Greetings Hartford College for Women Alumnae,
Welcome to the second edition of the Hartford College for Women newsletter. This is our space to share memories of our time in Hartford and what we have been up to since graduation. My memories include moving into the brand-new townhouse dorms the first year they opened on campus, marching around the living room in Butterworth Hall, acting as witches in Truda Kaschmann’s modern dance class, playing the role of a sultry singer in Peter Harvey’s spring production, and joining a bunch of classmates in an impromptu exercise session in front of Butterworth Hall led by classmate Nancy Anderson.
Many years later, I am now sponsoring a student in the LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program, which is a continuing legacy of our beloved Hartford College for Women. It is a joy to watch tentative, unsure young women just out of high school develop into confident seniors who are poised, capable, and ready to tackle the world. This is a path that many of us started on as students at Hartford College for Women. Today, it is gratifying to see The Women’s Advancement Initiative continuing to support women students, faculty, and staff the way they were supported at our school.
In this issue, you will see reflections of the past, discover what is happening now, and get a glimpse at a vision for the future. Please do stay in touch! Let us know what is happening in your life and how Hartford College for Women impacted you. Our school was small and we attended for only two academic years, but it was meaningful and is worth celebrating.
My best to you,
Joan Pritchard ’74 (HCW) | LEAD Student Sponsor
The Classes of 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, and 2003–04 celebrated a Milestone Reunion in October. Special thanks to the Milestone Reunion Planning Committee:
Judy Hall Kane ’64
Ina Lee Selden ’64
Laura Hollister ’74
Joan Pritchard ’74
Gretchen Levitz ’84
Kim Barberi ’99, ’02
Melissa Karcz ’03
Teresa Pappagallo ’03
Deb Simpson ’03
Reunited
At the reunion, attendees were asked what advice they would give to their younger self.
“Have great confidence in yourself. You will succeed because you are your best friend.”
Linda Peterson ’74 (HCW)
“Make sure you say yes to all of the opportunities that present themselves.”
Sandra Falcetta ’02 (HCW)
“The world is your oyster. Don’t be afraid to accept all new challenges.”
Jamize Barlow Pettiford ’03-’04 (HCW)
Alumna Spotlight
Jane Claflin Tamaccio ’68 (HCW)
Generations of Strong Women
As Jane Claflin Tamaccio ’68 (HCW) sits next to her granddaughter, Christina Stone ’24 (LEAD), at a coffee shop in Manchester, Connecticut, she reflects on her family legacy of tradition, support, and love. Her face beams with pride as she watches Christina walk in her footsteps by participating in today’s LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program that empowers women.
Jane had applied to Skidmore College but with two older siblings already pursuing degrees, Hartford College for Women was a more affordable option and closer to her childhood home in West Hartford, Connecticut, where she helped care for her younger siblings. Her father was a chiropractor and her mother was a home economics teacher. She knew earning her college degree would make them proud.
“I still remember playing bridge in Butterworth Hall, spending time in the library, and learning from the exceptional professors we had from Wesleyan, Trinity, Smith, and Mount Holyoke,” Jane recalls.
The campus holds many memories for Jane. Singing in the choir was a highlight of her college experience. During her history of music class, Professor Chaloner Spencer played records for the students. At the end of the semester, he
would play a record and lift the arm off the record, asking Jane and her classmates to identify the composer and music as part of the final exam. In 1968, just two days after graduating from Hartford College for Women, Jane got married on campus.
“My parents always instilled in me the importance of education, especially as a means for women to prepare themselves for the working world and to be selfsupportive,” Jane says.
She went on to earn a fine arts degree with a concentration in elementary education from Russell Sage College. Then, she returned to her West Hartford roots and taught at Beach Park Elementary School—the very same place where she attended kindergarten. Her life’s journey is varied, including teaching, being a stay-at-home mom to three children, working in an administrative role at The Hartford, and serving as the office manager for her husband’s architecture business. As a retiree, her most prized role is experiencing the love of family and being affectionately known as “grandmom” to her eight grandchildren.
Christina, the second oldest grandchild and avid soccer player and coach, represents generations of empowered women in Jane’s family. Joan Tamaccio, Jane’s sister-in-law, attended Hartford College for Women in the 1950s. Christina participated in LEAD, a signature program of The Women’s Advancement Initiative. The organization is the enduring legacy of Hartford College for Women. Its LEAD program was inspired by the way students at the College were challenged and supported.
“LEAD gives women a space to be their authentic selves while being empowered,” Christina shares.
“Hartford College for Women was a sisterhood that prepared its students for the world and also fostered a community of support. LEAD continues that spirit of learning, leadership, and career readiness while also providing a welcoming environment that uplifts women. LEAD has given me more confidence, helped me improve my networking and interviewing skills, increased my leadership ability on and off the soccer field, and inspired me to motivate others,” she adds.
“Hartford College for Women was a sisterhood that prepared its students for the world.”
Jane is appreciative that the legacy of Hartford College for Women continues with The Women’s Advancement Initiative at the University of Hartford and through programs like LEAD. She has witnessed Christina flourish into a remarkable woman who has the ability to lead, love, and embrace all challenges and opportunities that come her way.
“I admire Christina’s drive, intelligence, humility, and willingness to always lend a helping hand,” Jane remarks.
“My grandmom is a constant source of encouragement,” Christina says. “She is driven, generous, creative, and a problemsolver. But what I admire the most is that she instilled good values in us and keeps traditions alive for my generation and for the future generations of strong women in our family.”
Reflections
Kathryn “Kate” Johnson Berg ’68 (HCW)
Our two years at Hartford College were a unique experience somewhat akin to a charter school. There was some of the usual structure of a college but with a twist. We were a small, limited number of students who commuted daily to a beautiful, hidden campus where we enjoyed professors and faculty from the larger, more “worldly” colleges around us. No Internet, no cell phones, papers done on typewriters, real books found by looking in a card catalog, and wearing skirts on campus. Not today’s world, but still a good place to take some first steps toward becoming an adult. Definitely unique by today’s standards, but truly a great experience.
Looking at pictures, I began to reminisce, thinking of familiar sights, events, and even smells from our days at Hartford College for Women. I remember the big front door to Butterworth Hall. The tall trees around the driveway. I tried to remember the classes I took. The choice was limited because we had definite requirements to graduate, giving us a head start on fulfilling the basic requirements for the fouryear degree we were expected to tackle next. English classes with
Mr. Butterworth and Mr. Scanlon. I would love to take those courses again. In hindsight, and thinking about my limited life experiences through high school, I know that if I had gone directly to a bigger college or university, the late 60s culture and issues would have swallowed me up. Starting at Hartford College gave me a surer footing both academically and personally to venture out into the world.
I went on to get my four-year degree from the University of Michigan. Yes, distinctly larger than Hartford College for Women! I stayed a few years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but I eventually ended up living and teaching on Cape Cod. I married and raised a family here while working, earned my master’s degree, and finally retired after spending more than 40 years in the field of education.
Upcoming Events
Fall 2025
Saturday, September 27, 2025
The Classes of 1965, 1975, 1985, and 1995 will celebrate their reunion.
Event details coming soon.
Stay Connected
Call 860.768.5961 or email womenadv@hartford.edu to update your contact information or to share your Hartford College for Women memories.
To learn more or to support the legacy of the Hartford College for Women, visit hartford.edu/womensadvancement or join the Hartford College for Women Facebook page.
Photos courtesy of: Hannah Dhom ’25 University of Hartford Archives and Special Collections