BRYN MAWR CLUB OF
SPRING 2005 NEWSLETTER
From the Club President
By Mary Kopczynski (’90)
Spring is in the air! This means not only are the cherry blossoms blooming around the Tidal Basin, but also that in a few weeks we will prepare and deliver May Baskets to several among our membership, and that our Annual Meeting and picnic (with strawberries) will take place in Bethesda’s Westmoreland Park on May 21st.
As this will be the last newsletter until September, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank a few people. First I wish to thank Ann Logan (’76) for serving this year as Vice President. Ann was asked to continue on for a second three-year term as chair of the Annual Fund for the College, which understandably commands a lot of time and attention. We will miss her warmth and wit at our board meetings, but hopefully not at future club events. Thanks also to Beth Strausser (’91) for cheerfully agreeing to serve as our VP for the coming year. And a huge thanks to Dena Bauman (’83) and the entire Nominating Committee for their thoughtful and persuasive efforts to prepare a wonderful and talented slate of officers for 2005-07. Finally, thank you to the following out-going board members for their service to the club: Treasurer Hannah Kamenetsky (‘85), Secretary Ariel Kernis (’91), Membership Chair Barbara Matthews (‘76), and Webmistress Julie Sugarman (’97).
There are so many Board and Club members (too many to name here) who have been generous to me--in offering guidance and advice-- and to the Club--in planning and executing a wide range of programs and new directions for this past year. They have served as hostesses, participants, speakers, tour leaders and accomplished all of the day-to-day and behind-the-scenes work it takes to make Club events a reality. Thank you one and all!
Nominating Committee’s Proposed Slate of Officers
for the 2005-2007 Term
By Dena Bauman (‘83)
Each year at the Annual Meeting, new Club officers are voted on by the membership. Our bylaws require that the slate of officers be publicized to the membership at least three weeks before the Annual Meeting. The following individuals have graciously agreed to serve on the Board. We hope to see you at the Annual Meeting to vote in these new officers!
Treasurer:
Katherine Williamson (‘77)
Katherine,
a CPA, served on the College’s Audit Committee of the Alumnae Association
for three years and as the Committee’s Treasurer for three years. She has
been the Treasurer of the
Secretary:
Kasia O’Neill
Kasia
worked at the Congressional Budget Office for two years before receiving a
Masters in Public Policy from the
Membership:
Joanne Elegant Brainard (‘56)
Joanne
lived in Europe for more than 20 years, teaching English in
Co-Communications
Chair (Webmistress):
One-Year
Appointment: Jenny Krivanek (‘75)
Jenny
moved to the DC area from
Program
Co-Chair:
One-Year
Appointment: Ashley Doherty (‘71)
Ashley
is a lawyer (NYU School of Law ’75) who works in the Corporate Litigation
Unit of the FDIC. When not defending (or suing on behalf of) that agency, she
works with the BMC Club of Washington’s board; she has previously served
as Treasurer and a member of the Nominating Committee; with
Nominating
Committee (Term is 2005-2006)
Elaine
Greenstone (MA’51)
Elaine
has served the Club in many capacities, including a stint as president. She
retired last year from the
Mike
Niccolls (‘39)
Mike
is one of the founding members of the Bryn Mawr Club. Among her many activities
for the Club, she has been the Career Network representative for the College.
Lori
Perine (‘80)
Lori
is the Executive Director of Agenda 2020 at the Forest Products Industry
Technology Alliance. She majored in mathematics at Bryn Mawr and is interested
in classical music, spirituality and social action, and entrepreneurship. She
currently lives in
Sarah
Kwon (‘04)
Sarah,
who majored in Sociology, is a research assistant at the Medicare Payment
Commission. She lives in
Roz
Cohen (‘62)
Roz
lives in
UPCOMING
CLUB EVENTS
Annual
Meeting and Club Picnic -- Saturday, May 21 (12:00 – 3:00)
The
Bryn Mawr Club of
Directions
from MD/VA: From the Beltway, exit at River Rd and head
east toward DC. After about 4 miles, you will see a Whole Foods on the left and
McDonald’s on the right. Take a right at the first light after McDonald’s
onto Little Falls Parkway. Turn left at the first light onto Massachusetts Ave.
