting with me and my cabinet:

more than ever before. You can help Mills

I would especially like you to play a role in

• I will reduce my salary by 3 percent,

in several ways:

showing the world, once again, how deeply

• Make sure we have your email address

invested our alumnae and friends are in

and Provost and Dean of the Faculty

so we can communicate with you in

Sandra C. Greer will reduce hers by 2.75 percent. Other members of my cabinet will take 17 days of furlough

• Volunteer to assist with Mills events and programs (you’ll hear more from

each year. • Tenured and tenure-track faculty will shoulder salary reductions that range between 1 and 2.5 percent depending upon their tenure. Faculty will have alternatives to the salary reduction, such as teaching one additional class by June 2013.

the future of this amazing institution.

the most cost-effective way possible. Sincerely, Alecia A. DeCoudreaux

1 On June 30, 2007, Mills’ endowment peaked at an all-time high of $233 million. As of June 30, 2011, it stood at $183.4 million.

The cabinet includes the president, provost and dean of faculty, chief of staff/vice president for operations, vice president of institutional advancement, dean of student life, dean of undergraduate admissions, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer (currently held by two positions: interim vice president for finance and treasurer and interim vice president for human resources and administration), and the vice president and general counsel.

winter 2012

Mills Matters We’re listening to you!

efforts to reduce expenses, the honor roll will not be printed this

This fall, Mills College completed a year-long research project

year (see President’s letter, page 3). Events. Events featuring a speaker or performer are of greatest

involving nearly 750 alumnae in order to evaluate the ways it

interest to alumnae, especially if the speaker/performer is a Mills

engages with its graduates through communications, events, and

professor or alumna—or famous. Alumnae are also very keen on

fundraising. The project included an online survey conducted

arts events.

last summer as well as small discussion groups in Los Angeles,

Half the survey respondents have attended Reunion at Mills, most often because of a desire to connect with classmates.

Oakland, Portland, and New York. Research results are already helping the Office of Institutional Advancement make adjustments to many of its programs to better serve the interests and needs of alumnae. We’re pleased to share a summary of key findings here. Overall, alumnae expressed deep support for the College’s mission to educate women, a passion for honoring Mills’ past,

Discussion group participants also said they like meeting current students and their own former professors. Regional events were rated highly in the discussion groups and the survey; alumnae want more opportunities to connect in their local communities.

AAMC. Most alumnae are aware that the Alumnae Association of

and an understanding that the College needs to evolve to face

Mills College remains an independent organization from the

the challenges of the future. They value highly the educa-

College; survey respondents said the AAMC’s most important role

tion they received at Mills and their connections with faculty

is to act as a voice for alumnae.

and classmates. Many feel that Mills already does a good job

Giving. Mills ranks high among organizations to which alumnae

at keeping alumnae engaged, but collectively their responses

would donate. More than 80 percent of survey respondents said

highlight ways that the College could improve the alumnae

they had made gifts to Mills, though less than 50 percent did so

experience.

annually.

Communications. Both the discussion groups and the survey

Nearly 90 percent of survey respondents who donate or volunteer

showed that the Mills Quarterly is the most valued communica-

do so in order to maintain Mills’ strong reputation. Undergraduate

tion from the College among alumnae of all ages. What do

student scholarships is the need at Mills that alumnae are most

alumnae want to read in the Quarterly? Class notes, stories about

interested in supporting.

Mills history and traditions, and stories about academic pro-

The survey concluded with an invitation to share hopes for Mills’ future with President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux—and nearly 450 alum-

grams rated highest. The Annual Report of Giving—also known as the honor roll

nae responded. “You are being carried on a great wave of hope,” said

of donors—rated among the least important of College com-

one. “Good luck! We are a vocal bunch but we will support you if you

munications. In recognition of this finding and as part of Mills’

choose to focus on a strong liberal arts women’s education. Welcome!”

Calendar Mills College Children’s School 85th Anniversary Gala

Mills Music Now January 27  Dewing Piano Recital

Mills College Art Museum

February 4, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm, Lokey Graduate School of Business Gathering Hall. For information and to RSVP, contact 510.430.2118 or children@mills.edu.

with Ursula Oppens

On view January 18–March 11

February 11  Center for Contemporary Music Concert

Opening reception: Jan. 18, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm

Contemporary Writers Series January 31  Tyrone Williams March 6  Achy Obejas March 27  Renee Gladman and Rena Rosenwasser All events start at 5:30 pm, Mills Hall Living Room, free. For information, contact Stephanie Young at 510.430.3130 or syoung@mills.edu. 4

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

February 18  Alvin Lucier Concert March 8 –11  Signal Flow (various times/ locations, free) All events start at 8:00 pm in the Littlefield Concert Hall (unless otherwise noted). $15 general, $10 seniors and non-Mills students, free to alumnae with AAMC card. For information, see musicnow.mills.edu or contact Steed Cowart at 510.430.2334 or steed@mills.edu.

Spaces of Life: The Art of Sonya Rapoport

Lecture series January 25  Trevor Paglin February 8  Jennifer Steinkamp February 15  Apsara DiQuinzio March 14  Laurel Nakadate Lectures start at 7:00 pm in the Danforth Lecture Hall; admission is free. For information, see mcam.mills.edu or contact 510.430.2164 or museum@mills.edu. The museum is open 11:00 am–4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 am–7:30 pm Wednesday, and is closed Monday. Admission is free.

The state

of the College A snapshot of campus facts and figures Students by the numbers Total enrollment

1,555

Undergraduates 941

Students staged a flash mob dance to welcome President DeCoudreaux at lunch following her inauguration.

Resumers 16% Full-time 94% Living on campus

55%

Students of color

42%

Top declared majors among undergradu-

New undergraduate students First year

ates are English; psychology; political,

Transfer 105

legal, and economic analysis (PLEA);

Nursing 29

child development; anthropology and

Average high school GPA

sociology; and biology. Graduate students

Financial aid 148

614

of first-year students

3.72

Students of color

48%

Entering 309

First-generation

Continuing 303

college students

21%

Auditing 2

Age range

17–58

Women 80%

Bent Twigs

Men 20%

Parents

Students of color

High school valedictorians

39%

14 4

Top graduate programs are education,

First in their graduating class 7

MBA, English, pre-med, music, and

Student body presidents

public policy.

Captains of a sport

Languages spoken

Full-time undergraduate tuition for the 2011–12 academic year is $38,066. Approximately 97 percent of undergraduate students receive financial aid; 95 percent receive some portion of their aid directly from Mills. The average award is $35,220. This year, $31.6 million in total aid will be awarded to undergraduates, of which $15.8 million is funded by Mills. Graduate tuition begins at $28,280. Eighty-nine percent of graduate students received financial aid totaling $16.2 million. Mills funded $4.2 million of that amount.

Budget and fundraising highlights

Faculty

Full-time Part-time

Total

100 103

Women

66% 68%

Of color

30%

25%

Student-faculty ratio 11:1

Annual budget

$79.3 million

(subject to change pending additional budget reductions)

Endowment value (June 30, 2011)

$183.4 million

Giving to Mills

$11.0 million

Trustee gifts

$2.1 million

Top marks for Mills

Alumnae gifts

$2.5 million

• Ranked fifth among colleges and universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report.

Gifts from parents, friends, and others $0.9 million

• Ranked seventh in the West in U.S. News & World Report ’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” for high academic quality relative to the net cost of attendance. • Named one of the Best 376 Colleges and one of the “greenest” campuses in the nation by The Princeton Review. • Selected as one of the top 30 master’s universities by the Washington Monthly. • Featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, which lists only 315 of the country’s best and most interesting colleges and universities. photos by S te v e Babul jak

Foundation and corporate gifts

$2.4 million

Estate gifts

$3.1 million

Mills College Annual Fund gifts

$1.7 million

(includes gifts from several categories above) winter 2012

Summer internships connect Mills students with the Oakland community By Valerie Sullivan

he opportunity to get up early

and practices that shape a sense of iden-

but learned how to use state-of-the-art

and take pictures at Oakland’s Madison

tity and place. In Madison Park, interns

software to map how, where, and when

Park was a research dream come true for

counted heads and conducted interviews

the park is used. Interns logged their data

Iris Corey ’12. Corey was one of five Mills

with people twirling their way through

using Geographic Information Systems

College students who took turns rising at

vigorous arm exercises, practicing the

(GIS) to produce an animated map that

dawn this summer to document the way

slow and deliberate moves of Tai Chi and

shows that as many as 300 people use

people use the park, which is in an area

Qigong, and even line-dancing in the

the park daily, most of them between the

under consideration for redevelopment

early morning hours.

hours of 5:00 am and 10:00 am. They also

by the city.

“What I initially wanted to get was

created a video and storyboard which is

“People have a misconception that the

experience with social research,” says

now part of a traveling exhibit destined

park is not used, so city planners see it as

Corey. “Some students struggle to find

for planning meetings and other places to

a space for development,” explains Visiting

ways to relate to Oakland—this program

gain support for saving the park.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

provided a bridge. It was awesome!”

