Mills Quarterly, Spring 2022

Letters to the Editor I so enjoyed the fall Quarterly.

The event had the atmosphere of a

It was a pleasure to see Bette Spagel’s

festive, small-town picnic. The Benicia

letter regarding Beth O’Neill’s work.

High School band played. Mayors C.

Beth’s efforts were continued by Bette,

Carston Johansen of Benicia and John

who followed her as a wonderful dean of

C. Houlihan of Oakland, Mills College

admissions.

President C. Easton Rothwell, and Mills

It was also a pleasure to read the fine

Chaplain George Hedley conducted the

article on Jim Graham. He was a central

ceremony. Dressed in period attire were

figure at Mills for many years and served

Doris; daughter Anne (later Anne von

Volume CXI, Number 3 (USPS 349-900) Spring 2022

in many capacities. I still remember sitting

Colditz Sattler ’77, MA ’81); and four

at the dinner table one night years and

Mills students descended from Seminary

President Elizabeth L. Hillman

years ago, when my children learned to

students: KerryLynn Blau-Williams ’65,

their great surprise and disappointment

Katherine Coopman ’68, Wendy Hull

that Jim was not the president of Mills

Brody ’68, and Lynne Appleton ’65.

Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Sherisse Dozier Managing Editor Allison Rost Design and Art Direction Nancy Siller Wilson

College. The kids had attended the sum-

When dedicated, the new marker was

mer programs so well managed by him.

dark brown with gold lettering. Fifty-six

(Both daughters—Megan Thomas ’93, MA

years later, the bronze has oxidized to a

’98; and Katie Thomas ’88—later gradu-

green patina just as the event faded in

ated from the College.)

my memory—until I saw the photos in

It is my hope that one essential ele-

Editorial Assistant Tri-an Cao ’21, MFA ’22

ment of Mills, the friendships and mutual

Contributors Britt Allen Lila Goehring ’21 Rachel Leibrock, MFA ’04 Moya Stone, MFA ’03

faculty, staff, and students, will somehow

The Mills Quarterly (USPS 349-900) is published quarterly by Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, California, and at additional mailing office(s). Postmaster: Send address changes to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

The photos of the Mills Seminary histor-

Copyright © 2022, Mills College Address correspondence to Mills Quarterly, Mills College, 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.

respect and support that existed among remain in the current transition.

–Marge Miskelly Thomas, MA ’67; Sonoma, California

Mills Quarterly.

–Elizabeth McDearmon Werner ’66, Clearwater, Florida Dear Jan Holmgren: Where are you and why have you stayed silent? We need to hear your voice! You have provided inspiring words to the Mills community in the past, but your silence is deafening now.

ical markers in the winter Mills Quarterly

I met you several times at Mills alum-

brought back memories of a festive occa-

nae functions and was always impressed

sion on May 2, 1965. During my junior

by your “no nonsense” way of leading

year, the Mills community attended the

the community. Thank you for your

dedication of the second plaque.

leadership in building up Mills: You sup-

The dedication ceremony only hap-

ported the Sesquicentennial Campaign,

pened because 10-year-old Anne von

increased faculty diversity, and success-

Colditz was searching for her glasses

fully enlarged the Mills student body.

in Benicia City Park when she spotted a

You are a valued president emerita

bronze plaque that said “Mills” buried in

of our special college. You have shaped

the grass. She showed it to her mother,

Mills’ past in significant ways, and your

Doris von Colditz ’41 (later Blackwell), who

help is needed again at this critical junc-

was then the president of the Alumnae

ture to secure Mills’ future.

Association of Mills College (AAMC).

Please help us to restore Mills’ soul

The Benicia Old Timers Committee had

and mission: a private liberal arts under-

erected the plaque in the park in 1937, but

graduate women’s college for women and

Mills was unaware of it.

gender nonbinary students, with gradu-

Doris worked with the AAMC, the

ate programs for students of all genders.

Benicia Parlor of the Native Sons of the

Please help us stop the sale of Mills

Golden West, and various state commis-

College to Northeastern University.

sions to create a new historical marker

As Dean Hettie Belle Ege used to say,

that incorporated the original. State

“Remember who you are—and what you

The Quarterly reserves the right

funds paid for the new bronze plaque,

represent.”

to edit letters for length and clarity.

with words composed by Mrs. O’Brien

Oakland, CA 94613

of the AAMC. (Aurelia Henry Reinhart wrote the text of the original plaque.)

2

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

—Kathleen Roskos ’80, Los Altos, California