Mills Quarterly, Fall 2022

A

P R E S I D E N T

D E P A R T S



G H O S T

S T O R I E S



P R I N T I N G

P R E S S E S

Mills Quarterly Fall 2022

Help preserve the Mills legacy of lifting marginalized voices.

As a new generation of students traverse Mills College at Northeastern University, you can help ensure that key elements of Mills’ historical impact not only remain—but thrive.

Your gift to the endowed Mills Legacy Scholarship Fund will support campus-based women and gender nonbinary students— in keeping with the traditional Mills admission policy—well into the institution’s future as part of Northeastern. Join other donors committed to helping maintain and reinforce the campus’s identity as a place where marginalized voices are lifted up through higher education.

Preserve the vision.

Advance the mission.

Give to the Mills Legacy Scholarship Fund.

Please make a gift to the Mills Legacy Scholarship Fund by calling 510.430.2366, visiting alumnae.mills.edu/give, or mailing a check payable to the Mills College Annual Fund, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

12

14

32

Mills Quarterly

CONTENTS

Fall 2022 12 The Gregarious Ghosts of Mills by Allison Rost A roundup of some of the many spooky stories that have haunted the Mills campus for generations.

14 Fit to Print by Arya Samuelson, MFA ’19 What did these Mills alums do when they couldn’t find voices like theirs coming out of traditional printing presses? They started their own.

18 A Heavy Pour The wine industry is not known for its diversity. Two Black alums who write about and create the spirit discuss the paths they’ve taken.

32 The Right Kind of Teacher by Jane Downs, MA ’96 A former student of Diana O’Hehir contemplates her impact.

Departments 2 President’s Message 8 Mills Matters 22 AAMC News 24 Class Notes 28 In Memoriam

On the cover: Amber McCrary, MFA ’20, is a Diné (Navajo) poet and zinester who started her own publishing press, Abalone Mountain Press, to lift up Indigenous authors. Read more about her and two other publishing-maven alums starting on page 14. Photo by Deidra Peaches.

A Message from the President of Mills College

By Elizabeth L. Hillman

T

hose of us with the good fortune

year with Mills art history students, who

to be associated with durable, mis-

shared an experience that had to be post-

sion-driven organizations know

poned and reconfigured more than once

that people come and go while strong

because of the COVID-19 pandemic. One

institutions endure. We now know that

of the College’s cherished traditions,

Mills College is one of the institutions

the candlelighting ceremony that takes

President Elizabeth L. Hillman

that will endure. Its people—students,

place each year during new student ori-

faculty, staff, and alums—are now essen-

entation, nods to Mills’ global aspirations

Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Nikole Hilgeman Adams

tial parts of Northeastern University’s

by asking students to pause and consider

dazzling global network. As I prepare to

what they want not only for themselves

leave the College (and our beautiful East

and their classmates, but for the world.

Managing Editor Allison Rost

Oakland campus) after six eventful years,

It’s no accident that global impact

Design and Art Direction Nancy Siller Wilson

I want to share several powerful threads

is an explicit goal of Northeastern

that connect the Mills College of the past

University. Northeastern’s global, expe-

with its future in Northeastern’s global

riential learning emphasis has made it a

network.

destination of choice for students from

Volume CXII, Number 1 (USPS 349-900) Fall 2022

Editorial Assistant Tri-an Cao ’21, MFA ’22 Contributors Jane Downs, MA ’96 Lila Goehring ’21 Arya Samuelson, MFA ’19 The Mills Quarterly (USPS 349-900) is published quarterly by Mills College at Northeastern University, 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, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

Copyright © 2022, Mills College at Northeastern University Address correspondence to Mills Quarterly, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

Email: quarterly@mills.edu Phone: 510.430.3312

Share your thoughts Submit your letter to the editor via email to quarterly@mills.edu, online at quarterly.mills.edu, or by mail at: Mills Quarterly 5000 MacArthur Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94613 The Quarterly reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

2

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

The first thread is our ability to make

all over the world. This fall, the new

an impact on the world. In the past,

Northeastern students who joined us on

Mills students and graduates have made

campus at Mills participated in the same

tremendous contributions to their com-

candlelighting ceremony that new stu-

munities, whether serving in elected

dents at Mills have long been a part of,

office like Congresswoman Barbara Lee

and their wishes were again written on

’73, or creating new social justice orga-

paper cards and tied to branches across

nizations like entrepreneur and founder

campus. The wishes on those cards

of MotherCoders, Tina Lee ’01, MBA

reveal aspirations and ideals that very

’02. Mills has cultivated both critical

much align with those of Mills students

thought

in the past.

and

community-mindedness

in its students, and many students have

The second thread that connects Mills’

won prestigious international scholar-

past to its future is sustainability. The

ships, including two recent graduates,

merger into Northeastern University has

Truman Scholar Cassandra James ’22 and

given Mills College an academic and

Schwarzman Scholar Jessica Greely ’21.

economic foundation that will sustain

Mills alumnae like Lateefah Simon ’17—

the campus as a site of education and

president of the Akonadi Foundation,

inspiration for generations still. While

MacArthur Foundation genius award

the generosity of our alumnae and other

winner, civil rights advocate, and BART

supporters—and the creativity of our fac-

director—have made themselves global

ulty and staff—enabled Mills to continue

citizens of impact from right here in

to serve students in exceptional ways

the San Francisco Bay Area. Mills’ fac-

throughout our long-standing financial

ulty and creative artists have influenced

challenges, we could no longer afford to

and brought change across the world

neglect the need to invest in our faculty,

by performing, studying, and connect-

staff, and physical plant. Now, both new

ing students to scholars and artists else-

and old elements of the Mills College cam-

where. A recent example is Professor

pus are receiving the care and use they

Meryl Bailey’s trip to Venice earlier this

deserve. Two relatively new features of the

On August 4, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City announced that President Elizabeth L. Hillman would take the position of president and CEO at that institution, starting in October. Northeastern President Joseph Aoun and Hillman herself informed the Mills community of the impending change in separate emails to all faculty, staff, students, and alums that same morning.

Stepping into the day-to-day leadership role for Mills College at Northeastern in the 2022–23 academic year is Mary Ludden, who is Northeastern’s senior vice president for global network and strategic initiatives. She also served as the lead project manager on Northeastern’s side for the Mills merger. Ludden is is splitting her time between Boston and the Mills campus as of late September. The bulk of the existing administrative team at Mills will remain in place during this year of transition, with further determinations about future leadership on the Mills campus to take place as new programs develop. –Ed.

campus, the farm and the recently reno-

focus on the future and commitment

which will promote women’s leadership

vated Lisser Hall, are both buzzing with

to sustainability will make possible at

and advance gender and racial justice.

activity this fall, with more planned for

Mills. In the past, the Mills campus has

The Institute will be located in Mills Hall,

the academic year ahead. If you remember

been a refuge for students, faculty, staff,

and it will preserve and advance the his-

studying in the F.W. Olin Library, you’d

alums, visitors, and East Oakland neigh-

toric legacy of Mills College.

be amazed by how beautiful it looks, as

bors seeking space to learn and grow.

Mills’ academic programs have long

does the rest of the campus—both inside

In the future, we can also be essential

sought to create empathy and expand

and out—after the surge of renovation and

in community-based efforts to build cli-

understanding as well as broaden and

improvement that took place once the

mate resilience and find new ways to live

deepen students’ mastery of fields of

merger became final on June 30.

and work sustainably.

knowledge and human endeavor. Before

Environmental sustainability is now a

The final thread that draws Mills past

into

its

future

the pandemic hit, I led a group of students,

potential focus not only of new academic

College’s

with

trustees, staff, and friends of Mills on a

programs—perhaps involving food jus-

Northeastern University is justice. As

transformative experiential learning trip

tice, regenerative agriculture, and sus-

civil rights leader Bryan Stevenson has

to Alabama. We centered our visit on the

tainable entrepreneurship—that could be

said, the opposite of poverty is not wealth,

Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum

offered at Mills College at Northeastern

but justice. Mills College’s commitment

and National Memorial for Peace and

University, it is also now a possibility for

to equity and access, its focus on creat-

Justice, which were built in Montgomery

the energy infrastructure of the cam-

ing opportunities for those often consid-

because of Stevenson’s vision and dedica-

pus itself. Carbon neutrality, and carbon

ered unworthy of investment by others,

tion. We also visited the Southern Poverty

capture, are goals that Northeastern’s

is at the center of the new Mills Institute,

Law Center and other historic sites in Montgomery and Selma, as well as the

S TE V E BABUL JAK

Edmund Pettus Bridge and the National Voting Rights Museum. That trip challenged both me and our students, and sparked my own interest in museums and memorials. It also underscored the tremendous power of experiential learning, which gives students first-hand access to people, ideas, and spaces that accelerate learning and growth.

It’s been a great privilege to serve Mills College these past years, and I can already see the unlimited potential of elevating Mills’ focus on justice, equity, and access across Northeastern’s global network. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for a campus and college where I have encountered more passion—and more opportunity—than anywhere else in this world.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

3

Student life adjusts post-merger The Mills campus welcomed approximately 300 returning

or the full year. But it’s also providing a chance to experiment

Mills students in addition to 500 first-year Northeastern stu-

and build up a variety of student offerings before four-year

dents for the fall semester. The question of how to create a

Mills College at Northeastern students enroll next fall.

welcoming environment for all of those students is one that

Paramount to that as well is ensuring that returning Mills

has occupied the collective minds of Mills’ Division of Student

students feel welcome amongst the new arrivals. “That’s been

Life and Northeastern’s Student Affairs Office since well into

core to the work that we’re doing. We believe that exciting

last spring.

opportunities are available to all students,” Kim-Wong says.

One of those minds belongs to Chong Kim-Wong, Northeastern’s dean of students, who decamped to Oakland for several weeks in August and September. She oversaw a packed orientation schedule for new and returning students, with everything from hired movers to food trucks for a celebratory atmosphere. “The movers, the fanfare—it was all very intentional,” she says.

Engaging in grassroots problem-solving

Kim-Wong has also been front and center on bolstering

A newer element of Northeastern’s research offerings is a series

and reworking extracurricular activities on the Mills campus.

of “impact engines” and “accelerators,” which are cross-divisional

Many things are staying the same: At a community fair on

projects dedicated to solving a broad range of specific societal

September 1, familiar student organizations recruited for new

problems—and one of them will call the Mills campus home.

members on the Meadow. Groups such as The Campanil news-

Professor of Business Practice Carrie Maultsby-Lute, MBA ’11,

paper are continuing, though any club that may have lost its

who also serves as the director of the Center for Transformative

membership when Mills students graduated or departed can

Action (CTA) at Mills, is co-lead of an impact accelerator that

be restarted by any interested student—something that often

aims to use community-engaged research to identify solutions

happens on Northeastern’s Boston campus thanks to co-ops.

to issues that negatively impact Bay Area residents. “City to

But other activities needed to evolve due to one big com-

City: Finding Equitable Solutions to Local Policy Problems”

plicating factor presented by the National Collegiate Athletic

will do a deep dive by collecting data from the people who are

Association (NCAA): Northeastern’s Division I status means

experiencing and affected by issues such as income inequality,

that Mills has lost its former Division III standing, but at

gentrification, and homelessness, which is similar to the exist-

the same time, NCAA sports that are already available on

ing mission of the CTA to bring together disparate groups to

the Boston campus can’t be duplicated in Oakland. This has

problem-solve in a collaborative fashion.

prompted student life staff to take on two big projects: First,

“Due to the history of gentrification, many Oaklanders

taking a look at varsity sports that aren’t offered in Boston and

are wary of new institutions—which makes Mills College at

could find a home at Mills.

Northeastern’s touchpoints with the larger community cru-

“We’re investigating very actively what we can do there,”

cial,” says Maultsby-Lute, whose co-lead is Alicia Modestino,

says Madeleine Estabrook, Northeastern’s senior vice chancel-

the research director at the Dukakis Center for Urban &

lor for student affairs, who spoke to the Quarterly from Boston.

