In May 1973, the first four-year class of women students walked across the Commencement stage at Franklin & Marshall College—creating an enduring legacy and strengthening the College, thanks to coeducation.

That day, Judy White ’73 became the first woman to earn the Williamson Medal, the College’s most prestigious award for student achievement. In the decades since that historic moment, 22 additional women have followed in White’s footsteps and earned the Williamson, including the past 10 consecutive recipients.

F&M women have become an increasingly visible and distinguished percentage of the College’s student body, faculty and alumni community. Their careers have taken them to the top of the fields of medicine, science, finance and numerous other endeavors. They are shaping the future of the College by becoming philanthropic leaders.

And they all have a shared connection: a passion for the liberal arts education at F&M.

“There are so many cool, thoughtful F&M women who are doing amazing things,” said Kathy Quick Rosa ’92, P’25. “We’ve all got this common thread that is F&M, and we’re all individually strong. We can tap into something really special by weaving together those connections.”

The connections are growing through a landmark initiative, “F&M Women & Philanthropy: 50 for 50,” which is co-chaired by Rosa and Kathy Hay Stine ’85. They’ve worked with College leadership to connect with women, including alumnae, parents, faculty, professional staff and friends of the College, who can make an impact at F&M through their philanthropy and their engagement—and uncovered countless stories of F&M women who can point to influential women in their own lives who served as mentors, role models or inspirations that made their own F&M journeys possible.

Kathy Quick Rosa ’92, P’25 and Kathy Hay Stine ’85

The initial goal is to reach 50 commitments of at least $50,000 from individual women to the Franklin & Marshall Fund. The campaign’s launch coincided with the 50th reunion of the Class of 1973. Two members of that class, Sue Washburn ’73 and Susan Kline Klehr ’73, P’12, serve as honorary chairs for the initiative.

“F&M women are leaders—they always have been, and they always will be,” Stine said. “The opportunity to co-chair this initiative has enabled me to connect with alumnae from earlier and later classes, and others in the F&M community, who I would otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet. Their stories have uncovered the unique impact that female professors, speakers, and classmates have brought to the College.”

“The donors giving to ‘50 for 50’ are inspiring others to be leaders in philanthropy, and to forge the future of F&M,” said President Barbara K. Altmann, who is supporting the project with her own gift. “We are excited to identify the next generation of volunteer leaders, and to raise the philanthropic sights of the women of F&M.”

Below, some of the champions of “50 for 50” share their stories.

Judy White ’73

Gift in honor of Sue Washburn ’73, Shary Stamm, Ph.D., ’73 and JoAnn Kahn ’73, P’17, and in memory of late classmate, Marcy (Vought) Fulweiler ’73. Also, in memory of late Professor Ruth Van Horn.

I grew up in Philadelphia in a close-knit family, and my parents didn’t want me to go far away to college. A guidance counselor told me F&M was strong in the sciences, and that they were going to admit women. It was such a bonding experience to be part of the first class of women at F&M. We faced similar challenges, but we were all quite different. My roommates and I stay in touch and go back to reunions, largely to see each other. We also catch up on Zoom a couple times per year.

Ruth Van Horn was a role model to me. She was the only woman on the chemistry faculty. She was wonderful, sweet and vigorous. She taught me to do science at a high level. She always stood on a pedestal.

When I heard about 50 for 50, I thought, “Wow.” I’d been thinking with friends to do something to honor the 50th reunion. It is also special for the 50th anniversary class of women. It was the right time, and the right cause.

Annalai Rivers ’03

Gift in honor of retired Dean Alice Drum

“I had a wonderful time at F&M. From the classes to extracurriculars, working in the Office of Admission and at the Alice Drum Women’s Center, my experiences helped shape me. I made the best friends while at F&M. These women are confident and courageous and generous. They have supported me throughout the years, and we still talk every day. The academic rigor ensured I was well prepared for law school. The critical thinking, processing and writing helped me to be confident in transitioning careers.

