We need to dig in our heels and demand
raphers, actors, artists, politicians, civil ser-
with Christian Marouby. When he real-
change, now, while there is still a pos-
vants, scientists, lawyers, doctors, authors,
ized that there were 30 of us, he said that
sibility we might save something of the
CEOs, professors, engineers, teachers,
he would teach an extra section so we
school I know we all love.
and community and global activists. We
could all get the attention we deserved.
champion the disenfranchised, and we
On my first day of classes, I learned that
are energized.
my education was important.
–Ariadne Wolf, MFA ’19 Alamo, California
–Katherine Mahood ’93 Northern California
When my eldest child was in sixth grade, she came home from school to tell me they’d researched colleges. She’d found
I initially reacted to the March 17
the perfect place—music, art, and educa-
announcement about Mills closing in the
tion: all of her passions. I asked where,
same way I would react to the news of any
nearly falling down when she said,
impending death: with profound sadness.
“Mills College!”
My sadness turned to outrage, however,
I have some eucalyptus leaves and acorns from Mills that I draw upon for strength when I need the energy of my mother Mills. It was to her I returned to contemplate whether I wanted to get married. My wedding was inspired by the Mills Boat Dance. My daughter’s first overnight trip was to Mills to accompany me to an
Rose did enroll at Mills, with a gener-
when I sat in on President Hillman’s town
ous four-year faculty scholarship, and
hall on April 6. Her performance that
despite the deep challenges of COVID
evening, as well as that of a few trustees,
and remote learning, she’s having a
produced such a mishmash of vague,
beautiful and transformative experience.
obfuscating, and often condescending
Like all of the Class of 2024 I know, she
statements about the College’s straits that
was initially horrified to learn of the
I came to realize something: That for all
As we all come to terms with the immi-
plans to turn the College into an unde-
of Mills’ problems, its greatest one may be
nent changes at Mills—whatever they
fined, non-degree granting institute, and
the utter incoherence of its leadership.
may be—may I offer a perspective I
then unsure about the news of a potential partnership with Northeastern.
At the very least, they’ve mishandled the public relations of this crisis. What
AAR training. We stayed in Olney, just like I used to. I continue to dream that she will, along with others, for generations still. –Priya Kanuga ’93 Santa Clara, California
haven’t heard voiced (in addition to the undeniable data points)?
For both of us, Mills has its huge gifts
else have they mishandled? They talk
Clearly, Mills is at a point of no return
and real challenges. We are people with
about falling enrollment. Could a delib-
financially. The college we loved won’t
disabilities, and Mills offered us the
erately underfinanced, admissions office
continue as it has. For decades, board
small classes and inclusive professors we
have something to do with that? What
members and presidents have struggled
needed, but it also failed on administra-
else have they, and recent prior admin-
with how to solve this. Current negotia-
tive and structural levels. In my day and
istrations, mishandled in terms of other
tions have been as transparent as these
now, Mills doesn’t support the very stu-
aspects of the College’s finances?
changes will allow. Kudos to them all for their Herculean efforts!
dents it claims to value: Black, Latinx,
As for the proposed merger with
Indigenous, first-generation, LGBTQIA+,
Northeastern University, I don’t believe
More importantly, the educational world
and resuming students. If we are to save
that route promises any meaningful
has changed, and young women may not
Mills, we need to save it as a place that
future for Mills or its stakeholders, cam-
feel the need for the extensive nurturing
actually supports and nurtures the stu-
pus, and legacy given who the College’s
environment Mills has provided in the
dents it attracts.
negotiators are.
past. This is a good sign! Work towards equality is not done, but enough parity has
–Larissa Brown Shapiro ‘95, P ’24 Santa Cruz, California
–Marion Osmun ’76 Irvington, New York
President Hillman and the Board of
Like many of you, I participated in a pro-
Trustees’ unilateral decisions about the
spective student overnight. I was unable
future of Mills College are outrageous
to attend the scheduled dates, so Mills
and must be reversed. This is a call to
made it possible for me to do it sooner. I
action for every Mills College alumna to
had the opportunity to hear a Holocaust
I was so pleased to read the announce-
join the students, faculty, and staff who
survivor speak, tour the art gallery, hike
ment that Mills has the opportunity to
have been using our collective intellec-
to Founders. Upon returning to my school,
become Mills College at Northeastern
tual and financial power to keep Mills
for the first time, I spoke up in a class of
University and continue to confer under-
College as it is.
more than 200 students. In a few hours at
graduate and graduate degrees. What an
Mills, I learned my voice mattered.
extraordinary way to put the question
We are parents raising children during a pandemic, musicians, dancers, choreog2
M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
Fast forward to fall 1990 and French 4
been achieved for women to compete well and significantly both at school and in the workplace. I’m glad I have lived to see it. –Brandie Brandt Gallagher ’68 Clayton, California
of Mills’ survival to rest, and for the
College to continue to provide an excep-
to teach them our legacy and how to be
veiled in legalese. “Severance” was not
tional education to its students.