Rachael Stryker, who managed the proj-

Elizabeth Welsh ’12 echoes the thought:

While faculty mentors provided

ect in conjunction with the Oakland Asian

“Going out into the city, you feel more

guidance, the students did the work. In

Cultural Center. Interns conducted a com-

connected.”

all, some two dozen interns participated in

plex “cultural mapping” project to dem-

“What interested me was the potential

five summer projects that Mills developed

onstrate how important the park is for

to link Mills to the community and, as an

in partnership with the city of Oakland,

its neighborhood. Cultural mapping is a

educator, to take the lesson out of the

including mentoring/coaching inner-city

process used to identify and document

classroom,” says Stryker. “I was able to

kids, training budding entrepreneurs,

the cultural resources of a community,

teach anthropology in a way I had never

establishing a career advisory network for

including arts and heritage organizations

taught it before.”

former foster youth, and studying traffic

or cultural occupations as well as intan-

Interns in the cultural mapping project

patterns to improve neighborhood vital-

gible assets such as stories, traditions,

not only gathered data about park users

ity. These “Investing in Oakland” projects

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Iris Core y ’12

going outside the gates

were selected based on the benefit they

really rewarding,” says Ashley Schaffer

of Public Policy Mark Henderson, who

would provide to participating students

’12. Interns then helped students create

oversaw both transit projects.

and on their relationship to city priorities

success maps, building in adult and peer

“From a policy perspective, this is what I

of education, neighborhood safety, eco-

support to help them overcome potential

love most: promoting growth and change

nomic development, sustainability, and

obstacles. “It isn’t just about dreaming

for the greater community,” says Jillian

mentoring.

big. It’s about fleshing out what it takes

Harris ’12, who researched Bus Rapid

Interns in one program designed an

to get there,” explains Michaela Daystar

Transit, a system which uses a desig-

original curriculum to help kids between

’06, who directs the Institute for Civic

nated bus lane and signal light priority to

the ages of 10 and 12 expand their career

Leadership at Mills and co-managed the

move buses quickly and more efficiently

aspirations. “We were teaching them

coaching project with King. They hope to

through congested areas. Veronica Perry

that you are making choices every day

build an alumni network of youth who

’12 surveyed Jack London Square to come

to get where you want to be,” explains

have gone through the program and can

up with short- and long-term solutions to

Diana Arbas ’12. After learning a meth-

mentor others, she adds.

the parking problems and confusing sig-

odology developed by two-time Olympic

Still other interns found themselves in

nage that plague the area. “The Bay Area

athlete Marilyn King that emphasizes

unexpected places—inside a Jack London

has been progressive in some areas, but

passion, vision, and action as steps to

Square parking garage, for example, or

public transportation hasn’t been our

high achievement, the interns designed

studying traffic patterns along Oakland’s

forte,” she says. For Veronica Beaty ’11,

lesson plans to help preteens figure

busy International Boulevard—as they

one great lesson was learning about the

out their career goals. A typical lesson

participated in a collaborative project with

complexity of urban planning. “I got a

asked kids to identify who they wanted

Oakland’s public works department to

sense of the difficulty of balancing how

to be. Not surprisingly, many named a

improve bike and pedestrian flow on city

diverse a city is, how many conflicting

famous football star or singing sensation

streets. Two years ago, Mills worked with

needs there are,” says Beaty, who is now

like Beyoncé. By the time they finished

the city on a plan to improve bike and

pursuing her master’s in public policy at

exploring their interests and options,

pedestrian access in the Laurel District

Mills and has been hired as an intern by

they began to recognize other possibili-

near campus. That project is helping to

the city to continue her work through

ties, such as becoming a medical scientist

create a more vibrant and viable neigh-

the fall semester.

or video engineer. “Seeing kids realize all

borhood, with more people able to stop

the opportunities available to them was

and shop there, says Assistant Professor

Faculty and students alike appreciated the interdisciplinary nature of the work, with interns from different disciplines working together. “They all came in with their different expertise and taught one another,” says Stryker. Intern Hélène Langlamet ’12 agrees: “People were bringing different perspectives to the project. There was a different type of expression and different ideas coming from every person.” Working in Oakland also gave interns a profound sense of their surroundings and their ability to contribute to the community in vital ways. “It’s not just abstract theory. This actually prepares us to do something,” Welsh says. “It made me more aware of the city,” adds Harris. “Mills is a beautiful, safe community but we have what’s known as the Mills bubble.

s te ve babul jak

We need a reason to go outside the gates.” Ana Reidy ’12 says her work with inner-city youth taught her an important lesson. “A small group of people can do really powerful things,” she says. “It’s good to challenge yourself, get out of the Roy Chan, from the Oakland Asian Cultural Center,

comfort zone and be part of something

with Madison Park interns Hélène Langlamet, Iris Corey, Elizabeth Welsh, and professor Rachael Stryker.

bigger than Mills.” winter 2012

Yoshie Akiba, founder of the famed jazz club that bears her name, exemplifies the best of the arts of Japan and the U.S. Story and photos by Nina Egert, MA ’80 “We were college students who needed to earn money. We thought that if we started a restaurant, at least we would have enough to eat,” Yoshie Akiba, MFA ’76, jokes about the founding of Yoshi’s Jazz Club and Japanese Restaurant with friends Kaz Kajimura and Hiroyuki Hori. Surrounded by the lush flowers of her Rockridge garden, the lithe, diminutive dancer peers out from beneath a white cowboy hat that shades her eyes from the afternoon sun as she recalls the restaurant’s earliest days in 1973. “Kaz was a journalism grad student, working for UPI [United Press International]. Hiro was an art student, and I was studying painting at Berkeley,” she says. “We opened a small place in the back corner of a food court just north of the UC campus: Hiro cooked, I waited tables, and Kaz would come back from his job in the city to wash dishes and clean up.” The three owners decided that most patrons would find it easier to pronounce “Yo-shi,” and so left the final “e” off of their restaurant’s name, she explains. I can only image how exhausting it must be to run a restaurant while taking college courses. Not for Akiba, who, after a full day of work and study, would head to San Francisco with her friends. “We were big fans of jazz. Often after closing we would drive over to North Beach to catch the act playing at the Keystone Korner.” It’s not at all surprising that the art student would also be a jazz aficionado—in fact, Akiba’s life has long been saturated

Yoshie Akiba

with arts of all varieties. She holds a master’s degree in dance from Mills (and still performs regularly) and is skilled in ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, and tea ceremony.

by the crowds and parking problems convinced the authorities

When the restaurant moved, expanded, and evolved in 1977,

to revoke the club’s invaluable liquor license. Faced with poten-

Yoshie and Hiro decorated the building’s exterior with an eye-

tial financial ruin from loss of liquor revenues, not to mention a

catching mural of purple irises. “Someone suggested there was

decline in customers, Akiba thought up a bold plan to bring in

a building available on the corner of College and Claremont in

a new set of clients.

north Oakland. I went over to check it out and thought, ‘This is it—

Reformatting the restaurant’s floor plan, she and her partners

this is the place!’ So we moved, put in a sushi bar downstairs and

created a music venue, hired an experienced booking manager

a dance floor upstairs. That way I could take time off from work

from Chicago, and started bringing in world-class jazz bands.

and go listen to the music,” Akiba remembers. Live Latin bands

Within a short time, some of the biggest names in jazz were

provided an upbeat soundtrack for dancing at the restaurant.

showing up to play at the modest Rockridge sushi bar. By the

Whether as a result of the irises, the dancing, or Hiro’s master-

time the restaurant’s liquor license was restored, it had become

ful cooking, Yoshi’s on Claremont quickly became a victim of

known as one of the most desirable spots in the country to both

its own success. As its popularity grew, neighbors disgruntled

perform in and listen to quality jazz.

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

“So how did you become interested in jazz in the

all very intelligent, educated women. That was in the evening,”

first place?” I ask. Yoshie squints quizzically from beneath the

says Yoshie. “But before the dancing started they had me get up

cowboy hat. “I mean, how did someone growing up in post-war

and entertain. I would sing songs like ‘Come On-a My House’

Japan become a fan of American culture, American music?”