“My husband (Ricardo ’93) and I met at an alumni event in New York City. He served on the Alumni Board and is currently a Trustee. We love being able to bring our daughters back to campus for various events, and enjoy attending some of the local alumni events. 

“Dean Drum was one of the most influential women at F&M while I was there. She taught us to ask questions, to be curious, to not accept the status quo, and to support one another. She had high expectations for us but was unwavering in her encouragement. When the opportunity presented itself to honor someone with this gift, Dean Drum was the first person I thought of.”

Margery Brittain ’76

Gift in honor of Emerita Professor Angela Jeannet

“My F&M education gave me a strong foundation for a fulfilling career in business—although I didn’t take any business courses—by instilling the ability to think strategically, to see connections between the whole and the parts, to foster curiosity and seek diverse perspectives, and to confidently form personal points of view on complex issues. Beyond the professional realm, my F&M experiences and relationships continue to enrich my life in ways I deeply value.

“At the time this initiative was presented to me, I was involved in professional discussions regarding the changing roles and opportunities for women as corporate leaders over the last 40 years. Those reflections, plus insights from the remarkable Class of 1973 women I’ve been privileged to get to know, added a personal dimension to the already compelling research behind the campaign.

“I left campus after the first semester of my senior year for financial reasons. Fortunately, I quickly found ‘a job’ but I had no professional clarity of purpose. With no prompting from me, Angela Jeannet (then chair of the Department of French and Italian) proactively kept in touch, passing along creative employment ideas and thought-provoking opportunities. Her personal, patient and provocative outreach to me meant so much at the time, and is a hallmark of F&M’s value to its students then and now. Angela was also influential in developing the College’s approach to women’s and gender studies, among her many contributions to the College, so she was a natural choice for inclusion in the 50 for 50 honorees.”

Lisa Portnoy ’83

Gift in honor and memory of family

“F&M provided me with an excellent foundation for my career in accounting. It really taught me how to think. I’ve always been a big supporter of the liberal arts because of that. F&M teaches you how to think, not only how to do. Those F&M years were great years, and I look back on it quite fondly.

“I created an endowment for Hillel, Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow. Then this opportunity for “50 for 50” came along, and it’s always been important to me to give back to F&M. It’s in my estate plan as well. This is a nice way to recognize the integration of women into the College’s history, and to participate with women.

“I’m honoring my grandmothers with this gift. Both were involved in my communities. One was an immigrant, and the other a first-generation homemaker. I’ve always attributed my lifelong passion for community engagement and service to them. That’s just who they were. They taught me the importance of being engaged and serving others.”

Doreen ’78 and Shanni ’14 Davidowitz

Gift in honor of family

“Our experiences were similar in that we both started our time at F&M on the second floor of Buchanan, where we began to make lifelong friendships. Additionally, we both always talk about how supportive, dedicated, and passionate the professors at F&M were in both of our experiences.

“We feel strongly that it’s important to give back and support the institutions that helped shape our lives and gave us such a strong foundation. We would not be where we are today if not for the education we got and the connections we made at F&M. We want to make sure that other young adults have that same opportunity. This initiative honors the women who forged the way to make sure that women had the same educational opportunities that previously only men had. We are both thankful to those women, and want to honor them.

“We are honoring my mother [Shanni’s grandmother], Rochelle Etingin. She was a huge influence and inspiration for both of us. She was a strong, determined woman who believed deeply in the importance of education for both men and women. She also knew the importance of philanthropy, and gave generously to charities that helped others succeed. We are proud to have a scholarship named in her honor.”

To learn more about F&M Women & Philanthropy: 50 for 50 — including how you can contribute to this historic initiative — visit fandm.edu/giving/50-for-50.

F&M Women & Philanthropy: 50 for 50

F&M Women & Philanthropy: 50 for 50 is a tribute to the legacy of alumni who identify as women and is an endorsement of their role in F&M’s future.

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