allies to empowered women and gen-
the first thing on their minds, which
Given the substantial issues that have
derqueer people. I am still going to hold
was unique. If this is the way to transi-
plagued Mills over the years, I have no
our leaders accountable in these talks
tion most of our faculty to Mills College
doubt that charting a viable course has
to make sure our faculty and staff espe-
at Northeastern University, count me in.
been difficult, at best. That said, I’m quite
cially are considered, as they have been
Now, potential pitfalls. An obvious one
certain that President Hillman and her
hanging on despite all of the turmoil.
is a culture fit: Northeastern is a research
leadership team have examined all the possibilities and worked with Mills constituents and the Board of Trustees to develop a plan based on what’s best for students, faculty, and staff going forward. I know that change is hard and the decisions necessary to ensure a future for Mills are not easy to make. I have every confidence that the board and President Hillman have engaged thoughtfully in the important work of finding the best path to continue the legacy of Mills College and position it to continue its work toward women’s leadership, and social, gender and racial justice. -President Emerita Alecia A. DeCoudreaux East Falmouth, Massachusetts
–Sunshine Anderson (they/them) ’20, Morona, Wisconsin I know there are conflicting feelings about Mills possibly entering into an alliance with Northeastern University, but here’s a faculty perspective: I got to meet the Northeastern team during its visit to Mills, and this experience was much different than other collaborations we’ve explored. The team included senior leadership, such as the president and provost. Some things genuinely surprised me, including the level of excitement, curiosity, and respect they showed toward our campus and everyone they met during the visit. Simple gestures led me to believe
The day the College announced a pos-
that this partnership could actually
sible deal with Northeastern University,
work. President Aoun took an inter-
a large part of me was relieved. While I
est in everyone he saw on campus, and
am so thankful I chose Mills and met
he asked very good questions on what
the incredible people who make it what
makes Mills different, as well as the
it is, I witnessed a very quick and steep
hopes people have for this partnership.
decline in the quality of services and
He also had a genuine interest in our
academic offerings. Working in different
pain points. The visit was a delightful,
departments at Mills opened my eyes to
unintimidating experience in which the
many of the deep-rooted issues facing
team was thoroughly dedicated to iden-
us—all coming back to money. Frankly,
tifying common ground for a potential
by the end of my time at Mills (pandemic
partnership. They were not trying to
aside), I couldn’t recommend it to friends
show off how great Northeastern is or
who were looking into schools.
what it takes to gain a seat at their table;
If Northeastern University can main-
they were trying to learn what’s excellent
tain the campus, provide continued
about Mills. They wanted to know what
employment for faculty and staff, and
directions we were excited to explore.
bring the quality of student life up to an
During the pandemic, Northeastern
experience that is worth recommending
kept their staff and faculty, even if it had
again, then let’s try it! Mills was once a
to reassign job responsibilities or find
seminary that underwent a monumental
other roles within their extensive net-
transition to a college, and now it is sim-
work. The fact that the provost said that
ply time for another transition.
he hopes for a smooth way to transition
Introducing cisgender men at the
faculty to new roles [within a potential
undergraduate level is a huge adjust-
partnership with Mills] disarmed me—
ment, but we as alums have the power
I expected a more conservative answer
university, bigger, more selective, and, yes, coed. The ethos of the two institutions may appear different, but we discovered many common goals: the desire to participate in positive social change, a strong focus on student experience, and respect for what faculty and staff bring to the table. There’s a lot of respect for the experiential learning components of our curriculum and our deliberate efforts to establish connections with the Oakland community. The team also came across as genuinely wanting to help Mills stay true to its character while becoming a part of the Northeastern family. Yes, there was an elephant in the room—the issue of allgender admissions—and they acknowledged that it would be a big change. They did not try to trivialize it, but showed understanding of the need to preserve the Mills legacy in imaginative ways. The experience uplifted me. It gave me renewed hope in a smooth organizational transition that will allow current students to graduate, preserve Mills employees’ dignity, and show respect for our alumnae/i community. I realize that this transition will be a lot of work, but I am sticking around to see it through. As a favorite colleague said, “I’m enjoying thinking about what the future will look like, both short- and long-term—the difference between March 17 and June 17 is palpable.” It will be a long couple of years, and it will take all of us to make it work—but I am hopeful. I send my love to all who deeply care about the future of Mills, even if we disagree on the best way to ensure it. –Dean of the Lokey School of Business and Public Policy Kate Karniouchina Saratoga, California
SUMMER 2021
3
A Message from the President of Mills College By Elizabeth L. Hillman
E
very commencement season is
festivities were far from celebra-
cause for celebration, but 2021
tory. At that time, Mills College
brought more relief, excitement,
was teetering as we reckoned
and novelty to the 133rd Mills College
with the immediate and poten-
Commencement than most of us have
tially challenging impact of the
ever witnessed. We held our first virtual
College’s
commencement, complete with a bril-
instability on our students, fac-
liant speech by Alicia Garza, Honorary
ulty, staff, and entire commu-
Doctorate of Letters ’21, and personal
nity. I recognize the emotional
touches for the indomitable graduates
toll that this reckoning created
who earned degrees in the midst of the
for our many devoted alumnae
pandemic that took hold of the world
and for so many others across
during their final, critical terms of study.