[Rosemary Clooney’s first hit tune] and improvise dances. The

“You have to understand,” Akiba begins. “Japanese women benefited from the American occupation. Women had always

sailors would give me candies and chocolates and chewing gum. I learned all the popular American tunes.”

been kept at home and, for the first time, were being offered not

Yoshie was exposed to more than just pop culture. One of

only new educational opportunities, but actual jobs working for

her instructors taught contemporary modern dance; their

the military.”

troupe performed at the local high school. Then, while studying Japanese tea ceremony near Tokyo, she met the American brother of one of her classmates, a classically trained pianist fulfilling his military service as a naval officer. She won his heart, the two married, and he brought her back to the States. “I made him promise that he would let me study dance if I came to America,” Akiba says. With her husband on the faculty at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, she learned music and dance from some of the best teachers on the East Coast. But Yoshie was too free-spirited for a conventional marriage. “A friend told me about what was happening in Berkeley,” she says, and the lure was irresistible. In time, she packed her bags and fled to the Bay Area. She found work as a seamstress for a local designer, then enrolled in painting and dance classes, first at Merritt College, then at UC Berkeley. And while her artistic talents helped make the restaurant a success, it did not fully satisfy her need to perform. So in 1975, she enrolled in Mills’ graduate dance program, earning her MFA in 1976. During her Berkeley days, Akiba had become re-acquainted with the values of her Japanese heritage, ironically, through the writings of Sausalito-based Alan Watts. Her tea master from Japan had also moved to northern California, and they were able to reconnect. Today she lives at a Zen meditation center in Rockridge with her Zen-master husband, Gengo Akiba. The teachings of Zen Buddhism permeate her philosophy on life and business: “We believe in certain values: goodness, truth, generosity, and beauty,” she says, and those values clearly underlie every aspect of the way that both customers and performers are hosted. No wonder Yoshi’s (now with two locations in Oakland’s Jack London Square and the Fillmore District in San Francisco) has come to be considered among the most desirable performance venues for world-class jazz musicians. And as one of the Bay Area’s favorite gathering spots, Yoshi’s has unintentionally given rise to something even more valu-

Apparently, Americans also introduced their culture directly

able. In a world filled with discord, people of every ethnicity and

into the foster home where Yoshie resided. Shortly after the end

persuasion check their differences at the restaurant’s door, and

of World War II, her widowed mother had placed the five-year-

crowd around the bar’s tables to nibble sushi and drink in the

old Yoshie in a facility run by the daughter of a wealthy busi-

jazz. Akiba demures, “We didn’t think in terms of improving race

nessman. “There wasn’t very much food available after the war,”

relations when we started the club. We just wanted everyone to

Akiba continues, “so I had to go down to the seashore to collect

enjoy the music.”

edible seaweed to sell in the marketplace.” To raise money for the home, some of the teachers at her school had organized a dance hall for the wives and officers living at a nearby American naval base. “The single men, of course, liked to come and dance with the teachers, who were

That they do. Nina Egert, MA ’80, has her photo exhibit, Yone Noguchi in California: A Japanese Poet Among Oakland’s Famous Writers, on view through January at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. winter 2012

Representing The inauguration of President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux

“

hese symbols of office represent the custodianship of this great institution that we entrust to your very capable leadership,” said Kathi Burke, chair of the Mills College Board of Trustees, as she

presented Alecia DeCoudreaux with the original 1876 college charter, the official Mills College seal, and the chain of office, a necklace bearing the names of DeCoudreaux’s 12 presidential predecessors. More than 1,500 alumnae, students and their families, faculty and staff, academic leaders representing 60 different institutions, and friends of the College witnessed the inauguration. Among the crowd were Marilyn Schuster ’65, provost and dean of the faculty at Smith College, and Wendy Ng ’79, professor of sociology at San Jose State University. The installation ceremony took place on September 23, 2011, in conjunction with Convocation, at the start of Reunion weekend. On these pages we share excerpts from President DeCoudreaux’s inaugural address, selected words of other speakers that day, and photos of those who gathered to launch a new era of leadership on campus. See a video of President DeCoudreaux’s full address at www.mills.edu/inauguration.

photos by S te v e Babul jak

“This ceremony is only the beginning,” said Kennedy Golden, associate dean in the Division of Student Life, who spoke at the event. “President DeCoudreaux has committed herself to Mills; to our students, staff, faculty, alumnae, and benefactors; to our future; to ensuring that Mills will be here for another 158 years; to our important mission and vision; and to ensuring that Mills students will have the opportunity to travel their many roads with one destination.”

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Mills Excerpts from President DeCoudreaux’s inaugural address

ills is not just a leading liberal arts college—we are a leading liberal arts college for undergraduate women. At the time of President Holmgren’s inauguration two decades ago, there were more than

300 women’s colleges across America. Today, there are fewer

“Part of your role as Mills’ new leader is to inspire the many members of the Mills community. You have already inspired us and I know that you will continue to do so,” AAMC President Linda Jaquez-Fissori ’92 said from the podium as she addressed the new president. “To my fellow alumnae, I hope that your renewed interest in and enthusiasm for Mills will continue and that you make a recommitment to your alma mater. Whether you live near or far, I encourage you to be a part of this new chapter in Mills history.”

than 60. So in a real sense, we are an endangered species . . . . Yes, women have made substantial progress. Yet today, in

2011, we comprise just 17 percent of Congress, and only 2.4 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs. Clearly, we have a long way to go. And as long as these cultural and economic disparities exist, women’s colleges must continue to exist. We must continue to exist, because it is not enough to tell young women that they can accomplish anything. Here at Mills, they do exactly that. They are surrounded by strong female role models and a community that sets high standards and expects every student to meet and exceed them. Here at Mills, there’s no such thing as a field of study where a high-achieving woman is the exception to the rule. Our students go confidently into the world with both the skills and the selfesteem to conquer any obstacle….

may have just moved into the lovely house on Orchard

I first gained a sense of community from my maternal grand-

Meadow Road, but I’ve heard time and again from students

mother. She was a very kind, loving, and generous woman who

and alumnae who say that Mills is the place where they

served as a midwife. To her, the job of a midwife didn’t end with

found their voice. That’s a place worth preserving. A place

the birth of a child. She felt a lifelong responsibility for each

worth cherishing. It’s also a place worth expanding. And by this

child she welcomed into the world. She didn’t just raise our fam-

I mean spreading the Mills magic to the community around us.

ily; she raised an entire community. I believe we all have a responsibility to do the same. Many of our students are already deeply engaged as good neighbors and socially responsible citizens—from our student-athletes who paint schools, to our graduate students who teach at community centers, to those who find time to volunteer independently. In the years ahead, I would like for us to go even further—to do even more. This is what we stand for. This is who we are. We are impatient in the face of injustice. We believe that the obligation of a Mills graduate is not just to analyze or assess the world, but to remake it. In the end, the time that each student spends on this campus is remarkably brief. As a community, our job is to ensure that wherever life takes our students from here, a piece of Mills stays with them to guide their journey. As Dean Hettie Belle Ege used to say, “Remember who you are—and what you represent.” I will always remember that I represent you. I am deeply honored to be your president—and your partner on this important journey. winter 2012

Twenty years of change

The Alumnae of Color Committee continues to encourage diversity at Mills By Arabella Grayson, MA ’96

lumnae of color came to campus in record num-

In 1991, with enrollment the lowest in 20 years and campus

bers during Reunion—many returning to celebrate

diversity an ongoing concern, the AAMC set out to increase par-

20 years of change led by the AAMC’s Alumnae of

ticipation by alumnae of color in College and alumnae affairs,

Color Committee (AoCC) and to attend the inau-

recognizing in particular that alumnae of color were an invalu-

guration of the first woman of color president. Throughout the

able, untapped resource for alumnae leadership and student

weekend, the AoCC hosted a series of well-attended events,

recruitment. They asked Redus to co-chair a diversity commit-

culminating in the 20th Anniversary Celebration program on

tee along with attorney Diane Chin ’85, who was working with

Sunday, September 25. Nearly 100 alumnae and faculty of color

students of color on leadership development training and facili-

joined together to share committee history and their roles in

tating discussions on diversity issues. Thinking a year would be

making Mills a more diverse and welcoming community.

ample time to address diversity issues, they agreed to serve. The

Committee historian Estrellita Hudson Redus ’65, MFA ’75,

group was renamed the Alumnae of Color Committee and, 20

led alumnae and guests on a journey through time, recalling

years later, the committee remains committed to fostering reten-

the student protests waged by African American women at

tion and recruitment of alumnae, students, faculty, and admin-

Mills in 1969 that resulted in the creation of the Ethnic Studies

istrators of color and in supporting a Mills community where

Department, as well as efforts in the early 1990s that led to

people of color are valued and empowered as full participants.

enrollment increases among African American students and the

From its inception, the committee has played a pivotal role

hiring of faculty and administrators of color—vivid reminders

in shaping College policy, achieving success by building alli-

of how different Mills’ cultural landscape looked 20 years ago,

ances and fostering strong relationships. By listening to students

when the AAMC formally reached out to alumnae of color.

and alumnae, studying the College’s institutional structure, and

Sisters of the ’70s They came to Mills during an era of dramatic social change and political promise. As students, these “Sisters of the ’70s,” inspired by women of color on-campus speakers such as Shirley Chisholm and Kathleen Cleaver, confronted issues of racism and empowerment. They returned to campus on September 23 to welcome and celebrate another Sister of the ’70s: Mills’ new president, Alecia DeCoudreaux, Wellesley ’76. Several, like Ammie Felder-Williams ’76, had not felt compelled to return to campus in the 35 years since her graduation. But the opportunity to be present for the historic inauguration of Mills’ first president of color spurred her to conduct an extraordinary ninemonth outreach campaign to other Sisters of the ’70s, in partnership with Alumnae of Color Committee Chair Cynthia Guevara ’04. 12

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Unity in diversity: Nearly 100 attendees celebrated the achievements of the Alumnae of Color Committee; Ammie Felder-Williams ’76 presents President Alecia DeCoudreaux with an honorary Pearl M pin.

being an insightful advisor in strategic planning, the 10-member

and social justice issues,” said Redus, the first woman of color

AoCC has a “big voice” in effecting change, said Redus.

elected as an Alumna Trustee to the College’s Board of Trustees

Indeed, it does. In its first year, the AoCC hosted a Diversity

in 1996. Under the watch of the AoCC, undergraduate enroll-

Awareness Workshop for all AAMC board members, committee

ment for women of color has grown to 42 percent—making Mills

chairs, local branch presidents, and staff. Months later, with sig-

one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges—and enrollment of

nificant input from the AoCC, then-President Janet L. Holmgren

graduate students of color has grown to 39 percent. Currently,

initiated the Mills College Multicultural Advancement Plan. In

30 percent of full time faculty are people of color.