Regional Policy on Northeastern’s Boston campus. “I believe

The second project? Building a robust fitness and athletics

Mills College at Northeastern has an opportunity to build

experience into recreation offerings, starting with expanded

community and trust with Oakland residents and show the

spaces and equipment for exercise, and potentially going so far

larger world how community-engaged research can support

as to bring the Boston campus’ success with club and intramu-

conscious development that strengthens the overall region.”

ral teams to the West Coast. “We have more than 3,000 stu-

As an accelerator rather than an engine, “City to City” will

dents participating in club sports. They’ve won national and

also provide support to more specific projects happening as

international championships,” Estabrook says. “Oakland will

part of the program. Impact engines across the Northeastern

have even more possibilities because of the amount of green

network include “Experiential Associate to Master’s,” which

space, the size of the pool, and the facilities already on the

will assist resumers in finishing their college educations

Mills campus.”

through student support and success coaches; and “Intelligent

Off-campus excursions will also be made available to stu-

Solutions to Urban Pollution for Equity and Resilience,” which

dents free of charge, starting with trips to the California

will bring low-cost censors to densely populated areas to pro-

Academy of Sciences and SFMOMA during orientation and

vide data about pollutants on a micro level.

continuing with opportunities to explore the larger Bay Area and Northern California.

It’s an odd academic year in many ways, namely the infusion of first-years who will likely move campuses after one semester 4

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Summer work rejuvenates campus This summer, the Mills campus received a much-needed refresh, including a power washing of sidewalks and buildings to bring back their shine. Other changes and updates include:  The reopening and upgrade of Founders Commons, which shuttered during the pandemic. There’s a new entrance on the side of the building closer to Mills Hall, as well as new flooring, signage, and paint.  New flooring and equipment at the Tea Shop, plus the reopening of Café Suzie (directly across Rothwell Plaza, in the Student Union building) for grab-and-go food items.  A new campus store space next to Café Suzie, operated by Barnes & Noble, which carries campus swag and school supplies.  The opening of a new “tech bar” in the Prieto Gallery space between the Tea Shop and F.W. Olin Library.  New classroom furniture across campus and technology upgrades to 17 specific classrooms in several buildings, including Mills Hall.  The installation of new Mills College at Northeastern University banners on campus light poles, and an updated sign at Richards Gate.  In the residence halls, the addition of proctor stations at the entrances to enhance security as well as new furniture for student rooms.

Still to come (at press time) were the installation of 150 package lockers in Rothwell Plaza to augment services at the Mail & Copy Center, plus new wayfinding signage across campus

PHOTOS BY RUBY WALL AU

that incorporates Mills history.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

5

Report from

AUGUST ALUM FORUM O

n August 11, the Office of Alumnae Relations cohosted an online alumnae forum alongside the Alum Engagement Committee (AEC), a new group working

with the Office of Alumnae Relations that formed last fall to support the relationship between Mills alums and the College as it embarked upon the merger with Northeastern. Questions were solicited through the (e)ucalyptus email newsletter and through personal conversations between AEC members and fellow alums. Before her departure, President Elizabeth L. Hillman

The Office of Alumnae Relations and the Alum Engagement Committee are teaming up for another online alum forum in November. Email invitations will come out soon; check in with alumnae-relations@mills.edu after November 1 if you haven’t received one.

appeared alongside other Mills officials to answer the most frequently asked queries live on Zoom.

Lightly edited answers to some of those questions are below;

And if any changes need to be made or if the designations

for others, including whether the Mills archives will remain

don’t quite fit, we’ll work with those donors directly to make

open to researchers and whether new students learned about

adjustments or talk about what we might be able to do with

Mills history during orientation (yes to both), visit tinyurl.com/

those funds, because we definitely want to honor the wishes

mills-alum-forum.

and intentions behind those funds.

Will future students specifically apply to Mills College at Northeastern University, with the intent of spending four years on campus?

Interim Dean Beth Kochly: Yes, that is the plan. When we launch our new programs, they will be designed so that a student can come to Mills and complete the program, spending all their time on this campus. We do also, however, want to build

There’s a huge commitment from Northeastern, too, to have those funds support the Mills campus. They won’t be supporting programs in Boston or on any of the other satellite campuses. There is plenty of need on the Mills campus for those funds, and we’re excited to make those matches.

How do you envision a successful relationship with the AAMC?

in the flexibility in case our students do want to take advan-

Adams: A successful relationship really is about partnership

tage of the globalness of the university, to spend a semester in

and collaboration, as well as trying to build on what we’ve

London or a year in Boston. We would like to have all options

always had. I’ve been meeting at least twice a month with lead-

available to our students.

ership from the AAMC: the current president, Debby Dittman;

How will the College honor donor intent with various endowment funds?

past president Viji Nakka-Cammauf; and their interim executive director, Pam Herman. We’re trying to figure out how we can continue to work together, how we can partner on sup-

Associate Vice President for Advancement Nikole Adams: Funds

port for students, how we can include alums in activities on

will of course continue to be used for the purposes for which

the Mills campus, and how we can partner on events for alums

they were established. They’ll support the students, faculty, and

in general. Actually, just this week, Debby and I started talking

programs on the Mills campus. As you know, new programs are

about a possible speaker series!

being developed, so as we know more about what will be held

We haven’t been collaborating as much thanks to the pan-

under the Mills Institute and at Mills at Northeastern, we will

demic and all the transitions, but I think we’re getting back

conduct a really close review of our endowed funds and assess:

to a really good place. Most recently, we’ve been focusing on

How do they fit those needs? Do they continue to support those

the database project and working through access to campus

same programs?

resources, as our systems are starting to switch to Northeastern

6

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

systems. For example, we need make sure that the AAMC can continue to access systems within the office, such as the network and printers. Those are some of the not-so-exciting things we’ve been working on, but they’re essential.

What is the status of the AAMC’s access to the database?

Can the AAMC continue to use Reinhardt Alumnae house longer than one year? If not, why?

Adams: I’ll start with the second question: I really hope so!

We’re talking about that in our monthly meetings, and we’re trying to help AAMC leadership build a relationship with folks at Northeastern. We’re making some good progress.

For the database, most of you—if not all of you—should have received an email asking you to give us permission to give your information to the AAMC. We did this because we respect your privacy, and we want to make sure that we aren’t just giving over all the information that you have given us without permission—technically, the AAMC is a separate nonprofit organization. Thank you so much to those of you who filled out that form! A very high percentage, about 99% of the people who filled it out, did grant us permission to hand over their contact information. The project is now with our advancement services team, and they are reviewing all the data and making sure that

Who owns the Mills logo? Since Mills is no longer an independent college, are alums free to claim the logo and place it on merchandise on their own?

President Elizabeth L. Hillman: This is about intellectual property, which is just as real as real property. Northeastern has succeeded Mills as the owner of the campus, and has certainly succeeded Mills as the owner of our marks and our logos.

Should any alums want to use the logo, they can ask, and I encourage them to do so! You can go through Nikole at alumnae-relations@mills.edu, and we’ll work with the central folks about how different marks can be used.

An article in The Wall Street Journal mentioned that many majors, such as women’s and ethnic studies, dance, and art history will disappear. President Hillman said that the courses will return after they’re accredited. Which is correct?

Kochly: We currently don’t have any existing programs, but we do have our faculty, our foundations, and all of the knowledge that we used to create those programs. As we design our new programs moving forward, we’re going to incorporate all of those pieces, and the ideas of social, gender, and racial justice.

it’s all accurate before handing it over. If you weren’t able to fill

Hillman: All of Mills’ past programs have now sunsetted, and

out that form, you can go to the AAMC’s new website at aamc-

we’re offering our students degree pathways through existing

mills.org and sign up there.

Northeastern programs until we have a chance to build the

Multiple people were curious whether their contact information will be shared with Northeastern. If we give permission for this information to be shared with the AAMC, do we also need to give permission for it to be shared with Northeastern?

programs we’ll offer on the Mills campus. Some of them will be existing Northeastern programs, but with the kind of context and direction that Beth [Kochly] just described. Among those programs will be graduate and undergraduate programs that will certainly be very similar to what Mills has offered in the past. We just need time to do that.

Adams: Eventually, we will be merging our databases together

Northeastern is also working on some really innovative ped-

as we integrate all of our systems and services. We are now part

agogical designs that they’re going to test out here on our cam-

of Northeastern, so that information will be part of the same

pus. If you think our music programs have been experimental,

database, but you will not be automatically signed up for any

wait until you see what we’re going to do for undergraduate

newsletters from Northeastern. You won’t be getting solicita-

education! It’ll be customized, modular, and global, and it will

tions from Northeastern. You will continue to hear from our

include all these programs that have been asked about: art, his-

office on the Mills campus, the Office of Alumnae Relations.

tory, dance, ethnic studies. Those may not be the same degree-

From time to time, we might share an event with you that we’re

granting programs, but those strands will play into what we

co-sponsoring with Northeastern, but you won’t be automati-

build into Mills College at Northeastern, and we hope to push

cally signed up for any of those communications. My team con-

them out across the global network. I think we will change

tinues to work here and is carefully keeping our records as safe

Northeastern too, and not just here on the Mills campus.

and protected as possible.

We know that you’re not alums of Northeastern, and you might not care about what’s happening over there. But if you’re interested, I would encourage you to sign up for those email newsletters. They’re really informative and a great way to get to know the university. But we won’t automatically sign you up

+

To watch this Q&A in full, visit tinyurl.com/mills-alum-forum.

for anything.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

7

Mills Matters A campus steward retires

100 most beautiful streets in the world.*

Nearly every building project that’s

that was one of my favorite little walks

taken place on the Mills campus since

before the trees came out. Even now,

1992 bears the fingerprints of Karen

though, it’s beautiful with the deck.

Fiene. Known colloquially as the campus

And I love walking up to Pine Top and

architect (her most recent title was direc-

down to the farm, because of course I

tor of facilities, compliance, and sustain-

love the farm. Building-wise, I do love

ability), Fiene first started working on

the Julia Morgans, and special places

Mills campus projects when employed

like the Bender Room and the Student

by the architectural firm EHDD, initially

Union because of their designs and

coming on board to assist with renova-

big spaces. I’m also captivated by the

tions at Warren Olney in 1992. While

Chapel, and I’ve always loved how it has

operating her own firm from 1999 to

a spiritual feel—and you don’t have to

2005, she worked on the refurbishment

be religious or anything—and the way it

interesting because of all the surprises

of the Vera Long Building for the Social

sits in the land with the labyrinth. The

we found—like the time capsule. That

Sciences and the design for NSB. At that

Music Building is phenomenal, and the

was really cool. This is like saying which

point, it made sense to bring Fiene into

Concert Hall: Those were fun projects to

child you like best, it’s very hard!

the fold as a Mills staffer, so she started

work on. The theater with the frescos… I

You can’t do better than that. I also

TERESA TA M

really love the creek by Lisser, and

Oh, I forgot Lisser! Lisser was really

Then there’s NSB, which was a new

working on a project-by-project basis in

just always find that to be a really magi-

construction, and that was great too. I

January 2006, then became a full-time

cal building. Those are my favorites—

really enjoyed working with [architects]

employee in 2009.

and Mills Hall too, of course.

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and the differ-

Since then, she has blended specific

Quarterly: What campus project

site work with larger, overarching

did you participate in was the most

initiatives that affected the full cam-

memorable?

pus, including broadening sustain-

Fiene: It’s really hard to say, because

ent firms with very high design standards. Vera Long was also a fun project.