the Mills College community.
long-term
financial
These Mills College graduates war-
To our great relief and excite-
rant special recognition for their abil-
ment, however, it also catalyzed
ity to adapt, persist, and thrive, and I’m
and created new opportunities
grateful to the many staff and faculty
for innovation and collabora-
leaders whose stamina and creativity
tion with potential institutional
enabled Mills to plan and execute events
partners.
to celebrate their extraordinary accom-
In June, I shared with our
plishments. For the first time, Mills held
community that Mills would
a “CARmencement” to allow graduates
pursue a new alliance with Northeastern
and women’s education. Our alliance
and their families to celebrate in person
University
announcement
with Northeastern will enable Mills to
with masks and distancing. Also, for the
reprinted in this issue of the Mills
support its current students through
first time, two classes of graduates—the
Quarterly. As we work through the
their degree programs, bring those stu-
Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020—
many details and essential nuances of
dents new opportunities, and reimagine
joined us together on two separate days
what we expect will be a historic alli-
graduate and undergraduate programs
with their families and friends to cheer
ance, I am thrilled to report that the
in ways that engage the deep expertise
and take photos at their favorite spots
congruence between our institutions’
and pedagogical excellence of Mills fac-
across the Mills campus.
with
an
missions and the synergies that emerged
ulty and staff. It will also allow Mills
Comparatively, the months imme-
from Mills’ very first conversations with
alumnae to become part of a global com-
diately prior to May’s Commencement
Northeastern have allowed us to make
munity of impact, to continue their role
great progress. As I described in a July
on campus and in student life, and to
message to the community, this poten-
know that Mills College will be a degree-
tial alliance will bring many benefits to
granting institution for generations still.
This issue of the Mills Quarterly continues our tradition of offering the AAMC two pages of this College publication to communicate directly with readers and alumnae. Mills College continues to provide services to the AAMC consistent with the College’s and the AAMC’s 2017 Memorandum of Collaboration and Agreement, which was entered into to keep the interests of students at the heart of our work, strengthen the alumnae-College relationship, and meet the challenges posed by rapid changes in higher education.
4
M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
Mills’ students, faculty, staff, and alum-
This summer, we also have wel-
nae, including our ability to sustain
comed another accomplished alumna
Mills’ mission by serving current and
trustee, designated by the AAMC, to
future students on campus.
the Mills College Board of Trustees: The
Together, Northeastern and Mills will
Honorable Jacki Brown of the Orange
bring Northeastern’s unmatched excel-
County Superior Court, who is included
lence in global, experiential education
in this issue’s story about alumna judges
to Mills’ unparalleled commitment to
on page 18. We look forward to working
access, women’s leadership, and gender
with Judge Brown and all of our dedi-
and racial justice. In order to do so, a re-
cated trustees, alumnae, faculty, staff,
envisioned Mills College at Northeastern
students, and community members as
University will open its doors to under-
we link the storied past of Mills with the
graduates of all genders while sustain-
promise of a new future for Mills College
ing Mills’ dedication to gender equity
at Northeastern University.
bittersweet way, I have been gifted with a poignant and mean-
Despite the strong voice gifted to me by Mills and my friend-
ingful Mills experience. I am leaving the College at a moment
ship with Lila, I wasn’t sure I had done college right as I neared
when decades of alumnae are rising up to speak about what it
my final year. I didn’t think I would walk away from Mills with
means to them.
a friend in my class, but wondered deep down if I still could.
My daily connection with these alumnae have shown me a
And then COVID happened, and suddenly Mills became scat-
perspective that may have not have come until years later—in
tered, with hardly any students on campus and classes reduced
a room full of men when I’d innately know how to stand my
to Brady Bunch-esque Zoom quilts. At first, it was draining—and
ground, or in a group of activists where I’d feel at home—when
the time in real life, with chances to get to know my classmates
I’d have my Mills experience put into focus. I get it right now.
on walks to the Tea Shop and in the library, had seemingly dis-
“Mills is the place where we learned to be,” an alumna from the
appeared. It was just the beginning of all there was to mourn.
Class of 2011 once said.