1995, the AAMC Board of Governors adopted a strategic plan

Tenured faculty of color Bruce Williams and Julia Sudbury

with a mandate that 30 percent of alumnae leaders be women of

Oparah, who both came to Mills in 1997, shared their own per-

color; they achieved this goal in just two years.

spectives on the changes at the College. Williams, a professor

“By embracing our mission and working with all of our con-

of sociology, said he was drawn to Mills because of President

stituencies, we partnered with President Holmgren in inclusion

Emerita Holmgren’s “public commitment to diversity.” Oparah, head of the Ethnic Studies Department, said she views alumnae of color as the “heart of Mills.” She credits their stalwart commitment to social justice and diversity with transforming the cam-

Many alumnae said they came back to campus for inauguration because AoCC leadership reached out with a personal invitation. Sheryl Bize-Boutte ’73, former executive director of the Alumnae Association of Mills College, reflects on the invaluable life experience she gained during the turmoil that marked her student years: “In spite of the issues of those times, my education and degree from this institution are permanent and precious assets worthy of ongoing recognition, nourishment, connection, and celebration.” Guevara considers it a privilege to chair the AoCC. “It’s a true sisterhood,” she says of her work with Alumnae of Color Committee members. “I’m always learning from them—they always step up and blow everybody’s mind!”

photos photos by by dana dana dav davis is

pus and with promoting “healing change.” The committee’s voice was sought again last year when the College embarked on the search for its new president. AoCC members met with representatives from the search firm to discuss the opportunities and challenges the incoming president would face and to share their thoughts on the characteristics the ideal candidate should embody. Upon learning that Alecia DeCoudreaux had been selected 13th president of Mills, AoCC Chair Cynthia Guevara ’04 experienced “pure joy” and immediately found herself asking, “What can we do to support her?” “Along with our allies and partners, we made it happen, but not in a vacuum,” said Redus. “Mills does an excellent job in bringing the type of leadership that doesn’t exclude others.”

winter 2012

Dare

to be powerful women

The 2011 Alumnae Awards

Committee. Last spring, Dang assisted in coordinating the first annual Nurse Day at Mills, when 30 Mills nursing students and

By Arabella Grayson, MA ’96

Educational Outreach Committee and the AAMC Nominating

alumnae met with local nurses representing all areas of healthcare to share personal experiences and professional challenges.

canopy

Dang said she struggled through the nursing program and so felt

of scattered clouds, the

compelled to support students by helping to “initiate a buddy

Alumnae Association of

process for nursing students to engage with professional nurses

Mills

(AAMC)

who share like interests.” She hoped her leadership in alumnae

recognized the outstanding contri-

affairs would inspire other recent graduates to become involved

butions of its honorees at the fifth

in College and AAMC activities.

eneath

cool

College

Alumnae Awards ceremony. Buoyant

Cynthia Guevara ’04 highlighted the extraordinary leader-

from the previous day’s Inauguration,

ship of civil rights attorney Diane Chin ’85, recipient of the

hundreds of graduates and guests

Distinguished Achievement Award, whose lifelong commitment

assembled on Holmgren Meadow (for-

to social justice began as a Mills undergraduate. Hers is a power-

merly Toyon Meadow) on September

ful voice that has continually fought for her clients even when

24 to celebrate three alumnae whose

she, admittedly, wasn’t feeling as courageous as those she rep-

exemplary service to the College and

resented. In the wake of 9/11, Chin reached out to Muslim and

the community has effected social

South Asian communities, developing trainings for Bay Area

and political change.

lawyers to assist victims of hate crimes and discrimination. Chin

Anita Aragon Bowers ’63 presented

has served with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the

Susan Brown Penrod ’71 with the

San Francisco Bay Area; the Oakland branch of Protection &

Outstanding Alumna Volunteer Award.

Advocacy, a statewide disability rights agency; and as a senior

Penrod first became active in the

trial lawyer for the Office of Citizen Complaints, an independent

AAMC working a telethon. Because

agency that investigates grievances against the San Francisco

she enjoyed the people with whom

Police Department. She is currently a lecturer and associate dean

she worked, Penrod was inspired to do

for public service and public interest law at Stanford Law School.

more. This fond “fanatic for the AAMC”

In her concluding remarks, Chin charged her Mills sisters to

has spent 40 years serving and later

be strong women, proud women, Mills women—and to “let us

leading the College through a mul-

always dare to be powerful women.”

titude of transitions in her past roles as a member of the AAMC Board of Governors, chair and volunteer for the Alumnae Fund, class agent, co-chair of the Cyrus and Susan Mills Society, president of the AAMC, and Alumna Trustee on the College’s Board of

Alumnae award winners Susan Brown Penrod ’71 Irina Dang ’08, and Diane Chin ’85

Trustees, where she served as founding member and chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Alumnae Relations. “Volunteering for Mills is obviously an important part of my life,” said Penrod. She recalled that she was prepared for this work as a student at Mills, where “the supportive community and small classes helped me learn to form my own opinions and speak my mind.” Irina Dang ’08 accepted the Recent Graduate Award from her teacher and mentor Rita Stuckey, MA ’01, EdD ’05. A registered nurse, Dang is a graduate of the Mills College/Samuel Merritt University Nursing Program and a current member of the AAMC 14

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

photos by dana dav is

Who should we honor next year? You can help the AAMC choose honorees for 2012 by nominating alumna candidates for: • The Distinguished Achievement Award; • The Outstanding Volunteer Award; and • The Recent Graduate Award. Please send information about each nominee’s achievements and qualifications to: Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02, Alumnae Awards Chair, Alumnae Association of Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., MB #86, Oakland, CA 94613. Please include your name, phone number, address, and email address. Nominations must be received by May 16, 2012, and candidates must be able to attend the award ceremony at next year’s Reunion, September 27–30, 2012. For more information, email aamc@mills.edu or call 510.430.2110.

Reunion 2011 1 President DeCoudreaux thanks Patsy Chen Peng ’51, MA ’53, who has pledged to fund a visiting professor in Chinese language and literature for three years. 2 Alumnae learn about annelid memory from Professor of Biology Jared Young and his students. 3 Sheryl Bize-Boutte ’73, Albertina Zarazua Padilla ’78, and Deborah Brooks Vaughan, MA ’71, speak on an alumnae of color panel. 4 AAMC President Linda Jaquez-Fissori ’92 and Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02, toast another fun Reunion. 5 The President greets Mills icon Jane Cudlip King ‘42. 6 Bea Jordan Crumbine ’66 (left) and Cris Russell ’71 (right) chat with Tri-State Scholarship recipients. 7 Peiling Kao, MFA ’10, performs an improvisational dance on Adams Plaza.

8 Jaquez-Fissori and DeCoudreaux mingle with the Golden Girls. 9 Lynette Castille-Hall ’75, Cynthia Guevara ’04, and Glynda Cober Hardin ’77 share a smile. 10 Sisters Maria Salaices Dinella ’81, Lauren Salaices Hidalgo ’84, and Gina Salaices Ney ’85. 11 Student residents welcome alumnae during the Olney Hall open house. 12 Class of ’71 Mills Hall residents gather. See more Reunion photos online at alumnae.mills.edu

winter 2012

Berlyn left a legacy for Mills students. You can too.

Berlyn B. Brixner (1911–2009) Berlyn was the widower of Audrey Chew, who taught English at Mills College for 10 years. Berlyn designed high-speed cameras and optical lenses at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. He and Audrey bequeathed one-fifth of their estate to Mills.

Janice Ma ’12 Janice has benefited in countless ways from unrestricted

A bequest allows you to leave a lasting legacy at Mills while keeping your assets during your lifetime. Providing for the College through your will or living trust makes you eligible for membership in the Aurelia Henry Reinhardt Society.

bequests, including Berlyn’s. These support the salaries of faculty members, merit scholarships—such as Janice’s Presidential Scholarship—and other needs on campus.