Quarterly: As someone who’s been an observer of the campus for so many

ability programs and bringing the

they were all so unique. Both NSB and

years, where would you like to see the

Mills Community Farm to fruition.

the Music Building were EHDD, and

Mills campus go next? What’s your wild-

“Basically, anything that had to do with

they were both J.R. Griffin (construction

est dream?

interiors, furniture selection, fabrics,

company), and that was a unique expe-

lighting—anything that had a design

rience because they’re great firms that

but fixing up the buildings! We have so

element, that was me,” Fiene says. After

care so much about the history. Because

much deferred maintenance. For instance,

delaying her retirement to help with

I love historic buildings so much, the

I’d really like to give the museum its due.

the Northeastern merger, she finally

Music Building restoration was very

It’s an important public building. The

called it quits on September 2—but you

special for me, partly because it had lit-

older halls need more attention, though

can expect to see her on campus in any

tle moments like rejuvenating the fres-

we’re starting to look at that. I’d like to

number of capacities, from consulting to

cos. We found a couple who trained in

see the Julia Morgan buildings preserved

working on her own landscape painting.

Prague, and they got up on scaffolding

as much as they can be; Carnegie and the

She sat down with the Quarterly to chat

over the holidays—completely unheated

Student Union could use some love. I’d

about the campus she knows so well.

since the building was under construc-

love to see the older structures repur-

tion—and for three weeks they were

posed and reused so their legacy and

up there with tiny little toothbrushes,

history are appreciated.

Mills Quarterly: What’s your favorite spot on campus?

Fiene: Well, it sounds totally unsexy,

There was a big project at the lake

Fiene: There’s buildings and there’s

cleaning up all the frescos. And then,

spots—and experiences too. The most

we climbed up in the attic and found

that we’ve always wanted to do: a bypass

impressive is coming down Richards

all the chandeliers—there were all these

channel that would slow the water and

Road, and that’s known as one of the

things we were able to preserve.

keep it from undermining the bridges

*according to the 1993 book Great Streets by Allan B. Jacobs 8

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

over the creeks. We are actually getting a new spillway, and I’d love to see a

Bent Twigs, Redux

promenade around the lake like we’ve

In our summer 2022 story on Bent Twigs, we published photos of Bent Twigs

seen in pictures with the lanterns.

from the 2007 Commencement that appeared in that summer’s Quarterly

Those were some really interesting

without captions. Thanks to those readers who reached out with information

rituals, so the lake could be a really

so we can right that wrong from 15 years ago! We can now identify most of the

special celebratory space.

pictured alums; if you can help with any of the remaining IDs, email us at

And I would also like to see some

quarterly@mills.edu.

meaningful connection to the history

Top row, left to right: Jamila Williams ’07 with sister Aisha-Lorraine Williams ’96; family friend Gloria Goyena, MA ’00, with Gema Ornelas ’07 and Ornelas’ mother Patty Oregal ’86.

of this land, the unceded land of the Ohlone, and how Mills could really honor that. There’s an amazing educational opportunity as well as meaningful land sharing. This is such a special, sacred place, and it’s been this enclave.

Second row: Nhu Thuy Tran ’04 with sister Thom Tran ’07; Elizabeth Douglass Paine ’47 with great-niece Katie Rogers, MFA ’07; Jana Rogers Pastena ’07 with mother Sari Herzig Millard ’88.

That could be a way we’d be more open to community. How do we make this more welcoming? How do we make people feel like they belong here?

There’s also the issue of sustainability and getting the campus to net zero, so what would that mean for bring-

Third row: Elizabeth Clayton Wester ’07 and mother Karen Clayton, MFA ’94; two still unknown alums; Melissa Johnson Michael ’71 with daughter Lisa Aurora Calderon ’07.

ing existing buildings up to energy standards? What does that mean for new construction? I’d like to see us get a ground-mounted solar system and change all the lighting to LEDs. These are things we’ve wanted to do but were

Fourth row: Kathryn Peck McCarthy ’07 with mother Victoria Fawns, MFA ’75; two still unknown alums.

unable to due to lack of funds.

Quarterly: What do you plan to do in retirement?

Fiene: I have no lack of projects. I’m a watercolor/plein air painter. I’ve already been working half-time, so I’m painting a couple days a week, but I really want to enter shows and do workshops.

So that’s a big thing. And my mom is 86 and I’m her caregiver, so I’m spending more time with her. In fact, in September we’re jumping on a plane and going to Wales to see her brother!

A lot of my friends are also retiring, so we’re planning to go to the Galapagos, Santa Fe—I have something happening almost every month. And then there’s sleeping, reading, gardening… it’s always felt like I was running, and I probably will still be running, but at least I won’t

We also apologize to the family of Stacie Hudson ’99 for flubbing a few names in her family of Bent Twigs.

The correct captions are below the photo.

Stacie Hudson ’99 (center) with aunt Estrellita Hudson Redus ’65, MFA ’75; sister Lelalois Hudson Beard ’94; sister Samzie Hudson ’97; and aunt Camellia Hudson Franklin ’73

also be working 40 hours a week!

FA L L 2 0 2 2

9

Calendar Mills College Art Museum The museum is open 11:00 am–4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday and until 7:30 pm Wednesday. Admission is free. Visit mcam.mills.edu for more information.

Shifting Terrains ■ Through December 11 More than 200 works from the museum’s collection will be on display for Shifting Terrains, an examination of artistic representations of the West Coast that span more than 130 years. The pieces depict the awe-inspiring natural world yet also look through the lens of climate change and environmental justice. Artists include Anne Colvin, Ralph Du Casse, and Susan Magnus, MFA ’92.

Below: Sybil Anikeyev, Lettuce Fields, Salinas, ca. 1940, gelatin silver print Below, right: Ralph Du Casse, Untitled (green, orange, purple), 20th century, acrylic on paper

Artist Lectures All events are free.

October 20 ■ Judith Belzer and Kathryn Spence Belzer’s paintings explore human engagement with the natural world, often looking to human-made landscapes to consider this dynamic and sometimes uncomfortable relationship. Spence’s objects and installations are inspired by nature but composed from the discarded materials of the human world—exploring the disconnection between nature and human culture and, in particular, the realities of an overwhelmingly consumption-driven society. 6:00 pm, Danforth Lecture Hall at Jane B. Aron Art Center.

November 16 ■ Bessma Khalaf Iraq-born and Oakland-based artist Bessma Khalaf employs processes of degradation (burning, smashing, shattering, melting, defacing, eating, regurgitating) to her work in photography, video, sculpture, and performance to explore the boundaries of landscape, place, and image.

7:30 pm, Mills College Art Museum.

Support rolls in for Mills programs and students Mills College gratefully acknowledges the following members of the community for their gifts, grants, and pledges of $50,000 or more, received between January 1 and June 30.

• The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, which donated to a Lead by Learning grant to provide superlative professional-development opportunities to mid-career teachers.

• The estate of Claire Kirman Taber ’27 for a gift to the Claire Kirman Taber Endowed Scholarship, which was originally established in 1993 to provide student financial support.

• The estate of Wendyce “Wendy” Hull Brody ’68 for a gift to the Johnson/Tupper/Hull Scholarship, which was first endowed in 2001 by Brody and her husband to honor her family of Bent Twigs. The scholarship provides student financial support.

• The estate of Jocelyn Sykes Cushman ’54 for its unrestricted bequest, which will help Mills respond to urgent financial demands and meet student needs.

10

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Campus kudos A selection of recent achievements by faculty, staff, and students Professor of Spanish & Spanish

Professor of

American Studies Carlota Caulfield

Business Kate

participated in World Poetry Day on

Karniouchina co-

March 22. Her book of visual poems,

authored a study with

GHROMYT, was published as part of

Professor of Economics

the collection C’est Mon Dada this

Lorien Rice, Professor

summer, and her essay “Modalidades

of Economics Siobhan

poético-surrealistas en la poesía visual

Reilly, Associate

de J.M. Calleja” is included in this

Professor of Business

fall’s publication of Poesía caminante

Carol Theokary, and

Cuando las palabras toman cuerpo.

Professor Steve Carson

Assistant Adjunct Professor

from the University of

From left: Carlota Caulfield, Kristina L. Faul

of Communication Keli Dailey

Utah called “Women

participated in a St. Nell’s Humor

and Minority Film

Writing Residency in Williamsport,

Directors in Hollywood: Performance

Crimes, and the Gothic conference

Pennsylvania, this past May. The

Implications of Product Development

this past June at Falmouth University

residency is open to marginalized

and Distribution Biases,” which

in the UK, and she presented her paper

genders working in humor-related

appeared in the July issue of the

“Why Things Burn, Girls on Fire” at the

fields.

Journal of Marketing Research.

International Crime Fiction conference in Germany.

Professor of Geochemistry and

The art of Professor of Ethnic

Environmental Geology Kristina L.

Studies and English Ajuan Mance

Faul worked with University of

appeared at San Francisco’s Cartoon Art

Jenn Smith and a group of worldwide

Delaware’s Katharina Billups on a

Museum as part of its Emerging Artist

colleagues contributed to a theme issue

National Science Foundation-funded

Showcase from April 30 to August 7.

of the online journal Philosophical

project, “Collaborative Research:

Mance also appeared in a Juneteenth

Transactions of the Royal Society B. Their

Importance of the subtropical gyre and

story for Apple about the Black history

article, “Sex Bias intergroup conflict

North Atlantic Current in interglacial

she illuminates in her digital art.

and collective movements among social

warmth,” through summer 2022. Her

Professor of French & Francophone

Associate Professor of Biology

mammals: male warriors and female

students Sofia Almeida ’23 and Lily

Studies and Women’s, Gender, &

guides,” was one of multiple pieces

Jung ’23 participated as well.

Sexuality Studies Brinda Mehta

on the theme of Intergroup Conflict

Professor Emerita of Dance Molissa

participated in an Andrew W. Mellon

across Taxa: Origins, Dynamics and

Fenley presented and performed in two

Workshop titled “Im/Mobilities: New

Consequences. She also appeared on an

works for the Sundays on Broadway

Directions in the Humanities,” orga-

episode of The Animal Behavior Podcast

series at the New York City loft of artist

nized by the American Academy in

in May to discuss remote sensing social

Cathy Weis on May 15.

Berlin from June 13 to 17. She presented

networks in California ground squirrels.

Luther B. Marchant Professor of

her current research, “Refugeetude

Assistant Adjunct Professor of

Music Nalini Ghuman presented her

Aesthetics: Gender Negotiations and

Sociology and Research Justice at the

paper “Indian Music, Empire, and British

Cultural Production in Lebanon’s Burj

Intersections Fellowship Program

Musical Modernism” at the 12th Biennial

al-Barajneh and Jordan’s Al-Zaatari

Co-Director Jane Yamashiro was

International Conference on Music

Refugee Camps.” She also authored the

interviewed and quoted in the French

Since 1900 this past June at the Royal

article “Contesting Militarized Violence:

magazine Tempura: un Magazine sur le

Birmingham Conservatoire. Her newest

Indigenous Women Poets from

Japon, in an article about the effects of

essay, “Shiva open his eye of wrath:

Northeast India,” which was published

personal and interpersonal development

East-West Juxtapositions in Kaikhosru

in Meridians: feminism, race, trans-

in Japanese society. Her current project

Sorabji’s Opus Archimagicum,”

nationalism in 2021.

looks at the related topic of Okinawan

accompanied the recent world premiere of Sorabji’s Piano Sonata no.5.

Professor of English Kirsten Saxton delivered a keynote at the Crones,

diasporic identity construction in the United States.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

11

The Gregarious Ghosts of Mills

By Allison Rost

O



Illustrations by Jennyann Carthern

ver the years that have passed since Mills Seminary moved to Oakland, the halls and classrooms across campus have seen tens of thousands of students come through. Some of them might still be sticking around, decades and even centuries after they arrived.

Tales of supernatural encounters have naturally been passed down from generation to generation at Mills, early enough that Mills Weekly began reporting on them in 1933! Ghost tours have become one of the most popular events at every Reunion, so we tagged along on one at Reunion 2021 and reviewed footage from others to compile the list below—though this certainly doesn’t cover all of the folklore out there. Our thanks to Sunshine Anderson ’20, Danica Marielle Ola ’21, and other students and alums for sharing their knowledge, and for their respectful approaches in telling these tales.