And then, thanks to distance learning, along came Erica
This group of activists has expanded my extended family
MacKinnon ’21. Twenty years after leaving the College, she had
and has showcased not only what Mills people are capable
returned to Mills to finish her degree while attending remotely
of, but that a Mills education is a lifelong commitment to our
from Detroit. Neither of us were sure how well the spirit of Mills
College and to justice. They’ve spoken aloud what was always
would translate over the ether of the online, and to this day,
true—that my voice matters, that my ideas are powerful, and
Erica has no proof that I’m more than a head and shoulders.
that I am more than capable. But they’ve also taken care of
But I remember our beginning clearly: We met in a Zoom class,
me: they’ve showered me with care packages and made sure
and our friendship burst to life like at summer camp: easy, all
I was well-fed with my favorite takeout dinners during finals.
at once, I-feel-like-I’ve-known-you-forever style. We sent direct
They’ve become the family that I can’t wait to meet in real life.
messages on Zoom like kids passing notes, and I watched her
I will never forget their relentless love and the ways it kept me
smile at my words in real time, 2,100 miles away.
afloat when the world was falling apart.
Decades Apart with Una Destinatio
Because life is best done out of order, Erica has become the college friend I’ve always needed. We made up for the lost time as private Zoom chats turned into texts, and soon we were talk-
While walking through Sage Hall during my second year, my
ing on the phone for hours as if we were in the Mills Hall living
own name caught my eye outside an office. The staff mem-
room or tucked into the library. Now, we spend hours each day
ber inside it—Lila Abdul-Rahim ’80—confirmed that her name
working alongside members of the Mills community who love
was pronounced like mine (a.k.a., correctly), and it wasn’t long
this school as much as we do, who would all like to imagine its
before we were regularly emailing and meeting in the Tea Shop
continuation long into the future.
for lunch. I had never met anyone with my name, and have only
Though I forget the years that sit between us, my friendships
come to love it even more since coming to love my friend Lila.
with Erica and countless alumnae make visible a perspective
It was clear from the beginning that she was a soulmate of
I would not have gotten until long after my time here. During
sorts, and not just because we both existed in this world with a
Reunion 2019, I hosted a dorm reception for the Class of 1969
shared name. Our conversation topics quickly descended into
as part of my job with the Office of Institutional Advancement,
the deeply existential, and still do to this day: we talk about
and I will always remember one alumna approaching me as
trees, the shakiness that accompanies mortality, and the under-
she wrote a letter to the current residents of Orchard Meadow.
standable stubbornness that occurs as we age, to name a few.
“Would it be strange to tell them that they’ll dream about this
We talk about Mills: what has changed since 1980, what has
place for the rest of their lives?” she asked.
stayed the same, and the unwavering love we share for this
Mills belongs to all of us. It’s the place where we learned to
place that brought me across the country and brought her back
be, where we found our voices, and—if we were lucky—where
after four decades. But Lila advises me in practical ways: How
we found our soulmates. Because of Mills, I now have a sec-
should I find my first job? What are the sacrifices worth mak-
ond extended family. They say the buildings at Mills are full of
ing in a shared housing situation? What color of this Madewell
ghosts, but rather than scary, I like to think they are the ghosts
jacket should I pick? She’s a mentor only because she’s seen it
of 17 decades of great love. “You all have always been with me,”
all. Otherwise, the 40 years between us mean nothing as we sit
I told another alumna and new extended family member after
across the table from one another and shop for produce at the
Commencement. Her response? “And always will be.”
Mills Farm Stand each Tuesday.
SUMMER 2021
17
From Mills to the Bench Three alumnae carry their Mills experiences into judiciary careers that have continued long after most have settled into retirement. Words by Shelley Moench-Kelly ◊ Illustrations by Michael Wertz OR AN INSTITUTION WITHOUT A TRADITIONAL LAW SCHOOL,
increased dramatically. There are fewer glass ceil-
Mills College has produced a number of distinguished alumnae
ings,” she says. “It is also wonderful that we have
who have pursued careers in the legal world. Several of them have worked long and hard enough to be appointed or elected to the judicial bench.
the bench in California.” It took a few decades, though, for women to smash all the way through the widening fissures.
Their journeys all started with a Mills education, and the far-reaching influence of that opportunity, camaraderie, and freedom of expression has colored their personal and professional lives ever since. We recently caught up with three of
Barbara Zúñiga ’67 was appointed to the bench in 1985 after working for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office—and thanks to encouragement from several judges and prosecutors who mentored her in her role as a court liaison officer
those alumnae and took a deep dive into their experiences
before she attended law school. “There were very
navigating minefields of a male-centric arena and the perspec-
few women on either the municipal or superior
tives that women bring to the bench. They’ve also witnessed the changing landscape for women judges—including a meteoric rise to the highest courts in the land. Some Cracks in the Ceiling
18
a large cross section of the population sitting on
M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
courts,” she says, adding that the lobbying efforts of organizations such as the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) and California Women Lawyers were instrumental in getting more women appointed to the bench in California. Zúñiga later served as president of the former organization,
Glass ceilings are always at the forefront of any
and she echoes Shapiro’s observation, saying
dialogue over women in the workforce. Anita Rae
there is “greater overall diversity in terms of race,
Lavine Shapiro ’61 graduated with her law degree
ethnicity, sexual identity/expression, and disabil-
from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and
ity. We are better judges because of it.”