Turn right at the first light onto Falmouth Rd (street sign reads
Directions
from DC: Follow
An Inside Look at Private School Admission -- June 2, 2005 (7:00
PM)
By Susan A. Messina ('86, MSS'90, MLSP'91)
Jennifer Danish (’90), Director
of Admission and Financial Aid at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School,
will share her perspective on the private school admissions process and provide
advice on how to retain your sanity while seeking a good educational match for
your child. The event will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 7 PM at St.
Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW, Washington
DC. Meet at the front door. (On a related note, The Washingtonian’s website
has an interesting article on private schools: http://www.washingtonian.com/schools/private/2004/schools04.html
RSVP to Susan Messina (’86) by May 27.
Directions: St. Patrick's is located
northwest of
From DC or MD: Go west on
Nebraska Ave to the intersection with Foxhall Road. Turn left onto Foxhall Rd
and go approximately 1 mile to Whitehaven Parkway (the first right turn past
From VA: Cross Chain Bridge and bear
right toward DC. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Arizona Rd. At the
first traffic light at the top of the hill, turn right on MacArthur Blvd. Just
past the third traffic light (Our Lady of Victory is on the left), turn left
onto Whitehaven Parkway. St. Patrick's is the last building on the right.
Junior Club: Hillwood Estate Tour and Tea, Saturday, June 18
(11:00 AM)
By Amy Chanlongbutra (’99)
Did you know that in the heart of DC is an estate housing Russian
imperial and French decorative arts surrounded by 25 acres of French, English,
and Japanese-style gardens? The Hillwood Estate, one of the premier house
museums in the
Join the Bryn Mawr Junior Club on a tour of the estate and gardens
on June 25, 2005. We will meet at
the
Directions from DC:
Book
Club Upcoming Features
By
Judy Catlin (‘55)
Vacation
time is almost here, and what is more important than to have a good book to
enjoy on the beach, in the mountains, on your jet to
Coffee,
cookies and conversation start at 7:30, followed by the discussion at 8:00 PM.
Please call Judy to confirm the schedule.
April
19: The Kite Runner by
Khaled Hosseini.
A
moving portrait of modern Afghanistan. Isabel Allende says, “This is one
of those unforgettable stories that stay with you for years. All the great
themes of literature and of life are the fabric of this extraordinary novel--love,
honor, guilt, fear, redemption.” Led by Anne
Mayfield (’46).
May
17: The Piano Tuner by
Daniel Mason.
In
1886 a shy, middle-aged piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual
commission from the British War Office to travel to the remote jungles of
northeast
June
21: The Vagina Monologues by
Eve Ensler.
The
theatrical production of The Vagina Monologues caused a sensation when it
opened in 1998. With humor and wit, Ensler makes a very private topic public.
Join us to discuss how the play has sparked new dialogues about women's lives.
Led by Dena Bodian ('02).
July
19: The Charterhouse of
This
exciting new translation of Stendhal's tale has caused a rediscovery of this
classic by modern readers. The tale of a young aristocrat's adventures in
Napoleon's army and the court of Parma, the novel illuminates the whole cloth
of European history. Led by Laura Symcak (MA'93).
August
16: The House in
The
celebrated Anglo-Irish writer sets this psychologically complex novel in a 24
hour period in
September
13: Crescent by
Diana Abu-Jaber
A
book that intertwines the pleasure of food and cooking with the unfolding of an
increasingly romantic relationship of an Arab-American with an Iraqi exile. Led
by Juliana Franz (‘41).
October
18: Maus: A Survivor's Tale (Parts I and II:
My Father Bleeds History/Here My Troubles Began) by
Art Spiegelman.
This
1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning illustrated narrative is the story of a comic book
artist and his father, a Holocaust survivor. Arlie learns the full story of his
father's past, and we witness their difficult relationship. There is also an
interesting "book within the book" motif, since Arlie is writing the
book that we are reading. Led by Julie Gurganus ('91).
May Basket Delivery – April 30th
By Cathya Stephenson (’59)
Club members will deliver May baskets to 20 alumnae in the classes
of 1929--1941 on Saturday, April 30. To make the baskets, we need flowers
(azaleas are best), baskets (not large), and volunteers for flower arranging
and delivering (in pairs) to two or three alumnae each. This is a lovely way to
show appreciation to our most senior alumnae, who look forward to welcoming our
annual visitors.
Cathya Stephenson (‘59) will
coordinate this special event for the 8th year from her home.