Content warning: The subject matter in the following stories might be upsetting. Please proceed with caution.

Ethel Moore & Mary Morse Halls

Starting on the south side of campus, the twin residence halls atop Prospect Hill have racked up more than their fair share of ghost stories. Inside Ethel Moore, residents have reported seeing two sisters sitting on the couch downstairs worrying over their studies, and there have been sounds of piano playing when no one’s sitting at the keyboard.

A tale that’s told in both halls is one of rooms that have been cordoned off after students living in them experienced troubles with their mental health.

The two rooms apparently once housed residents who took their own lives—one over a breakup, and another who wanted to pursue a career in Hollywood but her parents disapproved. Reports are that the energy in the rooms just never righted itself.

And the service road behind Mary Morse was once the site of an accident involving a horse and buggy. Multiple Millsies have spotted a woman in period dress coming out of the forest at night in the vicinity, or on the residence hall’s stairs. Other have reported seeing the actual accident play itself out again.

Mills Hall/The Oval

The oldest building on campus is a natural hotspot for activity from the great beyond. These days, staff members working in its halls late into the evening might hear thumps and the sounds of furniture being moved around, and new employees staying in the apartments on the fourth floor have heard knocks on the door only to find no one there. Rumor has it that, many years ago, a student living in Mills Hall when it still served as campus housing jumped to her death from the fourth floor after her parents had promised her in marriage against her wishes. Some say you can still see her initials carved by her diamond ring into a windowpane up there.

12

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Susan Mills, one of the earliest denizens of Mills Hall, was a dog lover, and she reportedly buried the succession of her small pooches under the Oval. These days, when dogs come to campus and frolic on the Oval, they’ve been known to behave as though they’re playing with their peers even if they’re the only canines present—leading to speculation that Susan’s dogs are hanging around in spirit.

In the nearby vicinity, toward Aliso Creek and the bridge that now connects the Oval to Lucie Stern, students have heard a young voice crying out for help. Lore has it that it’s the voice of the child of a professor who was carried away by rushing creek water one spring decades and decades ago.

Lisser Hall

Many a drama student has heard footsteps in the 121-yearold building. The source of those footsteps is under dispute: Some say they belong to Susan Mills, whose funeral was held in Lisser Hall in 1912. Louis Lisser himself is alleged to be the other possibility—apparently he was displeased when Susan opted to take Mills down the liberal arts path rather than the arts conservatory option he preferred.

Warren Olney & Orchard Meadow Halls

The range of oddities at the joined residence halls by the President’s Meadow is impressive: Students have felt cold spots while walking the hallways. The light in the secondfloor bathroom of Warren Olney turns on by itself, and candles have been known to light themselves in Orchard Meadow. The figure of a woman is occasionally spotted on the stairs at Orchard Meadow, and rumor has it she’s waiting for a date who never came.

Residents have heard the voice of a little girl saying their name while in the laundry room at Warren Olney, then seen her follow them into the elevator—some say it’s the presence of one of Olney’s three daughters, who died young of pneumonia. She supposedly stays close to the dorm due to her love for her father.

The first floor of Warren Olney also plays host to several rooms that, back in the day, served as “date rooms” where students could entertain their gentleman callers. In modern times, residents use those rooms to study, and they have noticed the doors opening and closing of their own free will. And in the library in Orchard Meadow, legend has it that if you fall asleep while doing your homework, you will wake up to find that a friendly Mills spirit has completed the assignment for you. 

FA L L 2 0 2 2

13

Fit to Print

To for ge the ir indus try, nu own paths i n an e m have s xclusi tarted erous Mills ve a t l heir o public u m s w ations . Here n presses an are th ree of d

By Ar them. ya Sam ue l s o n , MF A ’19

14

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Mills has always been a refuge for artists bucking the conventional path. The stellar undergraduate arts courses, acclaimed experimental MFA degrees, and unique Book Art master’s program welcomed thousands of students over the years into a lineage of radical art making. Amber McCrary, Virginia Mudd, and Mira Mason-Reader are all alumnae who have continued this legacy beyond Mills—not only as artists, but as creators of publishing presses that counter the trends of a notoriously elitist, racist, and male-dominated industry.

In contrast, these alumnae are publishing marginalized voices and perspectives, taking stands on issues that matter, and challenging capitalist models of success to celebrate the joy and pleasure of creative expression.

“I

thought the artists were the cool kids,” says

book arts. Witnessing the entire process of bookmaking—from

Amber McCrary, MFA ’20, on growing up in

writing and editing to design—planted the seeds that would

Flagstaff, Arizona, as a Diné (Navajo) woman.

ultimately lead McCrary on her publishing journey.

After graduating from college, McCrary’s passion for punk

After graduating from Mills and teaching workshops at the

rock and rebelliousness toward corporate culture inspired her

Emerging Diné Writers Institute in New Mexico, she began to

to start creating zines. Featuring poetry and collaged art, her

wonder what it would be like to start a press just for Native

zines were gorgeously handmade, evocative explorations of themes that mattered to her,

DEIDR A PE ACHES

writers. “I had never met other Navajo writers,” she says, “and I was shocked by how

such as the muse of the desert and sensuality

many great Native writers and mentors of all

of the Arizona landscape, buried Native his-

ages there were.” In January 2021, with the

tories, the uprising of Indigenous feminisms,

encouragement of her writing mentors, she

and her own musings as a “daydreaming,

launched Abalone Mountain Press, “a place for

awkward Native girl.” Sharing these zines

Indigenous writers to dismantle the canon.”

initiated McCrary into a larger community of

Abalone Mountain Press is an indigiqueer,

young Native writers and gave her the cour-

trans,

age to seek out the Mills MFA program to fur-

Indigenous feminist-friendly press. The mean-

ther hone her craft as a poet.

ing behind the name comes from the Diné for

nonbinary,

Black

Indigenous,

and

At Mills, McCrary says she was excited to

the so-called San Francisco peaks in Flagstaff,

join a welcoming cohort of writers where

Arizona, where Abalone Shell Mountain is

everyone had their own voices. Whereas

considered one of the four sacred mountains

many MFA programs can be notoriously com-

for Diné people. As editor-in-chief, McCrary

petitive, McCrary says she felt supported and

says that she refuses to choose work that

inspired by her Mills professors, particularly

elevates the white gaze, perpetuates cringey

Truong Tran and Stephanie Young, and she

Native stereotypes, or focuses only on the

loved the collaborative nature of the program. “I want my Mills

negatives of Native life. “I’m excited to think about Indigenous

cohort to win all the awards. I want them to thrive as much as

love, Indigenous joy, and the Native urban experience,” she

possible,” McCrary proudly declares. In her final semester, her

says. “Most of all, I want to publish as many different kinds

appreciation of zines inspired her to enroll in a bookmaking

of things as possible by Native voices.” Abalone’s first publica-

class on protest and resistance with Professor Emerita of Book

tion was Portals of Indigenous Futurism: A Zine Anthology of

Art Kathleen Walkup, where she learned about the beauty of

Indigenous Futurism. The press has since published Navajo coloring books, collaborative zines, an anthology on Indigenous

 Works from alum-powered presses. Clockwise, from far left: A print of the poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann from Desert Rose Press; the most recent issue of Apricity Press; Hummingbird Heart, a zine by Kinsale Drake and Alice Mao from Abalone Mountain Press.

love and sex, and a full-length poetry collection about tricksters by a two-Spirit Lakota author.

Though Abalone Mountain Press is still in its early days, McCrary has gotten a glowing reception in the local community

FA L L 2 0 2 2

15

and broader publishing world. She was chosen as

this kind of risk: “What was the

one of the Great 48 in PHOENIX magazine in 2021

worst thing that could happen?

and awarded the Rising Star Award by Arizona

What could be wrong with try-

Humanities in 2022. Meanwhile, her first chapbook,

ing?”

Electric Deserts!, was published by Tolsum Press in

Now in its seventh year,

2020, and she is anticipating a fellowship with the

Apricity Press is a home to art,

Native Arts and Culture Foundation in 2023 to con-

literature, and dance from all

duct research for a prose project while working to

over the world. The inclusion

finish her first book of poetry. Not to fear: McCrary

of dance is particularly unique

is still making zines. “The book industry is all about

among literary journals. When

polish, but zines aren’t perfect,” she muses, “and

asked why it felt important,

that’s why I love them.”

Mason-Reader says: “Dance is so fleeting. If it’s not recorded, it’s just gone. I wanted it to be

A

s a young artist, Mira Mason-Reader

able to keep on living through

’15 wondered whether college was the

the page.” Apricity is cost-free and international, and it seeks

right path for her. But the day she vis-

ited Mills, she quickly fell in love with the nature of the arts

to be accessible to anyone in the world at any time. Though

program: “Mills was all about forming you as a cohesive, opin-

Apricity uses an open submission process, Mason-Reader has

ionated person, while giving you space to be weird and bizarre.

been delighted to feature writers from her cohort—and she

I was like, ‘Yes, that’s what I want,’” she says.

shared that all six editors for the press have ties to Mills. No

As an undergraduate, Mason-Reader gravitated towards cre-

matter the genre, Mason-Reader says that she looks for art that

ative writing and dance, and she says she loved most of all how

“feels sure of itself, whether it’s literal or abstract. Everything

professors and students encouraged each other to take risks.

we publish has its own presence.” Apricity is part of the EBSCO

“We learned that just because writing has been done this way

Humanities Collection, nominates writers for the Pushcart

doesn’t mean it has to be. Everything I learned at Mills came

Prize, and hopes to move towards becoming a paying market

from that mindset,” she says. While at Mills, Mason-Reader

in the coming years.

volunteered with The Walrus and honed her craft for edito-

Currently, Mason-Reader lives in Eugene, Oregon, where she

rial work and aesthetics by publishing a chapbook as her final

pursues her editorial work for Apricity as a labor of love along-

thesis project. She was especially influenced by a poetry class

side her full-time job at an environmental nonprofit. “So much

with Steven Ratcliffe, who shared how he had started a printed

of art is viewed as a commodity, but Mills approached art as a

chapbook press with his classmates decades before. “It planted

way of being,” Mason-Reader reflects. “That’s what I want for

a seed, and I began to think, ‘Hey, maybe I could do that,’”

Apricity, for it be a place of experiencing art together. I hope

she adds. The idea returned the summer after Mason-Reader

that Apricity can continue to create that space that Mills did

graduated. She realized how much

she

missed

among fellow creatives and asked herself: “How can I keep this going?”

Mason-Reader began to

16

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

for me—art for art’s sake.”

being

B

y the time Virginia Mudd ’87 enrolled at Mills, she had already lived a full life. She had worked for a congressional office, run a restaurant in the earli-

scheme out the creation of

est days of farm-to-table, biked 3,000 miles across the country,

a new online journal called

and published a memoir about the ride. It was this last experi-

Apricity Press, taking its title

ence that inspired her to choose the Book Art program at Mills.

from an antiquated word

“Learning about publishing as a writer made me realize that

meaning “the warmth of the

I could set the type, bind the book, refine the contents, and

sun in winter.” She says she

design the whole process. It was quite a revelation,” she says.

felt excited to blend every-

Mudd began as a student at age 47, where she was part of

thing she learned from col-

a five-person cohort. She became captivated by the craft and

lege, and that Mills gave

handwork that went into the process, especially the intimate

her the permission to take

engagement with the material. She left with the determination

to start her own press: “I knew exactly what I was looking for at Mills, and it delivered,” Mudd says.