remembers women lawyers facing a lot of dis-
Jacki Brown ’74 explains that her class at Mills
crimination in the 1960s. One of her first jobs
was one of the “big, strong feminist groups,”
in the legal field was working as a senior judicial
with many joining the National Organization for
attorney for the California Courts of Appeal in
Women (NOW). “We were definitely taking on
Los Angeles. “I remember one job interview with
the role of breaking ground and being proud of
a major law firm in Los Angeles where the inter-
it,” she says. “Our lives were open and [we were]
viewer wondered out loud why his law school
capable of basically doing everything.” She adds
didn’t send him candidates as qualified as I was,”
that since graduating from law school in 1977
she says. “But, of course, I was not offered a posi-
and beginning her practice, she has seen vast
tion working as an attorney at his law firm.”
improvements. “Women now make up half of the
Despite antiquated restrictions, Shapiro says
legal community, due to a public push for women
that in the 56 years since she passed the bar,
to be appointed to the bench, to be represented
women have advanced dramatically in the field.
in corporate environments, and to hold leadership
“The opportunities for women in the law have
roles,” she says.
However, Brown has experienced discriminatory behavior from both sexes, as the patriarchy spares no one: “A few women were like ‘queen bees’ and disparaged any woman attorney who they felt competed against them,” she says. “I was unhappy with the male behavior because they seemed to think they could act arrogant and ‘superior’ to me simply because I was female. For instance, on more than one occasion, I was told they wanted to speak with a ‘real’ attorney and not some paralegal.” Another time, she was ordered by another prosecutor to babysit three children waiting in the hallway while their father was testifying in court. “We had aides to assist witnesses, but this man enjoyed ordering me—the only female attorney in the office—to do ‘girl’ jobs for him,” she says.
The Shifting Sands of Progress The 19 years before the millennium were remarkable in many ways, including women’s appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the first to serve, with a nearly 25-year tenure; since then, four more women have been appointed. And while all of them faced challenges as trailblazers, none have been under such intense public scrutiny as Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Amy Coney Barrett. They are the most studied, and—as some claim—the most politicized women justices in history. Shapiro recalls Ginsburg—or, The Notorious R.B.G., in pop-culture parlance—as a “very bright, hardworking, good person,” she says. “She and Antonin Scalia were good friends, even though
The Hon. Anita Rae Lavine Shapiro ’61 has been an arbitrator and mediator since she retired from her position as a Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner in 1997 to be a private judge. She was a senior judicial attorney for the California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles and San Bernardino for 12 years before she was appointed to the bench.
they were on opposite sides.” Shapiro doesn’t see Ginsburg as a political symbol, but rather “a sym-
But what of Justice Ginsburg’s successor, Amy
bol of an outstanding judge, justice, and person.
Coney Barrett? Is she a political pawn, or an
She happened to be liberal, but there are also con-
accomplished professional with a bright future
servative political symbols who are outstanding
ahead? The proverbial jury is still out, mostly
judges and people.”
because of the short time Barrett has held the
Brown counters that Ginsburg “was a very effective political symbol, because her image
post (at press time, about nine months). Our judges have considered her qualifications.
was—in a very real sense—impregnable,” she
“What she has done in her short life really has
says. “Even if she had never been elevated to the
been quite impressive. She is extremely well spo-
Supreme Court, she had to work twice as hard
ken and well-focused. Her legal analysis is excel-
to get halfway closer to it, and she did it beauti-
lent,” Brown says. “But we don’t have that much
fully her whole life.” She goes on to explain that
directly from her because she’s only been a justice
Ginsburg just did her job with laser focus and
for a relatively short period of time. As is true with
without fanfare: “From my perspective, she was
anyone appointed to such an illustrious bench,
just an incredibly intelligent, profound thinker,
we will not know exactly how the different com-
and one who was incredibly fair.”
ponents of her personality will play out.” Shapiro SUMMER 2021
19
criticism of this particular woman is an attack on all women and all mothers, regardless of how Barrett’s actions stand to impact other women and other mothers,” wrote author Emma Gray. Brown says that, in her estimation, one could easily describe a male candidate as being a good husband and father, the implication being that he will be as consistent in professional life as he is in private. “As far as I can tell, that should be the only reason why a woman candidate should be described as a good mother and wife,” she concludes. Brown adds that “if the sole and honest reason for criticizing [Barrett] is that she’s a young woman, then taking that position is antifeminist. If the reason is that she is going to be unable to do the job in a neutral, non-political fashion, it’s not anti-feminist.” Shapiro adds that Barrett’s role as a mother is not a “qualifying factor” for a judicial position, and notes that it’s “good to have members of the judiciary with varying backgrounds and experiences. However, intelligence, legal and judicial experience, and lack of bias are far more important than motherhood or lack thereof.”
