While at Simmons, students in the Class of 1973 witnessed seismic cultural change and political upheaval. They saw on-campus protests of the Vietnam War, and the passing of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court. Gloria Steinem delivered their Commencement Address, in which she championed "a deep and anthropological revolt against caste of sex or race; against all of those systems which divide us up, which determine human futures based on the way we look whether that difference is race or sex." After graduation, these Simmons women carved pathways through a variety of professions, suffering misogyny and misunderstanding along the way.
This is the Class of 1973.
Eighty members of this indomitable class of women returned to the Simmons campus on June 3-5, 2023 for their 50th college reunion. "I'm not surprised at the turnout," remarked Reunion Volunteer Lesley Levine, "our class always shows up! They're fantastic." The program began on Friday with a picnic lunch, campus tour, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum tour, and a welcome reception. On Saturday morning, the group re-convened for a coffee hour and presentation from Simmons University President Lynn Wooten.
"I feel like a member of the Class of '73," Wooten said, "because the women of this era shaped me. I am, because you are...Simmons is magical, because it produces women like you–extraordinary everyday leaders."
Wooten and the alumnae/i engaged in a lively Q&A, touching on online and hybrid programs, the benefits of a women-centered university — one of the few left in the country — tuition costs, the diversity of faculty at Simmons, study abroad opportunities, and how Simmons is preparing for the Supreme Court's ruling on Affirmative Action. Alumnae shared concerns about the impending cultural shift with the closing of the residence campus and building of the new Living and Learning Center, and how the memories and culture of the current campus will be transported to the new, with the help of the students' work on the Simmons Memory Project.
Classmates Adunni Slackman Anderson and Claudia Oppenheim Cameron offered an opportunity for alumnae to share their life experiences, noting that all paths were welcome and relevant. Those stories spanned the breadth of human experience: from graduates who entered law, medicine, finances, often the only woman in these male-dominated fields, and paving the way for the women who would follow them, to mid-life career changes and new opportunities. They told stories of illness, loss, and divorce, of raising children and pursuing professional careers.
Classmate Mary Dowling Marino recalled that, early in her career as a CPA, she was eager to please and work harder than any of her male counterparts. "Eventually, I realized that instead of trying to blend in, I would be the person who the younger person in this firm would look up to," said Marino, noting that her instinct to take care of other women started while she was at Simmons.
Reunion Steering Committee member Ruth Estrich, whose last professional role was as the Chief Strategy Officer of a billion dollar company, recalled often wondering, as a young, female professional, "Can we have it all?" "We could, but not all at the same time," she said. "I made choices, all the time, between my child and my career." Estrich remembered wise words from a class with Professor Bob White (who was also in attendance at this reunion): "Anything worth doing is worth doing beautifully," which she thought of during challenging times in her life. "There's often nothing you can do about the circumstances of your life," she said, "but you have complete control over how you handle those circumstances."
Reunion Steering Committee member Deborah Lerner Duane was overwhelmed by the stories shared. "Over the last fifty years we managed to carve places for ourselves as parents, professionals and friends," said Duane. "Each story we heard this morning revealed courage and strength. What an incredible group!" Another Steering Committee member, Adunni Anderson, praised the women for their candor. "Everyone has a story, and these women shared their stories with gratitude, grace, and empowerment." Steering Committee member Claudia Oppenheim Cameron saw the Reunion as an opening: "These lessons are so powerful," said Cameron. "Women need to keep talking to each other about their journey."
In addition to a celebratory lunch, featuring presentations by VP of Advancement Beth Kramer, Provost Russ Pinizzotto, and VP of Student Affairs Renique Kersh, alumnae were invited on student-led tours of the campus, and had time to visit local museums. On Saturday, Gerri Williams presented a rough-cut of her documentary, Duluth for Mandela: A Northland Celebration, about the centenary celebration in Duluth, Minnesota for Nelson Mandela. Saturday included a Reunion Class Dinner, and the weekend wrapped up with breakfast on Sunday.
Reunion Steering Committee member and Class Liaison Linda Siperstein Adler noted that she was "gratified by the extraordinary turnout, the effort so many made to attend, and the success of the events. The reunion exceeded the committee's expectations!"
Steering Committee member and Trustee Emerita Lauren Brisky encouraged her classmates to support Simmons with a gift in celebration of their 50th Reunion. Led by Brisky, over 77 gifts have been made so far, totaling $152,973, to establish the Class of 1973 Endowed Scholarship. An additional 16 gifts, totaling over $190,000 for other scholarships and purposes, were also received, for a total of nearly $350,000 donated in fiscal year 2023 by the Class of 1973.
"The world needs Simmons right now, more than ever," said Brisky. "Our young people need a safe space where they can grow, find their voice, tap into their lifelong passion, and develop their leadership skills. Simmons alumnae can be a vital part of that."
If you have any interest in contributing to 50th Reunion Weekend, or in any way to our collections, please contact Simmons University Archives.