Though the press was eventually sold to Mudd’s niece, all of the original materials—including Mudd’s two memoirs—are

While a student, she was instructed by Walkup to read a

available online. At 73 years of age, Mudd continues to practice

Xeroxed copy of a book titled Printing Poetry by Clifford Burke.

the communication arts from her home in New Mexico, pub-

After graduating and apprenticing with Wesley Tanner, one

lishing an active newsletter about the earth and activism. “Find

of the premier letterpress printers, Mudd remembered that

out what brings you joy,” she implores. “Whatever it might be

book from class and set out to find a hard copy. After much

for you, how are you communicating it to people so they can

searching, Mudd managed to contact the author, who lived

share and be inspired?”

in Washington state and happened to be selling several of his typecases. They made plans to meet up for the sale, and after a whirlwind couple of days in San Francisco, they fell in love.

“I had planned to go off into the desert and be like Georgia O’Keefe, a solitary artist with a rifle in my lap, but then Clifford interrupted all of my plans,” she jokes lovingly.

T

he modern-day publishing industry is known for its gatekeeping around race, gender, class, and normative narratives. Between 1950 and 2018,

95% of books published with top publishers were written by

Mudd launched Desert Rose Press in 1989. Her first project

white authors, and in 2020, only 10% of The New York Times

was Earth Day cards, coinciding with the 20th anniversary

best-seller list was written by people of color. According to

of the holiday. Burke joined her in 1990 when they published

VIDA, which analyzes the number of women published by the

limited editions of artist books, greeting cards, and broadsides

most prestigious literary and journalistic publications, only

using traditional letterpress and contemporary printing tech-

three major outlets published a majority of women. Beyond the

niques. “Our press sought to be in service to the greater good

numbers, publications are regularly selected to appeal to the

and the movement to keep the earth sacred, safe, and healthy,”

tastes of an imagined white, middle-class audience.

she says. Among their publications were cards and images fea-

In such a landscape, pushing publishing forward looks like

turing poetry from Rainier Maria Rilke, the Prajna Paramita

many things: uplifting marginalized voices, choosing stories

Heart Sutra, the Indigenous Chief Seattle, and Saint Francis, all of

that challenge normative narratives, blending disciplines,

which were handpainted, letterpressed, and ultimately digitized.

treating (and paying!) artists with dignity and equity, and cre-

All of Mudd and Burke’s editorial decisions were motivated by

ating gathering spaces for art to be experienced and celebrated

the communication arts, which Mudd defines as “the impulse to

collectively. Sometimes, pushing on publishing can also mean

communicate what you love.”

returning to its roots: to the tactile pleasure and thrill of creating with your own hands.

“ I’ve often wondered if I should follow a more conventional path, but I just couldn’t do it. Figure out what you love, and find a way to do it in service to the world.” –Virginia Mudd

No matter the approach, it takes courage to create something new. To alums seeking to tread new ground, McCrary suggests starting with a small and scalable project: “Zines helped me work my way up.” Reflecting on the whole of her varied and abundant life, Mudd

emphasizes the importance of following her heart: “I’ve often wondered if I should follow a more conventional path, but I just couldn’t do it. Figure out what you love, and find a way to do it in service to the world.” Mason-Reader’s guidance for other creatives is to remember that there’s no need to follow what we expect women or artists to be: “That doesn’t mean anything. The world is how we make it.” 

FA L L 2 0 2 2

17

A

Heavy POUR

Two Black alums who work with wine open up about the pitfalls of working in such an elitist industry.

In late June, the Quarterly invited Melody Fuller ’82 and Aaliyah Nitoto ’99 to sit down for a conversation about their roles as Black women in wine—Fuller, as a longtime wine journalist, and Nitoto, as a more recent vintner. What ensued was a raw, candid conversation about racism in a very white world, including the Napa Valley and Mills, which is presented here in condensed form.

18

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Mills Quarterly: How did you get started in the industry? How were you first attracted to working with wine?

Melody Fuller: I wasn’t necessarily attracted to the wine industry. Wine and Champagne were a part of our household; my mom would open a new store and we’d always celebrate with Champagne.

My parents were social people, so wine was not stigmatized. I started going up to Sonoma County when I was here at Mills, because I wanted to get away on the weekends. I enjoyed wine and met some winemakers in Sonoma, and my love for the industry took off from there.

The larger jump [into the industry] came during my graduate studies. I would visit wineries and often be the only one who looked like me in those spaces. Sonoma County was fine, the rest of the world was fine, but the Napa Valley was a whole different situation. So, at the time (in the late 1980s), I decided: I’m going to conquer Napa and all its uglies.

Over the decades, I did some conquering, but many remain.

Aaliyah Nitoto: I was a weird child. I saw adults drinking wine, and that interested me because of course I wasn’t allowed to drink. I was like, “Well, I want to par-

Melody Fuller ’82 founded the Oakland Wine Festival seven years ago, which has grown in size and international acclaim. In addition, she created The Exceptional Vine, a mentoring program for aspiring young winemakers. She is a renowned wine writer who travels the world for research and to build relationships with vintners.

Fuller also serves as the food and wine editor of Alameda County Renew Magazine, and she’s appeared on television and in articles to talk about her life as an oenophile. Fuller, a twice invited attendee to the Wine Writers’ Symposium in Napa, was named director of fellowships and admissions for The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley. She holds a master’s in public administration from USC and a master’s in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.

ticipate, but I can’t have any—I’ll make some!” I used grapes, tabasco sauce, and water, and nobody would drink it, so that didn’t go over very well. What

wine industry: I met Michael Dashe of

other end with a sense of who you are

made it so popular and forbidden? It was

Dashe Cellars, and he’d heard of people

intact, after all that heat of forging you,

just something that fascinated me—but

who make wine from non-traditional

what’s left is a little diamond.

drinking alcohol when I was younger

ingredients. He gave me his contact infor-

never drew me as much as the idea of

mation, and that’s how things solidified.

Over the years, I’d developed my formulations, and I brought them to winer-

Fuller: Did you have any wine experi-

ies. When I asked for help in making my

At Mills, the Career Center had intern-

ence at Mills or memories of drinking

wine, most of the time it was a flat no for

ship opportunities at wineries. I was a

in the dorms? I was a sociology major,

anything from weird ingredients to “I

biology major, and I remembered being

and in the afternoons, we enjoyed wine,

don’t want a woman’s stuff in my space.”

interested in learning to make wine, but

cheese, and crackers with our professors

At one point, someone actually said, “I’ve

I didn’t get any of those internships in

during our junior and senior sessions.

had a woman making wine in here before,

how to make it.

Napa. It didn’t seem like there was any

Nitoto: I didn’t have any drinking

and I’m not sure I want to do that again.”

room for me to get in back then. So, I went

experience until after graduation, when

I also had to deal with sexual innuendos

into herbalism. While studying that, I

I went to Japan to live and work as a lan-

with some makers to get my wine made,

discovered a tradition—by women—of

guage teacher. I was actually an introvert

quid pro quo. It was easier to keep my

making wine out of plant material in

[at Mills], and I wasn’t very explorative

boundaries because of Mills and because

the yard/garden: flowers, non-traditional

with certain things at that point.

I had my partner Sam standing there with

fruits, herbs, things like that. I’m primarily self-taught. Over the years, I made

Fuller: How do you think Mills shaped you for this day?

me—but it was gross. I don’t like talking about those things so much; not because

my first batches of lavender wine in my

Nitoto: It was really hard to be a Black

I don’t think they should be talked about,

home, over and over again in a little pot

person at Mills. It’s a crucible, and it’ll

but because I’ve been making wine for

in the closet. Then, I got mentors in the

grind you down, and if you come out the

a little while. The things I need to say to FA L L 2 0 2 2

19

Aaliyah Nitoto ’99 is the owner and founder of Free Range Flower Winery, which produces wines made from organically grown flowers using ancient (and women-centered) techniques.

Entering its fifth year, Free Range is garnering more and more attention across the wine world, with recent features in publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle. Free Range started in Oakland and now hosts a tasting room in Livermore, with four main varietals: lavender, rose hibiscus, rose petal, and marigold. Her website is freerangeflowerwinery.com.

women, or anybody trying to do some-

don’t have to go through all that, but

Fuller: About eight or nine years ago, I

thing wacky and out there in the world,

you’re a Mills woman, you’re here, and

decided I was going to put together the

is that the positive [matters]. Not “you

you can move forward.

inaugural Oakland Wine Festival. My

can do it if you believe in yourself!” but

Nitoto: Yeah, I am—but those were the

idea to bring the best winemakers in the

“I went through a lot of struggle, and I’ve

horror stories. I cried for a bit, but then I

Napa Valley to Oakland stemmed from

had a lot of setbacks. But I got back up and

jumped into my car with a bottle of wine I

the rampant racism and bigotry in the

dusted myself off.”

made in my kitchen, and I drove to the Oak

fine wine industry. We held it here! It

I had a custom crush agreement with

Barrel Winecraft and a few other places

was huge, fully seated, and in this room

this one winery—it was the guy who

that supplied wineries. And I said, “I make

[the RAH living room], the illustrious

wasn’t sure about hosting a woman

good wine, and I need somebody to help

Michael Silacci, the winemaker for Opus

again—and one condescending thing he

me make it.” That’s what I did—and that’s

One, held court for our invited patrons.

said to me was that he wanted to make

what Mills did for me! I got knocked down

We took every detail of our educational

sure that I was serious about doing this.

a lot, really seriously, and what do you

tastings, seminars, workshops, break-

He wanted to make sure I had my LLC,

do? You pick yourself up. I finally found

fasts, lunches and dinners, to the high-

the more expensive licensure, and my

a shipping container in West Oakland

est levels, because I did not want people

equipment ready before I moved into

that [Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade

to say, “Oh, Black people, all they know

the winery. At that time, my partner and

Bureau] and [California Department of

to do is walk-about [wine festivals].” I

I only had $10K together, so we spent

Alcoholic Beverage Control] approved,

don’t do walk-abouts, and those are fine

$800 for the LLC and various amounts of

and I started making wine there on my

for other people, but that’s not what the

money for all this equipment, but three

own, which is the way it should have

festival was about. We were about build-

days before we were supposed to move

always been. And that’s how I started—we

ing relationships, and we did that over

in, he pulled out of the deal.

started with $20,000 of personal money

our years.

Fuller: A lot of men who make wine 20

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

from me and my partner, and that’s it.

When we held our events (though

Opposite page, photos of Nitoto by (from left to right) Brendan Mainini, Natalie Palms, and Sam Prestianni. Wine bottle photo by Ben Kist.

want to sell it in full bottles, because I

lasting change. Until we own shit, we’re

wanted people to feel comfortable about

really not about shit, and the white people

buying and finishing what they get. I also

are like, “Uh huh, I’ll help you do this lit-

call it a “me-time” bottle because people

tle bit this one time, because you’ll never

will buy it and have it for themselves—or

be where I am in the wine industry.”

only the first was held at Mills), I told

they can share with a friend. That’s been

All of wine writing and publishing has

some people who did not appreciate the

so popular that I’ve put my newest wine

to change. Maybe the consumers (and col-

top-shelf event we built: “This is not the

in splits: a sparkling wine, red clover.

lege alumni wine clubs) will demand this.

event for you.” Not every wine event is

When you open it, it has the scent of cin-

for everybody. Now, that came from

namon and fresh stone fruit.

Nitoto: In 2020, our winery was struggling along in our little shipping container

my mother, not Mills. Over time, some

Fuller: What was your class color at Mills?

in West Oakland. When George Floyd was

people learned to respect what we did

Nitoto: Purple!

murdered, all of a sudden, everything

and how we did it. Over those five years,

Fuller: Shoot! I was about to say, “Bring

blew up for me. People were going to my

we probably brought many of the more

the red clover to Reunion!” My class

website, my Facebook, my Instagram, get-

than 500 wineries/winemakers from the

color is green.

ting on our mailing list, asking questions,

Napa Valley to Oakland. Over the years, we hosted celebrated winemakers from Italy and France. We brought wonderful women and men winemakers from South Africa to the Oakland Wine Festival, too.