To learn more about creating a legacy of your own at Mills contact us toll-free at 1.877.PG.MILLS (1.877.746.4557) or planagift@mills.edu.

If you’ve already included Mills in your estate plans, please let us know.

Gifts in Honor of Received March 1–August 31, 2011 Alumnae Association of Mills College 2010-2011 Board of Governors by Michelle Balovich ’03 Cathlyn “Cathy” White Beekman ’64 by Sara “Sally” Matthews Buchanan ’64 Brandy Tuzon Boyd ’91 by Lisa Kosiewicz ’91 Calia Brencsons-Van Dyk ’90 by Catherine Ladnier ’70 Laurel Burden ’68 by Nangee Warner Morrison ’63 Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02, by Beverly Curwen ’71 Gordon Chong by Ann Sanders Class of 1946 by Madeleine Ebbesen Davis ’46, Barbara Johnson Penhallow ’46, Helen Barbour Poindexter ’46 Class of 1951 by Marilyn McAllister Anderson ’51, Jeanne Aurel-Schneider ’51, Edith Mori Young ’51 Class of 1961 by Ann Gordon Bigler ’61, Cynthia Bird ’61, Linda Little Braming ’61, Alice Lane Deane ’61, Joyce Grantham ’61, Ann O’Brien Hildebrand ’61, Linda Teague Key-Biro ’61, Linda Rooney Markstein ’61, Denise Libarle McCarthy ’61, Carolyn Jensen Monday ’61, Judith Lamont Parent-Smith ’61, Susan Chaffins Press ’61, Nancy Thompson Price ’61, Barbara Singer ’61, Sally Gould Wilson ’61 Class of 1963 by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Class of 1966 by Kathryn Boyl Goldsmith ’66

In honor of her graduation Chasty Rae Ayson ’11 by Josephine and Sonny Ayson Isis Blanchette ’11 by Thomas Blanchette

Class of 1971 by Roberta Lathrap Davis ’71, Maurine Martin Harkness ’71, P ’00, Gretchen Henerlau Leavitt ’71, Stephanie Lincoln ’71

Katherine Breithaupt ’11 by Mary and Henry Breithaupt

Class of 1976 by Erica Brevet-Stott ’76, Ammie Felder-Williams ’76, Jacqueline Phillips-Jackson ’76

Anna Fornaeus ’11 by Lena and Johan Fornaeus

Class of 1981 by Diana Hirsch Cohen ’81, Lisa Hodgin Cvecko ’81, Maria Salaices Dinella ’81, Rina Faletti ’81, Sara McClure ’81 Class of 1986 by Cheryl Brinkman ’86, Shawn Richardson Poole ’86, Kathleen Robinson ’86, Teresa Schreitmueller ’86

Dalia Cuenca ’11 by Ofelia and Domingo Cuenca Katrina Gaines ’11 by Ellen and David Gaines Rashida Harmon ’11 by Elizabeth and Timothy Simpson Jenny Irizary ’11 by Arlene and George Irizary Sylvia Kakassy ’11 by Allan Kakassy Rachel Kane ’11 by Denise and Bill Kane Carolin Kunze ’11 by Beate and Hans Kunze

In honor of President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux Paul and Joan Armstrong ’51, Loretta Austin, Joanne Barboza, Sarah Barker, Elaine Bedel, Myra Borshoff Cook, Derwent Craven Bowen ’65, Angela Braly, Barbara Branic, Linda Walls Brown ’72, Kathryn Mallett Chadwick ’60, Zenia Chan Chow ’56, Jennifer Church-Hahus ’80, Lorraine Clasquin and Eric Harslem, P ’14, Karen Coates ’69, Richard and Marlene Corey, Deborah Daniels, John DeCoudreaux, Victor DeCoudreaux and Candida Andrade, Viola DeCoudreaux, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Depp, P ’96, Julie Gonsalves Eseltine ’00, Jocelyn Espena ’97, Angelique Di Schino Felgentreff ’90, J. Nelson Fleck ’81, Janice Waddle Forbes ’60, Gwendolyn Jackson Foster ’67, Mary Grace Freeman, P ’13, The Fung Family, Virginia Ong Gee ’51, Shayna Gelender ’04, Janet Giesselman, Masako Sakai Hamada ’58, David Higgs, Mabel Ann Higgs, Brenda Horn, Desiree Jones-Eaves, Vera Judge ’84, Jan Keefer, Cathy Langham, Frances Leonard ’61, Jerome Lyman, Patricia Niedt McCadden ’48, June McCormack, Elaine Cassman McGee, MEd ’52, Marni McKinney, Ann Murtlow, Tiffany Olson, Anthony Owens, Camille Parker ’77, Janice Paull, MA ’51, Barbara Johnson Penhallow ’46, Jean Pierce, Myrta Pulliam, Jenny Rienzo ’94, Ramon Rodriguez, Ruth Rodriguez-Sacco, Priscilla Sarinas and Kim L. Wong, P ’14, Myra Selby, Anne Sellers, Marley Simmons-Abril ’02, Michele Goldberger Skootsky ’80, Kathryn Kelly Smith ’47, Mary Tucker Solomon ’65, Karen Hoh Talioaga ’78, Billie Thrower, P ’14, Douglas Tillman, Alice Tsai, MBA ’11, Juanita Van Koppenhagen and Steven Moncuse, P ’14, Leah Veser, Nancy Bartoo Whittle ’58, MA ’63, Billie Bell Woolworth ’38, Tamara Zahn

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Amelia Lopez ’11 by Donell Stiers and Paul Lopez, Xochiquetzal “Xochi” Lubin-Amaya ’11 by Christy Lubin and Miguel Molina Maritess Magtanong ’11 by Teresita and Rodrigo Magtanong Jessica “Jesse” Martin ’11 by Sandra and Kenneth Martin Emily Meike ’11 by Christina and Rusty Meike Alison Mirin ’11 by Sylvia and Arthur Mirin Anna Nettleship ’11 by Lois and William Nettleship Kaila Sanford ’11 by Ellen McDaniels Sanford ’88 and Walter Sanford, MA ’93 Brenna Smith ’11 by Chris and Thomas Smith Kristen Snyder ’11 by Tammy and Robert Snyder Heather Williams ’11 by Kathryn Behrens and Hank Brow Mariam “Dolly” Wolfe ’11 by Patrice and Thomas Wolfe

winter 2012

Class of 1991 by Tricia Andres ’91, Christina Hannan ’91, Kristin Bell McGeary ’91

Bradford and Angela DeMoss, MA ’99, by Los Angeles Mills College Alumnae

Class of 1996 by Shannon Wolfe ’96

Phoenix Feinbloom ’93 by Ann Sanders

Class of 1999 by Samantha Lief ’99

Lyn Flanigan ’65 by Michelle Balovich ’03, Robert Whitlock and Margaret “Peggy” Weber ’65, P ’02

Class of 2001 by Summer Stallmann ’01, Jessee Wilson ’01 Class of 2005 by Jacquelyn McLeod ’05

Dianne Egan ’83 by Elizabeth Dooley ’83

Class of 2010 by Kelsey Lindquist ’10

Kay Fraser Gilliland ’50 by Terri Belcher ’78, Cyrilla Bolster, Barbara Donald, Carol Edwards, Hildegarde Hannum, Rita Levinson, Diane Resek

Class of 2011 by Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02

Steven Givant by Yi Zhou ’93

Christina Spencer Cuevas ’76 by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84

Bertram Gordon, P ’88, by Sara “Sally” Matthews Buchanan ’64

Beverly Curwen ’71 by Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02

James “Jim” Graham by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84

Irina Dang ’08 by Michelle Balovich ’03

Dori Grant ’10 by Diana and Dennis Grant, P ’10

Carrie Davis by Jane Rollins

John Harris by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Mtafiti Imara, MA ’90, by Facika Tafara