Yin and Yang The issue of juggling professional and personal roles is one that been a concern for our judges. Shapiro explains that when she was first appointed to the bench, her kids were 16, 13, and 9: “I don’t Judge Barbara Zúñiga ’67 retired as a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. She became the first woman of color (Zúñiga is Mexican American) to sit on the bench there when she was elected in 1994. In 1985, she was appointed to a judgeship at the Walnut Creek-Danville Municipal Court, and has been a prosecutor and a probation officer in Contra Costa County.
20
M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
concurs that Barrett is still an unknown, but she
think it had any effect on my work life because I
adds that people must have hope that those who
had been working full time for the Court of Appeal
are put on the SCOTUS are “good, honest judges.”
for the previous 12 years, so we had worked out
What has distinguished Barrett thus far from
balancing work and home.”
other women SCOTUS justices is her role as a
When Brown adopted her son in 1999, she was
mother raising school-aged children during her
working at the Court of Appeal for Presiding Justice
time on the bench—she has seven children, the
David Sills. “He was very supportive of my need to
youngest of which is eight years old. (The other
be with my infant and then toddler son, and pro-
mothers on the Supreme Court, Sandra Day
vided me with flexible hours to do so,” she says.
O’Connor and Ginsburg, had children ranging
However, her son was eight years old when she
in ages from 19 to 38 when appointed.) During
was appointed to the bench. “That position had no
Barrett’s confirmation hearings, some of her sup-
flexibility and I had to pay to have plenty of pri-
porters (and Barrett herself) used that as a rea-
vate help once I started that job,” she says. “But I
son she was qualified for the bench; NBC News
can honestly say I have no regrets as to my choice
reporter Sahil Kapur quoted Senator Chuck
of careers and would recommend it to any young
Grassley (R-Iowa) as saying, “As a mother of seven,
woman who has very thick skin and plenty of
Judge Barrett clearly understands the importance
energy to expend.”
of health care.” One of the many articles published
Brown has presided over a wide variety of cases,
around Barrett’s confirmation was a Huffington
from juvenile delinquency and estates to felony
Post piece that critiqued the supposition that her
criminal cases. While she notes there have been
motherhood put her above reproach: “It has been
instances where she has been pigeonholed by
repeatedly implied by Barrett’s supporters that
other judges, she also asserts that it’s been great
“The role of women judges is not to feminize the courts, but to humanize them.” –Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland
to work with other women. “We do seem more at ease with embracing and tolerating differences, though we can make the same mistakes as men would in the same environment,” she says. “I’ve found that women work with one another better because we’re either not so defensive, or we embrace a concept of work that by its very nature involves toleration and concern for others.” Brown adds that women judges tend to present a more serious demeanor in public, but are more open to interacting with a greater variety of people. “I’m very proud to say that because it enhances the bench,” she says. Shapiro concurs. “I was volunteering for a day in a San Bernardino juvenile court before I became a commissioner. All the professionals in one of the proceedings were women, and it was a great feeling,” she says. Zúñiga—who in her career has presided over civil cases including sexual harassment and medical malpractice, as well as criminal cases such as murder—recalls a comment from Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, at an NAWJ conference more than 30 years ago. It has resonated with her ever since: “The role of women judges is not to feminize the courts, but to humanize them.”
The Evergreen Influence of Mills College Our judges have all excelled in their professional careers, and continue to reap the benefits of their training and experience to this day. They unanimously agree that the College was the foundation
would probably not be able to have a curriculum
upon which their careers were built.
tailored to your needs.”
Zúñiga recalls her time at Mills with great fond-
Brown asserts that Mills instilled in her that
ness because of the depth of her education and the
you can’t just memorize facts and regurgitate
confidence she gained. “Mills [was] an environ-
them. “You had to be able to hone your skills of
ment where you knew you would be heard. It also
communication to either present [to] or persuade
exposed me to women from different countries
other people. And if you couldn’t do that—because
and cultures. Mills was called ‘Vassar of the West’
it requires critical thinking as well as analysis
and gave me a wonderful education,” she says.
and then communication—the professors hadn’t
Shapiro counts herself as lucky for receiving
done their jobs,” she says. “We all view Mills as
a liberal arts education that gave her the foun-
our true home because it made us the people we
dation to accomplish her goals. “I was able to do
are today. It made me want to be a lawyer. It made
things that I probably wouldn’t have been able
me confident that I could be one. There’s no way I
to do if I’d gone to a large university,” she says. “I
would have ever even applied to go to law school,
could double major and graduate in three years
much less graduate from it, but for Mills.”