Ivy Singles Social Club -- Events May 4th, May 20th and June 17th
By Debby Prigal (’81)
The Ivy Singles Social Club continues to thrive. Over 200 people
packed the Washington Club in January for the U of Chicago event, and a good
crowd turned out for our first evening of jazz in February hostessed by
There may still be space at the Spy Museum on Wednesday, May 4th at 6pm. Explore the world’s
largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display.
RSVP to yale@ivysinglesdc.com.
Upcoming events include happy hour at the Mansion at O Street on
Friday May 20th from
6:30--8:30. Come see one of
In June, Bryn Mawr will again sponsor a “double event”
on Friday, June 17th with
cocktails and a nosh at the Georgetown Club from 6:30--8:30. For
“dessert”, walk around the corner to the Lantern Bookstore and browse
the treasures from 8:30--10:30 pm. Every year, this is one of our best-attended
events with people mingling well into the night! $25 by check payable to
“The Bryn Mawr Club of Washington, DC”. Send to Debby Prigal by
June 13th. $30 for email or phone
reservations.
The Ivy Singles Social Club is a coalition of Ivy League, Seven
Sister and other prestigious schools’ regional alumni associations that
sponsors social activities. Events are open to all single alumnae/i of member
schools. Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s or 50s. For details, see the
website (www.ivysinglesdc.com) or contact Debby Prigal.
JOIN THE NEW DC CLUB LIST SERV!
By Julie Sugarman ('97)
The Club has started a list-serv for area alumnae/i, and we want you to join! For the moment, the list is
on trial-run and is limited to Club members. We hope that it will be used to
chat about important ideas, promote any events with which alumnae/i are
involved, solicit help or advice, and generally get to know each other better.
To join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bmcwashdc
and click "Join This Group!" In the
“Comments” section, please include your full name, address, and BMC
year so that we can verify your request. Happy chatting!
NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE
By Wendy Greenfield, Executive Director, Alumnae Association
On May 1, Hallmark television will air a movie based on Bryn Mawr
alumna and faculty member, Rachel Simon ('81)’s poignant book Riding
the Bus with My Sister. Although Rachel's Bryn Mawr
affiliation is not mentioned in the movie, it is a great opportunity for us to
celebrate the Bryn Mawr spirit by watching it on May Day (and this year is a
Grand May Day). The movie will air on CBS in the evening—check your local
listing for exact time. For more information about the movie and book, visit
http://www.rachelsimon.com.
UPDATES ON PAST ACTIVITIES
February Luncheon at the Cosmos Club
Robin Meigel ('76)
Our winter luncheon this year featured Alice Rivlin (’52) as speaker. Over
60 people attend-ed the event at the Cosmos Club, where we continued our
tradition of considering the serious issues of the day.
Lest you think that this former Director of OMB in the Clinton
administration, Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, and founding
director of the Congressional Budget Office has become a Republican, it is not
so. If faced with the choice of whether to restructure Social Security to a
mandated paid-in-advance pension system or maintain it substantially as a
transfer program, she prefers the social insurance structure. Rivlin opined
that the best time to actually restructure, as opposed to make adjustments
within the existing framework, would have been when we had a budget surplus.
She approves of addressing the need for changes in all programs faced with
in-solvency sooner rather than later.
Alice Rivlin is currently a Senior Fellow,
Economic Studies and Director of the Greater Washington Research Program, at
the Brookings Institution. Her recently released book, Restoring Fiscal Sanity: How to Balance the Budget is available from the Brookings bookstore or can be downloaded
from the Brookings website: www.brookings.edu.
By Ann Logan (’76)
On Saturday, March 19, Union Station was the gathering place for
about 270 alumnae/i and friends as they celebrated Bryn Mawr and cheered the
progress of the Challenging Women campaign. The evening began with cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres in the Columbus Club—once the Station’s
“fancy soda fountain.” A wonderful dinner followed in the elegant
East Hall. President Nancy J. Vickers led a group of faculty, staff, and
students from the College. Area alumnae/i were also joined by Campaign chair,
Ruth Kaiser Nelson (’58) and co-chair Denise Lee Hurley (’82). Our
own Caroline Willis (’66) and Ann
Logan (’76) led an honorary committee of 34 that helped
organize the event. Alumnae represented classes ranging from 1939 to 2008.
The highlight of the evening was a wonderful performance by Bryn
Mawr’s a capella singing group, The Night Owls. Prior to the dinner, members of the
Slade Society gathered at the Library of Congress for a tour given by James
Billington, the Librarian of Congress. Earlier in the week a number of area
professional alumnae involved in the law or government gathered to explore the
development of a Bryn Mawr lawyers/government professional affinity group here
in DC.