In honor of President Emerita Janet L. Holmgren Anonymous, Susan Weeks Adams ’73, Anna Ah, MA ’97, Frances Colby Allee ’40, Beth Frederick Allen ’59, Jennifer Allen ’04, Emily Anderson ’02, Robin Anderson ’79, MA ’91, Michelle Balovich ’03, Edward Balzer, MA ’97, Gretchen Lloyd-Brentlinge Blais ’77, Cecily Boman Blake ’45, Carolyn Chapman Booth ’63, Caroline Booth, Derwent Craven Bowen ’65, Sally Zook Burdick ’54, Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02, Carol Barkstrom Carney ’53, Janet Hall Chamberland ’59, Virginia Dobbins Chappelle ’53, Jane Bruce Cheadle ’46, Marilyn Ward Corrado ’75, Cynthia Jackson Cummings ’88, Madeleine Ebbesen Davis ’46, Nancy Marwick DeMuth ’70, Sonja Piper Dosti ’92, Andrea Byron Earle ’49, Jane Heberling Egner ’59, Gladys Aronson Fortmiller ’49, Candace France, P ’95, Robert and Chandra Friese ’83, Tanya Ojeda Fry ’51, Emily Galli, P ’09, Susan Clark Gillum ’66, Helen Wing Hackett ’39, Litheia Wong Hall ’41, Falene Fink Hamilton ’63, Lynn Appleton Hartley ’65, Tamra Cummings Hege, MA ’97, Hellman Family Foundation, Helzel Family Foundation, Betty Wiley Heyder ’60, Kathleen Hixon ’01, Mary Rosenthal Hoexter ’50, Nathalie Adams Hough ’62, Flora Kirschner Isaacson ’54, Duke and Susan Jones, P ’87, Katherine Farrow Jorrens ’57, Amrit Work Kendrick ’79, Dorothy Braaten Kennedy ’48, Diane Ketelle ’78, MA ’89, Elizabeth Church King ’50, Nancy Davis Kronemyer ’43, Carmela Landes ’82, Karen Lanza ’55, Bonnie Reuter Leaver ’58, Muriel Oppenheimer Levinson ’43, Joyce Liu ’94, Nancy Locke ’81, Adrienne Reynolds Lybarger ’47, P ’78, P ’79, Lucy Cowdin Maisel ’38, Nancy Masur ’67, Karen May ’86, Eleanor Fisk McCabe ’45, Sara McClure ’81, Sylvia Norris McDaniel ’89, Margaret Miller ’65, Gabrielle Morris, Sandra Lathrop Mueller ’61, Cynthia Ross Naton ’58, Karen Van Hoesen Olson ’62, G. Albertina Zarazua Padilla ’78, Irene Panagopoulos ’85, Marianne Peterson, Elizabeth PetersonO’Donnell ’55, Patricia Pineda ’74, Barbara Grutze Roessner ’48, Therese Rozowski ’79, Marian Cotton Schlessman ’40, Carole Roberts Schmieder ’60, Favour Hazeltine Slater ’58, Judith Smrha ’87, Ruth Sinton Steiner ’39, Elda Sulerud ’54, Alice Eto Sumida ’36, Caryl Hollender Susman ’52, Carole Clifton Tang ’65, Steven Thomas, MFA ’89, Sue Tucker ’68, Mary Spangler Turner ’57, Betty Tway ’43, May Ohmura Watanabe ’44, Robert Whitlock and Margaret “Peggy” Weber ’65, P ’02, Diane Cravagan Wilt ’89, Thomasina Woida ’80, Krystyna Wulff, MA ’93, Carol Lu Leland Zischke ’80, MBA ’05, Patti Peters Zussman ’74. Previous donors to the Janet L. Holmgren Presidential Scholarship were listed in the summer 2011 Quarterly.

Teresa Kangas-Olsen ’84 by Michelle Balovich ’03 Fred Lawson by Kristen Lee Schnepp ’91 Bonnie Reuter Leaver ’58 by Susan Stern Fineman ’68 Renee Lollman by her parents, Elizabeth and Steve Lollman Neil and Leah Hardcastle Mac Neil, MA ’51, by Anne Sherwood Copenhagen ’44, P ’74, P ’77, P ’86 Ajuan Mance by Michelle Balovich ’03 Lydia Mann ’83 by Angelique Di Schino Felgentreff ’90 Deborah Merrill-Sands by Mary Going ’12 Bette Camille “B.C.” Berliner Michaud ’64 by Palo Alto Area Mills College Club Mary-Ann Milford, P ’93, by Michelle Balovich ’03 Alma and Ronald Moreno, P ’04, by Stefanie Moreno ’04 Alexandra “Alex” Orgel Moses ’64 by Kathleen Burke Diana Birtwistle Odermatt ’60 by Mary Schratter Hale ’82 Susan Brown Penrod ’71 by Rosalie Calhoun ’71 Ben Heineman and Cristine “Cris” Russell ’71 by Margot Jones Mabie ’66 Mary Jane Ryan, MA ’91, by Michelle Balovich ’03 Laurie Sage, P ’11, by her daughter, Melody Sage ’11 Kathleen “Katie” Brown Sanborn ’83 by Barbara Harp, P ’83, Susan Crain Hansen ’78, Amy Johnson, Patti Peters Zussman ’74 J. Roussel Sargent by Elaine Bowe Johnson ’62 Katherine “Kate” Schapiro by Susan Rubenstein Schapiro ’52 Lorna DuMont Shinkle ’79 by Jayne DuMont Mack ’67 Karyn Kruttschnitt Sinunu-Towery ’69 by Melody Fujimori ’69 Lynne Rishell Spickard ’75 by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Anita Sufi, MA ’09, by Michelle Balovich ’03 Karen Cardon Swearingen ’63 by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Margaret Stern Thornton ’65 by Susan Stern Fineman ’68 Jorie Bolton Townsley ’69 by Melody Fujimori ’69 John Vollmer, P ’12, by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Margaret “Peggy” Weber ’65, P ’02, by Susan Whitlock ’02 Peri Weissglass Drake ’90 by Lisa Kosiewicz ’91 Allan Wendt by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Katherine Zelinsky Westheimer ’42 by Susan Stern Fineman ’68, Nangee Warner Morrison ’63 Muriel “Myrt” Whitcomb by Jennifer Gallison ’97

p=parent; For information about making a tribute gift, contact 510.430.2097 or donors@mills.edu. 28

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

In Memoriam To submit listings, please contact alumnae-relations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123

and Blue Skies Day Care. She served Mills College as AAMC president and as Alumna Trustee from 1966 to 1976. She is survived by her son, John Hillman von Colditz, MA ’75, and her daughter, Anilise von Colditz Hyllmon ’77, MA ’81.

Alumnae

Kathleen Jacobsen Dorr ’41, January 7, 2008, in Carmel, California. She was deeply involved with All Saints’ Episcopal Church and many community organizations. Survivors include a daughter.

Notices of death received before September 26, 2011

Vivian Rear Forin ’30, in summer 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Marion Parker Gratiot ’36, December 8, 2010, in Novato, California. A resident of the Monterey peninsula for 65 years, she was active in the Monterey County Grand Jury, the Monterey Urban Renewal Agency, the Girl Scouts of America Council, public school site and curriculum councils, and the United Way. She is survived by four children and 11 grandchildren. Janet Gaidzik Hamilton ’36, June 25, in Medford, New Jersey. A native of England and a talented pianist, she is survived by three sons and nine grandchildren. Mildred Rodgers Hauck, MA ’39, July 7, in Narragansett, Rhode Island. A member of the U.S. Navy Waves during World War II, she worked as an elementary school teacher and social worker, and was an organist for churches in New York, Florida, and Rhode Island. She is survived by three daughters. Barbara King Walton ’39, October 3, 2010, in Seattle, Washington. Survivors include her sister Penelope Smith ’58 and cousin Laurie Barton ’83. Vera “Cherie” Goecken Black ’41, May 25, in San Mateo, California. She was a championship bridge player, a serious golf enthusiast, and a traveler who made her way across the globe.

Katherine “Peggy” Mathiot Tibbals ’42, July 14, in Penn Valley, California. Lienfung Li Ho ’43, August 3, in Singapore. She wrote a bilingual newspaper column and several books, was a great supporter of the arts, and was a skillful businesswoman; a full profile ran in the spring 2011 issue of the Quarterly. She is survived by a daughter and two sons. Barbara Jones ’43, July 10, in Medford, Oregon. An advocate for comprehensive sex education, experienced gardener, and world traveler, she volunteered with Planned Parenthood, L.A. Children’s Hospital, and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. She is survived by her husband, Wally; three children; and a granddaughter. Ruth Siren Wheeler ’43, June 23, in Lexington, Massachusetts. A dancer, choreographer, and teacher, she studied with many great names of modern dance. She co-founded Boston Dance Collective, developed a comprehensive program at the Lexington School of Modern Dance, and served on several regional arts panels. She is survived by two daughters. Raffaelle Clemente Van Curen ’44, May 23, in Pasadena, California. She was involved with the Pasadena Mills alumnae group and brought several students to campus in her role as an alumnae admission representative. Survivors include a daughter.