Judge Jacki Brown ’74 is a judge for the Superior Court of Orange County, California, a position that former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her to in 2008. She has worked in private practice and as a district attorney for both the Marin County and San Mateo County District Attorney’s offices.
without any problems. In a large university, you SUMMER 2021
21
AAMC NEWS & NOTES A Message from the AAMC President Last year at this time, we were still new to navigating the world-
Please join me in congratulating our newly elected alumna
wide pandemic that has resulted in so many losses, both per-
trustee, Judge Jacki Brown ’74, who will serve on the AAMC
sonal and collective. This spring, the unexpected announcement
Board of Governors and the College’s Board of Trustees begin-
by the College that it will most likely confer its final degrees
ning July 1. On the same day, two new governors will join the
in 2023 has deepened the sense of loss for many alumnae. Yet
AAMC Board: Linda Goodrich ’82, professor emerita of dance at
alumnae are coming together in our common love of Mills to
Sacramento State University, and climate activist Alice Hewitt
sustain it for succeeding generations. Visit aamc-mills.org to
’15. We welcome Debra Connick ’85 and Cherlene Sprague
learn how alumnae are using legal and other means to press
Wright ’92 for second terms on the AAMC board as we bid
for transparency and shared governance in decisions about the
goodbye to governors completing terms: Kristen Oliver ’17, MPP
College’s future.
’18; Miki Hong, PMC ’95; and alumna trustee Tara Singh ’05,
Amidst these challenging times, AAMC members helped cel-
MBA ‘07. I am very grateful for their vital service on our board.
ebrate the resilient Class of 2021. Because
They will be missed at board meetings,
of continuing restrictions on campus
but are committed to remaining actively
access, only a few alumnae could be on
engaged in AAMC committees.
hand to cheer graduates during the drive-
The future is uncertain for Mills
through CARmencement celebration on
College, but I have hope that we can sur-
May 15. While we could not host our Pearl
vive. Adversity does not have to be the
M Dinner for seniors, AAMC governors
end for a company or a college. In 1997,
and members of our Alumnae Student
when Apple was faced with bankruptcy,
Relations Committee recorded a con-
Steve Jobs returned to lead the firm he
gratulatory video message for the class.
co-founded. He partnered with a rival,
We were also able to distribute snack
Microsoft, which invested $150 million in
bags to students on campus during finals
Apple. This partnership revived the com-
week, as we usually do, and alumnae col-
pany and led to remarkable new inven-
laborated with the Associated Students of
tions: first the iPod, then the iPhone. Two
Mills College to send care packages to stu-
key lessons can be applied to our current
dents at their homes around the country.
situation at Mills: Learn to accept help
The Alumnae of Color Committee
when you need it, regardless of where it
(AOCC) hosted a virtual Phenomenal
comes from, and look beyond the ways
Women of Color event in April. The com-
you have been doing things to change
mittee presented the Phenomenal Woman
and grow. Alumnae have come forward
of Color award to Yvonne Daniel, MA ’75;
to pledge funds and have offered to help
Seniors of Color awards to Tsion McYates
the College address deficits, enrollment,
and Dylyn Turner-Keener; and the inau-
and retention in new and innovative ways.
gural “Roots and Wings” award to Abigail
The College needs to make changes and
Major-Murphy. The event also memori-
be open to new programs to equip stu-
alized Peggy Woodruff ’58 and Sharon
dents for success. We hope Mills trustees
Robinson ’14, MPP ’15, and paid tribute to
will have the vision and passion to see a
former Associate Provost Maggie Hunter,
path forward working with the alumnae
who left Mills in February, and Provost
community.
Chinyere Oparah, who will leave this
I wish you a restful summer and, wherever you are, be well and stay connected
summer.
to the AAMC. Above: Viji Nakka-Cammauf Below: Yvette Stingily-Williams ’85 and Estrellita Hudson Redus ’65 present Yvonne Daniel, MA ’75, with the Phenomenal Woman of Color award.