The Campaign was launched in October 2002, and as of February 28
we have raised $154 million. The goal is a minimum of $225 million by the end
of May 2007--we’re two-thirds of the way there! The funds raised support the
College’s strategic Plan for the
New Century and will be used for many important
purposes: financial aid, faculty support, student life, building renovations,
and curricular innovation. Some of the projects called for in the Plan are already underway. For example,
Dalton Hall is under construction and will become the home for the social
sciences, The Center for Ethnicities, Communities and Social Policy, and the
Center for International Studies. It will also provide flexible computer and
multimedia teaching rooms for use by the entire campus.
For an update on the Campaign or to make a contribution, go to www.brynmawr.edu/giving.
Social Work Alums Gather
By Susan A. Messina ('86, MSS'90, MLSP'91)
A few hours prior to the glittering gala Campaign dinner on
Saturday March 19th, a small group of alumnae/i of the Graduate School of
Social Work and Social Research gathered at the National Association of Social
Work, conveniently located a block from Union Station. The school's co-deans,
Marcia Martin and Raymond Albert, Director of Admissions Nancy Kirby, and
Development Director Doug Hasbrouk were on hand to provide updated information
about the School. As was proven two years ago during the first social work
event, alumnae/i enjoy the opportunity to network with each other and to
compare notes about the wide range of work social workers from Bryn Mawr do in
this town. A wonderful time was had by all.
General Member News
Please send your news about members to Susan Flinn. Like the College, we
don’t report pregnancies or engagements.
It is with great sadness that we report the deaths of several area
alumnae.
Gayle Furtney (‘76): Ashley Doherty (’71)
writes: “The Spring issue of the Alumnae Bulletin contained moving
tributes about a good friend Gayle was, and she was also a wonderful colleague.
I met Gayle at the FDIC, not in person but on paper, through a memo she had
written. When I finished reading it, I said, “This woman can write.” When it was my turn to hire
at the FDIC’s Legal Division, I tracked Gayle down and offered her a job.
For more than 10 years we worked together and traded mystery novels. Her
colleagues miss her very much and send our condolences to her husband, Thomas
Satterwhite.
Nancy Ellicott Madeira (‘42): Clarissa Moore (’43)
writes: Volunteers at the Lantern are mourning the death of former director of
the Lantern, who passed away in February. A handsome portrait of
Anne
Dean Truitt ('42) passed away in December, 2004. For more than
40 years a major artist, Truitt was best known for her sculptures. She was
featured in 17 exhibitions since 2000 at museums including the Corcoran and the
Hirshhorn Galleries. Her work is on display at MOMA and in the permanent
collections of the National Gallery of Art and the Whitney. The Post
called her, “One of the outstanding artists to have worked in
Clare
Marx ('60) passed away on 10/16/2004.
Virginia
Thomas Andrews ('56) passed away on 12/27/2004. She was the
former Chair of the Junior League Docents’ at the National Gallery of Art
and involved in many other activities.
News
from The Lantern Bookshop
By
Libbo Williams (’47)
We
did well on our half-price sale over Presidents’ Day weekend; most
importantly, it cleared space on our crowded shelves for new arrivals. We dare
to hope that many Club members came and bought hugely. If not, your conscience
should propel you in our direction--and soon! We are pleased that Debby
Prigal has asked us to reserve the Lantern for June’s Ivy Singles (see
related article). Any passers-by should feel free to come in and join the fun.
Club
Activities Calendar: April—August, 2005
(Major events marked
in bold)
APRIL 2005
Newsletter
mailed to members
19:
Book Club: The Kite Runner
30:
May Basket Preparation & Delivery
MAY 2005
1: Riding
the Bus with My Sister airs
4:
Ivy Singles:
17:
Book Club: The Piano Tuner
20:
Ivy Singles: Mansion on O Street
21: Annual Meeting and Picnic (RSVP
by 5/6/05)
JUNE 2005
Old-New
Board Meeting
2:
Inside Look at Private Schools (RSVP by 5/27/05)
19:
Book Club: The Vagina Monologues
17:
Ivy Singles:
25:
Junior Activity: Hillwood Tour (RSVP by 6/1/05)
JULY 2005
19:
Book Club: The Charterhouse of
AUGUST 2005
16:
Book Club: The House in