Doris “Dorie” Hillman Blackwell ’41, May 5, in Menlo Park, California. She was a co-founder of the Lafayette Co-Operative Nursery School

Gifts in Memory of Received March 1, 2011 – August 31, 2011

Nangee Warner Morrison ’63, Diana Birtwistle Odermatt ’60, Cecily Peterson ’88, Rosita Rosenfeld, Lynne Rishell Spickard ’75 Donna Smith Buchanan ’52 by Marie Vial Hall ’53

Nancy Van Norman Baer ’66 by Alan Baer

Mary Arch Bye ’61 by Linda Rooney Markstein ’61

Timanna Bennett ’02 by Marcia Randall ’02

Terry Foskett Camacho ’61 by Ann Gordon Bigler ’61, Donna Riback ’61

Lois Mitchell Blackmarr ’40, MA ’42, P ’79, by her daughter, Gail Blackmarr ’79, Marieanne Cullen, Barbara Hunter ’57, Louise Crothers Johnson ’40, Bette Camille “B.C.” Berliner Michaud ’64, Palo Alto Area Mills College Club, Donn Schroder

Virginia “Ginny” Mowry Collins ’46 by Lucile “Lupe” Pedler Griffiths ’46, MA ’47, P ’75, Paula Merrix Sporck ’46

Doris “Dorie” Hillman Blackwell ’41 by Anne Sherwood Copenhagen ’44, P ’74, P ’77, P ’86, Leah Hardcastle Mac Neil, MA ’51, P ’75, Mildred Eberle Rothrock ’41, Margaret Schink

Ralph Conn by his wife, Rowene Mac Millan Conn ’60

Darl Bowers, P ’84, by Michelle Balovich ’03, Miriam Savage Budinger ’59, Anne Sherwood Copenhagen ’44, P ’74, P ’77, P ’86, Maurie Davidson ’63, Liisa Karne Hale ’77, Mary Schratter Hale ’82, Bonnie Killip, Gretchen Henerlau Leavitt ’71, Susan Wheeler McLaren ’62,

Willa Wolcott Condon ’32, P ’69, by Ann Condon Barbour ’69 Evelyn “Peg” Deane ’41 by Elaine Bowe Johnson ’62 Douglas Doughty, P ’11, husband of Carol Doughty ’63 and father of Dana Doughty ’11, by Judith Johnson McLaren ’63 Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ebbesen, P ’46, by Madeleine Ebbesen Davis ’46 Priscilla-Joy Everts ’40 by Jean Morgan Randall ’41

winter 2012

Jean Grossberg Weeks ’44, July 15, in Billings, Montana. President of Globe Clothing Company for 20 years, she was active in several local business associations and volunteered with Girl Scouts, St. Peter’s Hospital, AAUW, and the League of Women Voters. She also supported local arts organizations and served 50 years in PEO Chapter O. Survivors include three children and a step-granddaughter. Virginia Mowry Collins ’46, May 23, in Birmingham, Alabama. Joan Butner Glascock ’46, September 21, in Portland, Oregon. A botanist by profession, she worked at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Oregon State University, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and made a lifelong hobby of observing nature. She is survived by three children, two grandchildren, and her niece, Elizabeth Weyerhauser ’78. Betty Brosinske Erickson ’47, August 18, in Eugene, Oregon. She became a certified public accountant in 1958 and ran her own CPA business for more than 40 years, with offices in Spokane, Seattle, and San Jose. Survivors include her husband, Gordon. Florence Ann Malmquist Zeitlin ’47, June 15, 2007, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Nanette Wright Ayres ’49, July 19, in Houston, Texas. She was active in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and served as activities coordinator for the Church of Saint John the Divine for 32 years. She is survived by her husband, George; two children; and six grandchildren. Nancy Schalk ’49, September 1, in Show Low, Arizona. She completed a master’s in home economics and a doctorate in education. She is survived by three children and four grandchildren. Elizabeth Daily Bradshaw ’50, January 27, in Santa Monica, California. Born in Alaska while it was still a territory, her family moved to Oakland

during World War II. She was a legal secretary and a supporter of theater. She is survived by two children. Robert Grant, MA ’50, March 27, 2008, in San Francisco. Helen Probst Farrell ’51, February 10, in Long Beach, California. She is survived by two children and a grandchild. Katherine “Kay” Thomson Greiner ’51, July 16, in New Mexico. She founded a summer day camp for children, operated her own interior design business, and served the Amarillo Junior League for many years in her home town of Amarillo, Texas. She is survived by her husband, Herb; two sons; and four grandchildren. Sabina Sare Malatesta Hancher ’51, July 26, in San Rafael, California. A resident of Foster City for 43 years, she had a career as an executive assistant and was an active member of Island United Church. Survivors include two sons and five grandchildren. Gloria “Pat” Beckman ’55, August , in Corona del Mar, California. An occupational therapist and RN, she encouraged young people to pursue science and education through her work as founding president of the Orange County chapter of the ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scholars), a board member of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, a lifetime trustee of the California Institute of Technology, and as a member of the UCI Nursing Program Leadership Council and the UCLA School of Nursing Advisory Board. She is survived by her brother, two nephews, and many extended family members. Barbara Cheatham Gieseke ’55, June 7, in Brentwood, California. She worked as an elementary school teacher and a director of children’s ministries. She is survived by three children and 13 grandchildren.

Gifts in Memory of, continued

Rebecca “Beccy” Davidson Karlson ’69 by Cheryl Ezell Buck ’69, Gretchen Garlinghouse ’69, Douglas Karlson

Mary “Rosy” Rosenberry Ferris ’45 by Joan Groschupf Craig ’46, Jeanne Martin Davis ’45, Ellen Graue Ferris ’46, MA ’51, Shirley Schweers Goers ’45, Norma Ross Maris ’47, Raymond Zrike

Baki Kasapligil by Susan Anderson ’84

Betty Miller Flint ’47 by her daughter, Deborah Flint Allyson Fremouw by Anita Aragon Bowers ’63, P ’84 Barbara “Bobby” Coleman Frey ’68 by Julie Ehrenworth Solomon ’94 Dennis Gallegos, P ’94, father of Heather Herrera ’94, by Kathleen McCarthy ’94 William A. and Helen Baer Gaw, P ’92, by their daughter-in-law, Jane Farrell Gaw ’52 Barbara Cheatham Gieseke ’55 by Frances Mixter Lloyd ’55 Caroline Goodwin ’22 by Caroline G. Gwerder Elizabeth “Betsy” Rulison Harrington ’40 by Helen B. Smith Gladys Buell Harrold ’31, MA ’32, by Don Hawkes George and Helen Hedley by Sara “Sally” Matthews Buchanan ’64 Joan Knuth Houston ’55 by Barbara Roesmann, Colin and Elizabeth “Betty” MacMahon Wied ’55 Shirley Jaquez, P ’92, mother of Linda Jaquez-Fissori ’92, by Michelle Balovich ’03 Jean Currin Jenkins ’35 by Bethilda Olson Vieira ’59 30

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Catherine Kirkham by Sandra Kirkham Bowen ’69, MA ’71 Annette Swann Krueger ’54 by Marilyn Morris Campbell ’54, Anne Sisson Warkomski ’54 Mary Lanigar ’38 by Terry Hinkle Fairman ’68, Sue Ann Tucker ’68 Charles Larsen ’69 by Mura Kievman ’64, Elizabeth Terhune ’90 Marion Letsch ’44 by Los Angeles Mills College Alumnae Jean Mann MacDonald ’57 by Janet Armes Koupal ’57, Monterey Mills Club Ethel MacMillan by Rowene Mac Millan Conn ’60 Jennifer “Jenny” Makofsky ’91 by Lisa Bach ’90 William Malone, husband of Sandra Pitts-Malone ’74, by Ellen Goldschmidt Figueira ’75 Boitumelo “Tumi” McCallum ’08 by Shirlyn Baker, Mildred Hudson, A. Lenora Taitt Magubane, her mother, Teboho Moja, P ’08, Dolores Morris, Lillian Petty, Roberta Yancy Lucy McCoy ’81 by Estate of Mary Jean Ferris ’45, Mary Griffin-Jones Joan “Joey” Gross McCusker ’45 by Mills College Club of New York Janet McFadden by Florence Owens Dodington ’65 Beverly “Bev” Daggs McNeil ’48 by Nancy Butts Whittemore ’48

nanc y siller wil son

Faith Morrison McNeill ’56, June 26, in Texas. She helped found her local Unitarian church and worked for a time as an art instructor at a community college. She is survived by three sons and four grandchildren. Annette Movich Abrams ’59, May 25, in Ventura, California. Survivors include her daughter Roberta Abrams ’89 and her sister Felice Movich Pope ’59. Carmen Lindsay LeBlanc ’61, November 26, 2009, in Truckee, California. Susan Read Dickson ’63, July 17, in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. She is survived by her husband, Stuart, and three children. Gail Kay Jacobson ’66, June 21, in Portland, Oregon. She lived on the Aegean coast of Greece for many years, running a bed and breakfast, leading sailing tours, and collecting textiles of the region. She founded the ecology organization Aquapeace and was dedicated to living a simple life.

Spouses and Family Ruth Allen, grandmother of Sally Collins ’91, April 30, in Vallejo, California. William Barlow, husband of Doris Shaugnessy Barlow ’47, August 13, in Bethesda, Maryland. Marion Greene, grandmother of Kate Finneran ’09, April 9, in San Rafael, California Ernst Grube, husband of Eleanor Gail Sims ’64, June 12, in New York City. Lorraine Hix, grandmother of Rhonda Wellington ’82, October 7, 2007, in Berkeley, California. Benjamin Johnson IV, brother of Anne W.B. Prichard ’59, September 11, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Elaine Larson Kievman, mother of Mura Kievman ’64, September 6, in Los Angeles.