Aaliyah, do you do tastings in your space? How can people taste your wine?

Nitoto: Up until late last year, we didn’t have one. My facility was in West Oakland, and we did tastings at events and wherever we could—private or industry events. Now, we have grown so much that we have a great space and tasting room in Livermore! Right now, with everyone seeing a dip in their sales, wine clubs are really key to survival as well.

Quarterly: How have the pandemic and supply chain issues been affecting your business, or are things OK?

Quarterly: You’ve brought wines here to Reunions before.

Nitoto: Yes! It was a lot of fun. It was for graduation and Reunion.

I certainly have a love-hate thing with Mills—it took me a long time to even come back after leaving. I was like, “I’m done!” One day, if Mills is able to come to some kind of healthy relationship with all communities on its campus, then it’s going to be so special.

Quarterly: How long have you been in the industry, Aaliyah?

joining our wine club. It was so amazing to finally get recognition, but “bittersweet” is not even close to how it felt.

Fuller: Back then, I said, “If you decide to make a deal with the devil—using Mr. George Floyd Jr.’s blood money—to advance yourself in any way, that’s on you. Doing so is not sustainable, and it’s also not a good business model. What you’re doing is giving white, corporate America a pacifier.” I didn’t want any piece of that. Where’s the morality on both ends of that transaction?

I get it, but two summers later, where

Nitoto: I’m going into my fifth year!

are we? Businesses—especially African

Quarterly: I’m curious how the industry has evolved since the year you started—four to five years versus several decades for Melody.

ing. Not everyone in the wine world is

Americans in the business—are hurthurting: That first year, 2020-21, profits and wine consumption were up 300% overall. Black wineries that shared infor-

Fuller: I write about this often. I prefer

mation experienced a bump before the

Nitoto: Well, it’s the same as everybody:

to write about what’s in the bottle—how-

bottom fell out. This Black Lives Matter

It’s hard. Glass, especially clear glass, is

ever, being a Black woman in a white

guilt-spending

difficult to come by. The last time around,

space, I don’t always get invited to do

Guilt money does not go to the bank

I bought extras—we usually keep on hand

that. Honestly, in the fine wine industry,

year after year. Emotions don’t keep the

just what we’re going to use because

there has not been much racial evolu-

doors of any Black business open.

space is a premium. The last time I tried

tion over the decades.

was

not

sustainable.

Nitoto: Going up against the system, who’s going to suffer?

to get bottles, they said, “It’s going to be

I like to talk about what’s inside the

four to six months out.” Which was not

bottles because there are very few Black

Fuller: You! I mentor five young ladies

good—especially because our business

wine writers or columnists, and there are

in the industry. They’re all doing differ-

is so young, and we needed capital. The

no Black wine magazine or newspaper

ent things, they’re all in different places

great thing is that there’s a couple of win-

editors. We don’t own any of the big four

in their journeys, and they’re winning.

eries in the same row as mine, and they’ve

wine magazines, nor are Black writers

When each woman makes decisions,

asked, “Can we buy some bottles from

listed on mastheads unless they’re guest

she’s growing. I tell my mentees, you

you?” And I let them, but they’re ordering

contributors. Most Black people writing

have to run everything through your

the bottles—we’re helping each other.

wine columns are guests. Wine books?

core visions, values, and morals, and you

Fuller: Do you do splits (half bottles)?

Name the first Black person you know

have to ask, “What is your legacy going

Nitoto: Yes. The sparkling lavender was

who has published a wine book. This is a

to be?” This is how you stay in business

my first wine, and because it’s so different

national tragedy. We have to do the work

and how you teach people how to respect

than anything you’ve ever tasted, I didn’t

behind the scenes to get significant and

you as a professional businesswoman.  FA L L 2 0 2 2

21

AAMC NEWS & NOTES A Message from the AAMC President I’m privileged to compose my first Quarterly message to the alumnae community. I look forward to working with the AAMC Board of Governors to continue to connect, support, and serve Mills College alumnae and students.

I can’t tell you what a thrill it still is to witness the beauty of our bucolic campus. The towering eucalyptus trees, the tranquil Aliso Creek winding its way past historic Mills Hall, and the classic Spanish-inspired buildings were sights that awed me on my first visit, and they still do today. I thank my lucky stars that this is my college—the one that defined, enriched and guided my path into adulthood. Mills has been a major part of my life, from student government days to serving on the AAMC Board of Governors for three years prior to my current position. I am honored to connect with you now.

The name of our college has changed and the future is unfolding daily with more questions than answers, but I am grateful—as I hope you are as well—that our campus is still here; that it is still a vibrant community with engaged students, a committed faculty and staff, and most of all, loyal and

professional legal team. The Communications Committee is

active alumnae who relish our shared history as we gather for

working on website improvements and short- and long-range

Reunions and keep in touch through this publication, through

goals with as much input as possible from alumnae to assess

social media, and through our long-standing friendships.

the tenor of our membership. The ASR Committee is host-

I don’t mean to gloss over the past challenging months, as

ing social and supportive events for students. The Branch

we faced the pending closure of the College, then the proposed

Committee is reaching out to clubs to strengthen networking

merger, and now the reality of Mills College at Northeastern.

and connections. The AOCC is celebrating a landmark anniver-

It was a period of deep division, with some alumnae in denial,

sary as it continues to plan innovative programs and adds to its

some in despair, others ready to fight, and those who welcomed

impressive scholarship fund of more than $250,000. Two new

the solvency that Northeastern would bring. Through it all, the

committees, the LGBTQ Committee and Latina Alliance, were

AAMC tried to listen to and serve our membership, to speak to

formed in spring 2022.

and unify factions when possible, and above all, continue our work and look forward to the future of our organization.

An interim executive director, Pam Herman, was hired in June for six months to strengthen the AAMC infrastructure,

When speaking with fellow alumnae of all ages, the pro-

facilitate board improvements, and take advantage of new and

found gratitude for the education we received here resonates

innovative operational services. Pam comes with an exten-

with all. Testimonials for the paths that opened up, which

sive management history of working in the nonprofit sector,

many of us never saw before our time at Mills, to the feelings

and she herself is an officer in her own alma mater’s alumni

of acceptance and opportunity that abounded here, and for the

organization. Under her leadership, we are learning and work-

awareness of a larger world view that Mills fostered—these are

ing together for the betterment of the AAMC. I look forward

a just a few of the treasures that have been shared. Going for-

to sharing updates of our progress in upcoming issues of the

ward, I hope these memories will continue to carry us through

Quarterly.

for many years as we strive to keep ourselves and the AAMC

In conclusion, the AAMC thanks you for your continued

relevant in today’s world and with the College’s new direction.

support of our efforts to relish our history; to promote the

The AAMC Board of Governors is making strides to do just

Mills values of equity, opportunity, and access for our students;

that. We have a wide range of professions, regions, and years

and above all, to share ideas and suggestions as we go forward

represented on the board—attorneys, entrepreneurs, public

building and enhancing the role of the AAMC at Mills College

servants, business executives, marketing strategists, and more

at Northeastern.

who have held three board meetings by press time. An ad hoc

With appreciation and many thanks,

committee from the Governance Committee is reviewing the

Debby Campbell Dittman ’68, AAMC President

bylaws and articles of incorporation with the assistance of a

president@aamc-mills.org

22

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

2022/23

The AAMC’s New Direction

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors, along with AAMC staff and interim executive director, is

Debby Campbell Dittman ’68, President

hard at work crafting a new path for the AAMC. Since Mills College is now Mills

Pam Roper ’92, Vice President

at Northeastern, we are continuing to build out our own infrastructure, craft a

Kathy Roskos ’80, Vice President

new mission reflective of alumnae input, and plan activities and projects that will

Christina Hannan ’91, Treasurer

carry on the legacy of Mills College. We appreciate all alumnae who have partici-

Melissa Berkay ’18, MBA ’19

pated in our planning surveys, summits, and focus groups, and we look forward

Rachel Cefalu ’14, MPP ’15

to working alongside our community to keep the AAMC strong and proud for

Debra Connick ’85

years to come.

Angela Adams DeMoss, MA ’99 Linda Goodrich ’82 Alice Hewitt ’15 Judy Greenwood Jones ’60 Catherine Ladnier ’70 Mitra Lohrasb Michnik ’90 Kieran Turan ’90 Karilee Wirthlin ’92 Ariadne Wolf, MFA ’19 Cherlene Sprague Wright ’92

‹ The AAMC hosted a table during the student resource fair on September 1 across from Holmgren Meadow.

Alumnae educated students and parents about the origins and of Mills College—its beginnings as a groundbreaking space to educate women, its worldchanging alumnae, and its legacy as a haven for underserved communities. Striker Joyce Fung Yee ’90 brought her very own Strike scrapbook, and collection of Strike media coverage, and she shared fresh-baked cookies made from a 1940s Mills recipe.

Where to find us Help us build our database You can now add your information to our independent database at aamc-mills.edu/update-contact-info. This information will be used to best serve you, and it will not be shared with Mills at Northeastern.

You will have a chance to join our mailing list, and you may review our privacy policy at any time at aamc-mills.org/privacy-policy.

Stay up to date with the AAMC

Alumnae.m ills.edu will soon re direct to aamc-m ills.org.

Our new em ail address is info@aamc -mills.org.

Join our mailing list at aamc-mills.org/subscribe to receive more regular communications into the future.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

23

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of Mills Quarterly.

Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College alumnae community.

To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills. edu.

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of the Mills Quarterly.

Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College Alumnae Community, alumnae.mills.edu. To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills.edu.

In Memoriam Notices of deaths received before July 8 To submit listings, please contact alumnae-relations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123 Frances Lacey Hoffman ’40, January 26, 2018, in Fullerton, California.

After Mills, she graduated with a degree in business from UC Berkeley.

She is survived by a son.

Reba Sinclair Trask ’40, December 17, 2021, in Placerville, California.

She later graduated from the University of the Pacific. After a brief teaching stint, Reba went into radio in San Francisco before moving to Hawaii. There, she met her late husband Richard, and their family followed his naval career around the United States. After his death, Reba got involved with the Placerville Shakespeare Club among other organizations, and she loved traveling domestically and abroad. She is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren, three great-granddaughters, and cousin Vance Gibb Randolph ’51.

Mary Gruber Basham ’41, January 4, 2016, in Boulder Creek, California.

She was a longtime English teacher, and her husband, Marion, predeceased her.

Nancy Heinz Russell ’42, November 6, 2020, in Newport Beach, California. She was a vibrant personality who was also known as Honey. Nancy was born in Pittsburgh as the granddaughter of H.J. Heinz, who founded the Heinz Company, and she was a devoted philanthropist with two foundations dedicated to children. After stints in Beverly Hills, Palm Desert, and Lake Tahoe, she returned to live in her favorite childhood vacation spot of Balboa Island. There, she was a record-holding freestyle swimmer. She is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Mary Lane Koontz ’42, April 27, in Henderson, Minnesota. She majored in music at Mills. She is survived by four children and a niece, Mary Lane Gallagher ’92.

Helen Barbour Poindexter ’46, May 1, in Pomona, California. At Mills, she majored in psychology, and she spent time volunteering at the Oak Tree Lodge retirement community in Pomona as a docent and storyteller. Helen’s sister, Sylvia Barbour Vrabec ’49, predeceased her, and she is survived by three children.

Gifts in Memory of Received March 1, 2022 – May 31, 2022 Marilyn Cole Arrington ’68 by Antonette Lehman ’70 Sam and Toshiko Hasegawa by their granddaughter, Stefanie Yoshizuka ’13 Melinda Micco by Stefanie Yoshizuka ’13 Helen Barbour Poindexter ’46 by Lucile Pedler Griffiths ’46, MA ’47, P ’75 Clara Daniels Reinhardt ’47, P ’81 by her daughter, Jennie Reinhardt ’81 Debra Strong ’79 by Renee Zakoor ’78 Nancy Thornborrow, P ’93 by Martha Sellers ’86 Amy Tokioka, P ’74 by her daughter, Pamela Tokioka Carlson ’74 Robert Wo in honor of Bob’s birthday, by his family and the Robert and Betty Wo Foundation

28

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Ruth Goldberg ’46, February 2021, in Los Angeles. She worked as a property manager for the Highlands Owners Association.