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M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
Gratefully, Viji Nakka-Cammauf, MA ’82 AAMC President
In Memoriam Notices of deaths received before April 9 To submit listings, please contact alumnae-relations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123 Maty Smith ’39, December 6, 2019, in Folsom, California. She is survived by two daughters. Shirley Nyman Papé ’44, March 2021, in Portland, Oregon. While her late husband was serving in World War II, Shirley earned her theater degree at the University of Washington, later starring in a local children’s show and interviewing luminaries for a local TV station. In retirement, she established a family foundation. She is survived by three children, 14 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Lillian Yung Ching ’45, September 13, 2015, in Honolulu. She served as the head librarian at Punahou School for nearly 10 years. She is survived by four children, including Jennifer Ching ’79. Isabelle Hagopian Arabian ’45, October 8, 2020, in Palo Alto, California. She served on the Board of Governors of the Alumnae Association of Mills College, and was a long-time agent and secretary for the Class of 1945. She is survived by three sons. Beth Larson O’Donohoe ’46, December 14, 2020, in New Hampton, Iowa. During World War II, Beth headed student efforts to prep supplies to go overseas. While raising her family in the Midwest, she taught her two sons to love the theater and volunteered extensively for healthcare and education organizations. She is survived by her sons; three granddaughters, including Jennifer O’Donohoe, PMC ’02; and six great-grandchildren. Paula Merrix Sporck ’46, March 30, in Los Gatos, California. After Mills, she earned an MA at Radcliffe in Boston, where she met her late
Diana O’Hehir A longtime professor at Mills and the former Aurelia Reinhardt Chair in American Literature, Diana O’Hehir died in San Francisco on January 19. Though O’Hehir attended UC Berkeley, she did not graduate, instead leaving to work as a labor organizer and activist in Washington, DC. There, she met her first (and third!) husband, Mel Fiske. After their first split, she returned to California and married Irish scholar Brendan O’Hehir. She began teaching at Mills in 1961, despite not holding an undergraduate degree, and eventually finished her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins in 1970. Thus began her career as a writer. Her first collection of poetry won the Nevins Award in 1975, and her first novel, I Wish This War Were Over, was nominated for a Pulitzer in 1984. In all, she wrote at least nine poetry collections and five novels. At Mills, her creative writing seminars and courses on Paris during the 1920s were wildly popular. One of her sons, Andrew O’Hehir, spent time in her classroom as a teenager. “For a young man on the verge of adulthood, that offered immensely valuable lessons in the importance of women’s equality and the values of feminism, which added a richness and understanding to my life I might never have gained otherwise,” he said. She is survived by two sons and three grandchildren.
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M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
husband, Christian. The family settled in Santa Clara in 1971, and after retirement, Paula and Christian loved to travel. She was also a dedicated Mills volunteer for many years, serving as class secretary and class agent for more than two decades. She is survived by three sons and four grandchildren. Elizabeth “Liz” Hickinbotham Rea ’47, February 21, in Stockton, California. Friends of Dave Brubeck, MA ’51, Liz and late husband David were founding donors of the Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific. The couple also loved to fly on their own Cessna, and Liz enjoyed golfing and creating gourmet meals for her family. She is survived by two sons; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and cousin Bonnie Wilkinson Brown ’68. Edith Jones O’Donnell ’48, November 14, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. After Mills, Edith graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she met husband Peter. The two formed a foundation early in their marriage, and their giving helped transform the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas into a top-tier research hospital. She is survived by Peter and three daughters. Elisabeth Carr McCarthy ’49, in Oakland. Elisabeth was a French major at Mills. She is survived by cousins Peggy Kiely Harris ’64 and Kathryn Kiely Felix ’71. Marie Friedman Oberholtz, TCRED ’50, January 3, in Sherwood, Washington. Marie obtained her teaching credential at Mills and taught for 18 years before retiring to Hawaii. She endured much heartbreak— outliving two husbands, and losing her only child to cancer at 49—but she cherished the time she had with the “three great loves” of her life. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren. Marcia “Marcie” Moorehead Fast ’50, January 31, in Orcutt, California. As a leap-year baby, Marcie was 23-3/4 years old at the time of her death. She attended Mills with her late twin sister, Martha Moorehead Harding ’50, where they both studied music. Marcie continued singing throughout her life in traveling and church choirs, and she worked as a classroom aide in special education. She is survived by six children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Ann Burling Scott ’51, March 15, 2020, in San Francisco. Ann met her late husband, Lloyd, on a blind date while she was at Mills and he was studying at Cal. The couple dedicated themselves to the teaching profession. She is survived by three children and three grandchildren. Rosalyn “Roz” Chen Koo ’51, January 30, in San Mateo, California. Roz worked as the CFO of an architectural firm, but her true passion was service. She helped establish the San Mateo chapter of Self Help for the Elderly and co-founded the 1990 Institute, which is dedicated to fair treatment of Asian Americans and strong ties between the US and China. She is survived by two daughters and one grandchild. Constance “Jean” Leeman Dowling ’51, November 5, 2020, in Eastsound, Washington. Jean was a mainstay employee at Camp Nor’wester on Lopez Island for years. She settled on nearby Orcas Island in 1983, enjoying her garden and entertaining her family with summers spent fishing and sailing. She is survived by her companion, Tommy; three children; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Susan “Sue” Tromp Whalen ’51, MA ’53, February 24, in Petaluma, California. She obtained a master’s in chemistry before attending medical school at McGill University in Montreal. She is survived by her husband, William; four children; granddaughter Mary Whalen ’05; and grand-niece Calli Storrs ’19.