Elizabeth “Florence” McCall ’79, May 19, in Piedmont, California. She devoted her life to the sciences and arts, working as a dental hygienist and volunteering with the Chabot Science Center, Oakland Symphony, Oakland Ballet, East Bay Museum Society. She is survived by her son, sister, and granddaughter.

William Malone, husband of Sandra Pitts-Malone ’74, May 20, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Faith Morrison McNeill ’56 by Jane Heberling Egner ’59

Elizabeth Goode Rockwell ’41 by Mildred Eberle Rothrock ’41

Georgiana Melvin by Mariah Imberman deForest ’59 Gretchen Smith Merritt ’56 by Janet Bottimore Burrows ’56 Margery “Footie” Foote Meyer ’45 by Monterey Mills Club Kay Reiten Meyer ’61 by Karen Rak ’61 Madeleine Milhaud by Katherine Farrow Jorrens ’57 Isabel Schemel Mulcahy ’44 by Thomas Mulcahy Evelyn Oremland by Sheri Szeles Brasher ’78 Al Ortega, husband of Cathlyn White Beekman ’64, by Sara “Sally” Matthews Buchanan ’64 Margaret Saunders Ott ’40 by Norma Ross Maris ’47 Robbyn Panitch ’79 by Betsey Shack Goodwin ’76 Charles Perry by his sister, Avery Perry Wall ’52 Elizabeth Pope by Elaine Bowe Johnson ’62, Joanna Dailey Lloyd ’56 Linda Popofsky by Vicki Cameron ’75, Sarah Lehman ’86, Marion Osmun ’76, Jennifer Turney ’86

Paul Metzelaar, husband of Elizabeth Viergutz Metzelaar ’43, July 23, in Pacific Palisades, California. Alvino Ortega, husband of Cathlyn White Beekman Ortega ’64, July 5, in Castro Valley, California. Carol Pringle, aunt of Rebecca Murillo-Starr ’01, November 8, 2010, in Tampa, Florida. Nancy Perrin Weston, former member of the Associate Council, June 24, in San Francisco.

Nancy Bernheim Rogers ’47 by Carol Auslen, Molly Hynes, Elayne Littman, Ilene Berk Medovich ’60, Helen Drake Muirhead ’58, P ’88, P ’93, Eileen Mullen, Sybil and Fred Patten, Sally Schroeder, Lawrence Smith, Anne Nicholson Turchi ’47 Anne Sherrill by Sara “Sally” Matthews Buchanan ’64, Elizabeth Terhune ’90 Harold Simolke by Sara Barnes Carnahan ’49 Jean Baptiste Sottou by Bill and Denise Kane, P ’11 Lois Miller Trombly ’47 by Adrienne Reynolds Lybarger ’47, P ’78, P ’79 Hope Troyer ’44, MA ’45, by Marion Ross ’44 Dr. and Mrs. Yukinori Tsunematsu, P ’69, by their daughter, Kazuko Tsunematsu Tajima ’69, MA ’71 Imogene and Franklin Walker by Katherine Farrow Jorrens ’57 Barbara King Walton ’39 by her daughter, Penelope Yonge Betty Taves Whitman ’46 by Ellen Graue Ferris ’46, MA ’51, Monterey Mills Club Reynold Wik by Sara “Sally” Matthews Buchanan ’64, Katherine Farrow Jorrens ’57

Margaret Prall by Joanna Dailey Lloyd ’56

p=parent; For information about making a tribute gift, contact 510.430.2097 or donors@mills.edu. winter 2012

Sound off!

“Use Mills as your muse!”

Wetmore

we urged when we asked alumnae to submit a haiku (a poem with three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables) for this edition of Sound off! As these offerings show, the campus and its culture are clearly inspirational.

pond minnows circle— oblivious to street noise just outside the gate —Nina Egert, MA ’80

Eucalyptus Press—

Mills days, shining days

Unemployed, I am

setting type on late spring nights,

how I long for those Mills days

But, I can still give to Mills

minding “p”s and “q”s.

as I grow older

Change to make change. Yes.

—Christie B. Cochrell ’77, MA ’87

—Yoshie Akiba, MFA ’76

—Darlene Elasigue ’07, MA ’09

Mills College women

Lake Aliso Frogs

Eucalyptus lane

Una destinatio,

Harmonize With Waterfall!

Mills breathes life into my soul

many paths to choose.

(Cheapest date in town...)

The path to knowledge

—Arabella Grayson, MA ’96

Time passing calmly

—Kristen Baumgardner Caven ’88

—Betty Danielson-May ’84

Musicians gather.

Lake Aliso hush

Glass stone chapel all around

Hear the freeway from the brush.

Joyful sounds abound

Tremolo of birds

—Amrit Work Kendrick ’79

sitting at its feet, steady

—Amrit Work Kendrick ’79

old Campanil. —Christie B. Cochrell ’77, MA ’87

O Eucalyptus!

Eucalyptus trees

Your fragrant, furry buttons

Pungent through the short-cut path

torture barefoot soles.

To my seminar.

—Kristen Baumgardner Caven ’88

—Sandie Lathrop Mueller ’61

Deserted fountains—

Thirteen presidents:

Glowing stone in moonlit grass,

From Mills to A. DeCoudreaux.

Dripping with times passed.

Women’s leadership.

—Meredith Lindak ’98

—Arabella Grayson, MA ’96

Want to be part of the next “Sound off”? Sign up for the (e)ucalyptus email newsletter—just send your email address to alumnae-relations@mills.edu along with your full name, any previous name, and class year. Write “(e)ucalyptus” in the subject line of your message. We’ll also post the next “Sound off” question on Mills’ Facebook page. 32

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Nominate your choice for Alumna Trustee T h e A l u m n a e A s s o c i at i o n o f Mi l ls C o l l e g e N o m i n at i n g C o m m i t t e e is seeking an alumna/us who has demonstrated service and support to the AAMC and the College to serve as Alumna Trustee for 2012 to 2015. We invite you, the alumnae of Mills College, to submit candidate nominations before January 9, 2012. Three Alumnae Trustees sit on both the Board of Trustees of Mills College and the Board of Governors of the AAMC. These volunteers are expected to attend several meetings annually of each board and serve as a liaison between the two boards. The 2012–15 term begins July 1, 2012. For further information, contact the AAMC ofﬁce at 510.430.2110 or aamc@mills.edu. Nominations may be submitted by mail to the Nominating Committee, Remember, AAMC, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., MB #86, Oakland, CA 94613, the nomination or by email to aamc@mills.edu. Please include your nominee’s name, deadline is Monday, class year, address, telephone, and email address, as well as your own name. January 9, 2012. Up to three final nominees will be featured in the spring Quarterly. All alumnae are eligible to vote using the mail-in ballots provided in that issue.

Cruising the Black Sea: A bridge of two continents Istanbul • Romania • Bulgaria • Ukraine September 9–17, 2012 Join us for fascinating a seven-night cruise to this historically and culturally rich part of the world. Shore excursions feature the ancient town of Nessebur, a UNESCO World Heritage site; Livadia Palace, site of the famous 1945 Yalta Conference; the masterful 16th-century Khan’s Palace in Bakhchysaray; and Odessa’s stately Opera House and the Potemkin Steps. Carrying only 296 passengers in all ocean-view suites, M.V. Silver Wind offers refined luxury with exceptional dining, outstanding amenities, and numerous complimentary features, including personal butler service. This exceedingly agile small ship docks easily in less visited, more enticing ports. You may also choose to add a pre-cruise option of three additional nights in Istanbul or a four-night post-cruise option of Cappadocia and Istanbul. 8 days, $5,148 including air

See the AAMC travel website at aamc.mills.edu for dates, prices, and full itineraries as they become available. For reservations or additional information, call the Alumnae Association of Mills College at 510.430.2110 or email aamc@mills.edu.

Alumnae tr avel 2012

Mills Quarterly Mills College 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Oakland, CA 94613-1301 510.430.3312 quarterly@mills.edu www.mills.edu Address service requested Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, CA, and at additional mailing office(s)

Mills alumnae, what’s in your inbox? Get the latest news about the College ASAP. Use the Mills College Alumnae Community to share or update your email address. 1. Point your browser to http://alumnae.mills.edu. 2. Log in (or register for the alumnae community if you haven’t done so already*). 3. Click the Update My Information link at the top of the page. • Update your email or postal address under the Contact Details tab. • Change employment info or your work address under the Professional/Life Experience tab. • Select precisely the kinds of email communications you wish to receive from Mills under the Subscription Management tab. Anyone, including non-alumnae, can also update addresses and Mills mail preferences by calling 510.430.2123. Keep in touch! * To register, click on the First Time Login link at the top of the site. Enter your last and first name. Confirm your name on the following page. Enter in your alumna ID (the nine-digit code that starts with a letter printed above your name at the top of this page).

Read

(e)ucalyptus our renamed, redesigned enewsletter for Mills alumnae and friends. To receive it, just make sure we have your current email address!