Eleanor Leach Merritt ’46, March 16, 2020, in Sonoma. She majored in history at Mills and later earned a teaching credential in special education at Cal. After living in Maryland and Virginia, Eleanor and her late husband, John, returned to the North Bay. She is survived by four children.

Anne Davidson McNitt ’47, May 5, in Thiensville, Wisconsin. Her birthday, September 1, was a fun family holiday throughout her life.

After Mills, Anne graduated from Northwestern, later moving to the Milwaukee suburbs. There, she and her ex-husband raised three daughters and she co-founded the Frank L. Weyenberg Library.

Anne loved British humor—John Cleese and Fawlty Towers in particular. She is survived by three daughters, a granddaughter, and a great-granddaughter.

Carol Noble Smiley ’47, June 28, in Gustine, California. One year after graduating from Mills, she earned a master’s degree in music history and literature from Wellesley. She is survived by a son.

Doris “Dorie” Riese McFarland ’47, MSC ’48, August 10, 2018, in Salinas, California. She earned her degree and credential in music education, and she also won an award in musical composition at Mills.

Dorie taught piano and worked as a substitute teacher in her late husband’s eponymous hometown of McFarland, California, while raising her family. After the couple moved to the Monterey area, Dorie continued participating in community choral groups, and she loved getting out into nature. She is survived by five children, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Susan Blumeyer Braxton ’48, November 19, 2017, in St. Louis. She outlived three husbands. Susan worked in real estate, and she was a founding member of the Fleur de Lis Ball cotillion in St. Louis. Susan also loved to golf, play bridge, and travel, and her family calls her one-of-a-kind with a hearty laugh and impeccable sense of style. She is survived by five children, three stepchildren, five grandchildren, and two siblings.

Bonnie Grosser Rogers ’48, May 15, 2020, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was a voice major at Mills and sang throughout the years in church, at weddings, and on special occasions. Bonnie taught elementary school, and later fulfilled a dream when her family moved to a farm in remote southwestern Wisconsin. Her family remembers her endless encouragement and strong belief that society can only thrive when differences are celebrated. She is survived by four children, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a sister.

Shirley Peavey Walkoe ’48, July 3, 2022, in San Diego. At Mills, she studied biology, then went to work as a veterinarian’s assistant at the San Diego Zoo. After marriage, Shirley and late husband Albert moved around the United States for his naval career, but later returned to her hometown of San Diego where Albert opened a law practice. Shirley volunteered at the Museum of Us and Peninsula Shepherd Senior Center, and she loved to travel. She is survived by four children, a granddaughter, and a step-granddaughter.

Marilyn Wilson Newland ’48, April 13, 2022, in Bellevue, Washington. She continued on to the University of Washington where she earned a BA in music education. Marilyn married her late husband Jake in 1948 and raised her family in Richland and later in Bellevue, Washington. She devoted her life to music by teaching piano, conducting church choirs, and playing organ for church services. She is survived by two children, including Alison Newland ’75; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Cynthia Craft Holland ’49, May 8, in Houston. Post graduation, she studied at the Sorbonne and gained fluency in French. A passion for learning followed her throughout her life, especially for Indigenous communities in North America, and she traveled around the world.

Cynthia brushed elbows with well-known personalities—she drove in a carpool with Barbara Bush—and she was a devoted friend and volunteer, even wanting to pitch in at the hospital during the pandemic.

She is survived by a brother, six children, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Cross Vincent ’49, May 11, 2020, in Oceanside, California. After Mills, she graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in government and history, and later earned a certificate in elementary education. Among other positions, Betsy worked as a social worker in Orange County. She is survived by four daughters.

Margaret “Peggy” Ross Roberts ’49, April 24, in Amherst, Massachusetts. She received a master’s degree in botany, going on to conduct research and teach at universities in the Amherst area. While Peggy was a California native, she took to life in Massachusetts, spending 48 years on Amherst’s Redevelopment Authority and working with the League of Women Donors for 66. One of the many things she taught her family was her love of nature. She is survived by two children and four grandchildren.

Jeannee Vahlberg Adams ’49, October 9, 2020, in Oklahoma City. After Mills, she graduated with a degree in education from the University of Oklahoma, later earning a master’s in education from Central State University. Jeannee’s career with Oklahoma City Public Schools spanned from teacher to curriculum consultant to principal. She is survived by a sister, two sons, and her stepchildren.

Nancie Stevens McGraw ’51, June 5, in Portland, Oregon. She spent time in her beloved Paris after two years at Mills, later working for the United States government before marriage. In her hometown of Portland, Nancie concentrated her volunteer efforts on conservation, including Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the North Coast Land Conservancy, and she served on the board of Planned Parenthood. Her family fondly recalls her deep affection for chocolate. She is survived by five children and nine grandchildren.

Patricia Stockton Leddy ’51, MFA ’93, May 17, in Bakersfield. She studied dance at Mills with Martha Graham, later following the legend to Connecticut College and New York City. Patricia was entrenched in the arts; in addition to teaching dance, she earned degrees in filmmaking from Brooks Institute and creative studies at UC Santa Barbara before returning to Mills for her MFA in creative writing. In recent years, Patricia and her Richard Neutra-designed home in Bakersfield appeared in The New Yorker. She is survived by her partner, James T. Aeby; a brother; two children; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Betty Young Erickson, MA ’53, January 26, 2021, in Woodbridge, Virginia. She earned her MA in child development at Mills after graduating with a degree in education from the University of the Pacific, and after working as a reading specialist in Prince William County Schools, she became a children’s author. Betty had a big family and was known for her “brag wall,” a row of framed photos of each child’s family circling her bedroom walls like crown molding. She is survived by seven children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Enid McCready Reeves ’56, March 15, in Napa. At Mills, she was a double-major in Spanish and government. Enid traveled around the world, especially India and throughout the Middle East, and she spent time helping in the tasting room and in the gardens at Sierra Vista, her brother and sister-in-law’s winery in Placerville. She found herself at home outdoors, tending to her farm or riding horses. She is survived by her husband, Douglas; two nieces; and three great-nephews.

Kristen Allison Avansino ’67, MA ’69 Philanthropist and Mills volunteer Kristen Allison Avansino ’67, MA ’69, died on May 15 after being struck by a car in San Francisco several days prior. She is survived by her husband, Skip; two daughters; and five grandchildren.

Her two Mills degrees were in dance, and that’s what she pursued: At the time of her death, she was still teaching classes as professor emerita of dance at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Kristen joined the faculty there in 1971, and not long after she began, she revamped the dance curriculum. She earned doctorates in education from Thomas Jefferson University in 1999 and in humane letters from the University of Nevada in 2016.

In addition, she was a fervent supporter of the Reno community.

Kristen was the longtime president and executive director of the E.L. Wiegand Foundation and executive director of the Edwin L. Wiegand Trust, and under her leadership, projects such as learning centers for children and science wings in local high schools received funding. She also served as the Nevada representative on the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts for the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, from 2003 to 2008.

In a statement to the Reno Gazette Journal, her family said: “We will always remember her bright smile, sparkling eyes, endless creativity, and her infectious enthusiasm. She was a magnetic, stylish woman who spread positivity with every interaction, and we will lead the rest of our lives in her example and walk proudly in her path.”

Mary Gannon Hutson ’58, April 15, in Bakersfield. She transferred to Mills from Cal, later marrying her high school sweetheart as he was serving in the military. The family returned home to Bakersfield, where Mary opened a nursery school and a family counseling practice alongside her mother.

WarmLine, a helpline for new mothers set up by the duo, still thrives today.

Mary was also a Francophile who loved to meet up with other French speakers for tea. She is survived by two sons and five grandchildren.

Carolyn Hawley, MA ’58, May 29, in Ukiah. She was a musical tour de force who had a huge impact on the Ukiah performing arts community. As the founder and conductor of Ukiah Symphony Orchestra, Carolyn wrote more than 100 original compositions, including two major works for orchestra and chorus, but she was also known for her painting, poetry, and ballroom dancing. In addition, Carolyn created the music department at Laney College. She is survived by her children and the many students she taught over the years.

Marjolaine Law-Yone Tin-Nyo, MA ’59, May 13, in Portland, Oregon. Her father was a government official in Burma who was exiled to the United States after Marjolaine graduated from Mills. Marjolaine was a lecturer in English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Maryland, and she authored a book titled American Dreams, which was released in 2009. She is survived by her children.

Eda Osgoode Mills ’59, February 12, in Berthoud, Colorado. She majored in English at Mills and enjoyed a life filled with literature and writing. Eda translated that love into teaching, as well as coaching in forensics. After time in Kansas City, the family moved back to the Denver area, where Eda helped to organize the yearly Women’s College for a Day event. She loved playing golf, fly-fishing, and tending to her pets, and she served as a docent at the Denver Zoo for decades. She is survived by her husband, Jay; three sons; and her grandchildren.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

29

Desiree Farrington de Angelise ’60, May 28, in Janesville, Wisconsin.

No matter her job, she loved to write poetry and philosophical essays, with several pieces getting published. Desiree also enjoyed dancing.

She is survived by two children and her ex-husband.

Josette Smith de la Harpe ’60, March 1, 2022, in Santa Fe. She studied art history at Mills and worked as an artist in New Mexico. Josette was also known around Santa Fe for her vibrant home garden. She is survived by two children.

Anne Collins ’61, April 24, 2022, in Hanover, New Hampshire. After Mills, she worked for the US State Department, an experience that inspired her to enroll in medical school at Columbia. Anne then took her talents around the world, treating patients in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, and she studied leprosy in the Indigenous population of Western Australia. After contracting a near-fatal stomach condition that affected her mobility, she learned to fly small planes and para-ski. She is survived by two brothers and seven nieces and nephews.

Mary Jo Hotchkiss Robinson ’61, May 12, in Anchorage, Alaska. After Mills, she joined the Peace Corps and taught English in Togo. Mary Jo and her first husband relocated to Alaska, where she taught and helped start the Anchorage Association for the Education of Young Children. She then switched careers to social work after earning an MSW at the University of Wisconsin. After Mary Jo remarried in 1993, the couple loved to travel and ballroom-dance—though she was first a clumsy dancer, she persisted. She is survived by two daughters.

Anne Hodgsdon ’62, April 15, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After Mills, she was one of the first women to attend and earn an MBA from Harvard Business School. Settling in Boston, she worked for a time in the early days of computer programming before switching careers to art. Her playful ceramic creations, mostly quirky interpretations of the natural world, were displayed at and sold by Mudflat Studios in Cambridge, where she also taught hand-building classes and worked on staff. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Karen Luhring Lips ’62, April 7, 2017, in Salinas, California. She met her husband, Philip, in dental school at USC, where she studied to be a dental hygienist, and she assisted at his practice for decades. Karen also loved to sing, taking music classes at San Jose State, and then began directing choirs: first, at Sacred Heart Church in Salinas; then at Hartnell College and Monterey’s Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo. Her family recommended that mourners wear bright colors to her service.

She is survived by Philip, four children, and her grandchildren.

Marilyn Jensen ’63, June 15, 2017, in Union City, California. After Mills, she earned a master of arts in education at San Francisco State and a master of library science from UC Berkeley. Marilyn was a longtime library coordinator at Cal. Her husband, Irwin Uteritz, predeceased her.

Roberta Chroman Turkat ’64, December 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. She left Mills early to marry her late husband, Terry, and the duo raised their family between Southern California and Aspen, Colorado. Roberta loved music, and her family says she’ll be remembered for her strength of character. She is survived by two daughters and her grandchildren.

Linda Parker Dodge ’64, April 24, in Danville, California. She majored in anthropology and sociology at Mills, and she worked as an insurance agent. Linda was also an active member of the American Association of University Women and a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by her husband, David, and a daughter.

30

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Lynda Campfield ’00, MA ’02 At alumnae events, Lynda Campfield could often be found sitting right inside the entrance of Reinhardt Alumnae House, ready with a broad smile and a kind word for whoever came by.

At Commencement 2022, just a few days after her untimely passing, her Mills friends decorated her usual chair with flowers, a robe and stole, the nametag that had been prepared for her for the day’s festivities, and the Class of 2000 felt banner, which she had proudly carried many times.

Lynda came to Mills as a resumer: She graduated from high school in 1981 and first attended Sacramento City College starting in 1996. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English at Mills,

TERESA TA M

Cheryl Lindgren Marsh ’65, June 10, 2021, in Redondo Beach, California. After Mills, she graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in psychology and earned a master’s in speech and language pathology from Cal State Long Beach. Cheryl worked with students at the Switzer Learning Center for nearly 30 years. She also helped co-found the Oceanographic Teaching Station and Roundhouse Aquarium at the Manhattan Beach Pier, an example of the deep commitment she had to environmentalism, and participated in film and book clubs for decades.

She is survived by two children, five grandchildren, and a brother.

Marva Mustain Annis ’67, June 16, in Onancock, Virginia. She settled on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where her former husband was from, not long after she graduated from Mills. Though an outsider, she threw herself into her new community: teaching at Northampton High School, serving on the boards of organizations such as the Eastern Shore Literacy Council and Eastern Shore Community Services Board, and enjoying leisure time with friends at the Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club. She is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and three siblings.

Sheryl Gillett Caudana ’72, October 11, 2021, in Irvine, California. She was a drama major at Mills, later graduating from Occidental College.

Sheryl was an accredited personal property appraiser who specialized in antiques and the decorative arts, and she partnered with her husband, Stephen, in running Gillett & Caudana Appraisers for nearly 40 years. Her varied volunteer work ranged from Women of Vision in Newport Beach and Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She is survived by Stephen and two sons.

Debra Strong ’79, April 10, in Mesa, Arizona. At Mills, Debra majored in administration and legal processes, and she owned and operated her own marketing firm. She is survived by her husband, Mike Harris.

she enrolled in the School of Education and obtained a master’s in teaching. For 21 years, she taught English at San Leandro High School, a vocation she truly loved, and she volunteered in promoting literacy efforts for people at Folsom State Prison and the California Youth Authority. Her volunteerism also extended to Habitat for Humanity, the Alameda County Community Food Bank, and her local teachers’ union.

At Mills, Lynda was a constant presence. When she won the AAMC’s Outstanding Volunteer Award at Reunion 2013, her ensuing Quarterly profile noted that “few AAMC events happen without her involvement.” She said then: “Long before Mills would teach me ‘Remember who you are and what you represent,’ my parents taught me that if you have something to give, then you must give.”

In addition to the many events she helped with, Lynda served as vice president on the Board of Governors for several years, starting in 2006. In celebrating her life, Lynda’s family noted how much she loved Mills, and her funeral repast was held at RAH. Lynda died on May 12 in Oakland. She is survived by three siblings, two nephews, many cousins, and a wide array of admirers, beloved students, and friends.

Crisley Haydis Bauer ’84, TCRED ’85, April 3, in Berkeley. The tuberculosis epidemic defined her life: It took her parents when she was 3 and left lasting damage on her lungs. It also prompted her work in wellness, which peaked when she testified about tuberculosis before Congress in the 1990s. Crisley was a resumer at Mills, even appearing in a San Francisco Examiner piece about the journey, graduating with a degree in American civilization 41 years after she finished high school. She is survived by two children, including daughter Lynda Bauer ’77, and many nieces and nephews.

Faculty & Staff

Dana Robinette ’01, January 14, in Pensacola, Florida. She later graduated from Pensacola State College, and she earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of West Florida. Dana worked the business side of retail for many years. She is survived by her father, stepmother, two siblings, and her fiancé, Ron Perry.

Warren Kunstman, spouse of the late Carol Fleming Kunstman ’48, November 11, 2019, in Florissant, Missouri.

Cybil Nelson ’09, June 24, 2022, in Klamath Falls, Oregon. She graduated from Humboldt State with a degree in biology, hoping to one day preserve native plant and animal habitats with the US Forest Service. Cybil volunteered with organizations such as Engineers Without Borders and documented her work as a conservation biologist on YouTube. She was also a talented dancer and loved all manner of outdoor sports and activities. She is survived by her parents, a sister, two nephews, and many cousins, aunts, and uncles.

William “Will” Gluck, MFA ’15, MA ’16, June 22, 2022, in Lincoln, Massachusetts. At Mills, he won the Margaret Lyons Music Prize for Excellence in Composition. As an Oakland-based musician, Will worked with guitar, piano, pipe organ, and electronic media, and his composition “For Emily Dickinson” was performed at the Center for New Music in San Francisco six weeks before his death. He battled glioblastoma for 10 years, and he donated his brain to the Harvard Brain Bank to help the search for a cure. He is survived by his parents, two sisters, a niece, and many friends.

Peter Dodge, former consulting architect, October 22, 2021, in Santa Rosa, California.

Spouses and Family James Abts, spouse of Jane Simonton Abts ’51, October 16, 2019, in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Anthony Diez, spouse of Julia Prentiss Diez ’63, April 5, in Oakland.

Victoria Read, parent of Elizabeth Read McKee ’78 and Susan Read ’80, May 29, 2017, in San Jose.

Edmond Emile Reed, spouse of Kimberlee Currans Reed ’95, May 22, in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Yvonne Sporer, parent of Michaela Sporer Thompson ’15 and the late Denise Sporer Keefe ’74, January 2, 2021, in Oakland.

Robert Sliter, spouse of Stuart Johnson Sliter ’61, May 18, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska.

Bill Thomas, spouse of Marge Miskelly Thomas ’67 and parent of Katherine Thomas ’88 and Megan Thomas ’93, May 25, in Sonoma.

Bernard Widofsky, spouse of the late Joyce Goodwin Widofsky ’59, March 27, 2022, in New Orleans.

Friends Alpha Mae Beamer, former Associate Council member, October 13, 2020, in Piedmont, California.

Elaine Halnan, May 4, in Berkeley.

Frances Zavis, March 19, 2021, in Menlo Park, California.

FA L L 2 0 2 2

31

THE RIGHT KIND OF TEACHER A remembrance of Professor Emerita of English Diana O’Hehir.

BY JANE DOWNS, MA ’96 There is a saying that one retires from a profession, but never

And they did: I began writing poetry. We had writer friends

from an art. Diana O’Hehir, who died in 2021 at age 99, embod-

in common. I studied poetry with Diana in independent work-

ied the phrase.

shops where her encouragement drew out more from her stu-

In 1992, after 32 years, she retired from Mills, where she

dents than anyone else. She taught me to really listen to the

founded the Creative Writing Department and taught litera-

poems that each student read aloud. The way she responded

ture. In 2012, the year she turned 90, she published Walk Me

to the work of others taught me to see new things in my own

To Schenectady, her seventh book of poetry. Diana wrote five

writing. When I left each session, I was excited, ready to write

novels and published her work in numerous literary journals,

another poem to bring the following week.

including FIELD, The Paris Review, Poetry, and Shenandoah. She

But the way I grew to know Diana best was through reading

was the recipient of awards such as a Guggenheim Fellowship,

her poetry, where she transformed her life, tragedy, and loss

the Devins Award for Poetry, the Helen Bullis Award, and the

into art. In the title poem “Home Free,” she turned her father’s

Poetry Society of America’s Alice Fay di Castagnola Award. Her

death into an act of freedom when she describes a bird being

novel I Wish This War Were Over was short-listed for a Pulitzer

released from its cage.

Prize, and her book Spells for Not Dying Again received a Northern California Book Award for poetry in 1997.

I first encountered her in 1992 in an English class where she’d been invited by our instructor to read several poems. Diana had the look of the quintessential English professor—tall, thin,

Spring the door with your plastic diner’s card, wait for the scrabble, the Head poked out the door, air by your face, And up it goes.

white-haired, dignified. I was struck by the beauty and power

In “Climbing,” the first poem in Spells for Not Dying Again, The

of her poetry and the delight she took in reading her work.

Soul climbs a ladder to The Sky Goddess as a man on an air-

Beneath her intelligence, there was a puckish quality, a sparkle.

plane “remembers his first car.” The ineffable coexists alongside

The next semester, I met Diana as her student in a James

the knowable concrete world.

Joyce seminar where I learned what an exceptional teacher she

Walk Me To Schenectady is about the loss of her husband,

was. She led 12 of us through Joyce’s work, including the for-

Mel Fiske. Diana and Mel were married twice, with 30 years

midable Ulysses, and she was the ultimate professional while

of separation between their two unions. The cover photograph

making her students feel that she truly cared about what they

shows a young couple on their wedding day. They are framed

wrote and what they said. We loved her. When she handed

in bright yellow—not the color of mourning, but of life. In the

back my final paper, she said, “I am sure we will meet again.”

poem “Darling,” she writes incorrectly that she

Although I assumed this was a common expression of hers, I took it to heart, expecting that our paths would cross.

wasn’t the right kind of teacher: I was the wrong kind of teacher.

I told my students everything.

Exactly 20 years ago, former Mills professor Josephine Carson wrote an appreciation of Diana O’Hehir’s work in the fall 2002 Quarterly. Read that piece online at quarterly .mills.edu.

He’s my ex-husband; he’s been here for three days; I really like him.

They lined up at the classroom window, solemn and intense, agreeing He’s darling.

Of course you’ve got to marry him.

Diana was the real thing. An artist whose teaching and poetry touched and inspired us to keep searching for just the right words. She is dearly missed.

Jane Downs, MA ’96, earned her bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University before coming to Mills to study the liberal arts. She is the author of poetry and fiction that has appeared in publications such as Borderlands, Field, and the Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine. Her novella The Sleeping Wall was a finalist in the 2010 Chiasmus Press book contest. With book artist Marie Dern, she cofounded the independent press Red Berry Editions, which closed in 2017. She lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

32

M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY

Show your pride for Mills College and the AAMC by purchasing a keepsake from our online shop.

View apparel, ornaments, stickers, Pearl M pendants, and a newly restocked assortment of gold and silver eucalyptus pins at

aamcmerch.square.site.

AAMC Travel Programs Legends of the Nile Discover Egypt’s intoxicating allure! Accompanied by an expert Egyptologist, you’ll be awed by millennia-old grandeur, from Giza’s pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx to Abu Simbel’s colossal statues and Tutankhamen’s treasures in the antiquities-filled Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore royal tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens and magnificent temples in Luxor and Karnak. Cruise along the mighty Nile past fertile valleys and the desert beyond. It’s an unforgettable adventure brimming with extraordinary moments!

Costa Rica and Passage Through the Panama Canal Journey from the Costa Rican rainforest through the mighty locks of the Panama Canal. The journey begins with one night in a deluxe hotel in San José, Costa Rica, exploring the terrestrial wonders of that country’s national parks, wildlife refuges, botanic gardens, and pristine waters that diverse marine life call home. Then, cruise for seven nights aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star Le Bellot. Experience a daylight passage through the awe-inspiring Panama Canal and visit off-thebeaten-path Cébaco Island, tour Panama City, and enjoy lectures by exclusive onboard study leaders.

See the AAMC Travel Program website at alumnae.mills.edu/travel or email aamc@mills.edu for more information.

Mills Quarterly Mills College at Northeastern University 5000 MacArthur Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94613-1301 510.430.3312 quarterly@mills.edu www.mills.edu