HERAA Newsletter

Harriet E. Richards Alumnae Association

Alumnae look on as a BU a capella group performs; Alumnae Tea 2008

Volume 12, Issue 1

Fall/Winter 2008

Letter from the HERAA President

On behalf of the HERAA Board, our warmest greetings to all alumnae! This year is the 80 anniversary of HERs founding by Dean Franklin, who, inspired by cooperatives in France, saw this mode of living as an opportunity for women to receive a college education despite limited finances. It was then, as it is now, a time of economic recession. Despite the hard times, students entered HER and were able to complete their studies. Hearing your stories and knowing our own, HER provided more than a less expensive place to live. Beyond the financial advantages, we learned to cooperate with others in running a large household. Studying, having fun at our social events, hanging out in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning together often resulted in long-term friendships. The warmth of relationships is evident at our annual meetings as alums reminisce, visit familiar parts of the House and chat with current residents while enjoying delicious foods at the annual Teas. At Aprils 80th Anniversary celebration, we had alums from as near as Connecticut and as far as Colorado. We distributed the latest edition of the Red Book, a compilation of the returned questionnaires we sent to you last fall. All alums also received an 80th Anniversary Tote Bag with logo designed by alumna Rebecca Martin and then House Vice President Melissa Carr. We have more tote bags and will send one to you with a donation of $25 or more above your dues of $25. A special treat was songs by a BU a capella group and a slide show that included residents from the 40's to the present at various parties or in poses that brought great laughter when we recognized someone. The formal meeting involved reports from HERAA and HER officers, awards to students, induction of new graduates to the Alumnae Association and election of HERAA officers. We have a very nice, creative and hardworking group on the Board this year. Zomana Majid is Vice President and an expert in website development, working now to give HER's website a new look. Stephanie Frana, Treasurer, is compiling financial records from past years and handles all the checks that you send us. I continue as co-treasurer and pay the bills. Rebecca Martin, Database Secretary, creates the Newsletter and maintains all alumnae contact information. Rachel Fletcher, Corresponding Secretary, will send thanks for your tax-free dues and donations. An important issue raised at the Annual Meeting was the "rule" that students have to spend at least one semester in a regular BU dormitory before they can apply for the HER House. We feel this is not a fair or good idea for women who have to pay higher rates on housing before they can live more economically at HER. This policy was made only a few years ago. I have raised this issue with Mr. Kenn Douglass, Director of Residence Life, and he said he would think about it. We will follow up and keep in touch with you on this matter. It is uncanny to realize that our spring meeting was just prior to news about the serious downturn in our economy, so very similar to the 1928 opening of the House being just on the cusp of The Great Depression of 1929. It is history repeating itself: This time, though, our new President-elect Obama is working hard to develop economic plans beyond the historic bailouts now in progress, so we hope all of us around the US will have both the courage and resources to continue our pursuit of happiness as we go into 2009. Here in Boston, we have been assured that our HERAA funds are safe and secure. We hope your funds and work are, too. On behalf of the Board, our very best loving wishes to all. Marjorie Kettell, PhD, HERAA President
th

In this issue
[2] Report from the HERAA Treasury HERAA Vice Presidents Update: Website HER House President: State of the House Student Notes from Abroad Meet this years House Women Alumnae Personal Updates Alumnae Tea Save the Date

[3]

[4] [5]

HERAA Board of Directors

President Marjorie Kettell, PhD, 47 Vice President Zomana Majid, 91 Treasurer Stephanie Frana, 07 Corresponding Secretary Rachel Fletcher, 08 Database Secretary Rebecca Martin, 07 House President/Acting House Director Rae Lathrop, 09 House Vice President Antonia Roberts, 09

Contact Information
Web: www.her-house.org Email: heralums.191@gmail.com Mail: c/o HER Cooperative House 191 Bay State Road Boston, MA 02215

HERAA Newsletter Fall/Winter 2008

Report from the HERAA Treasury

Each of us at HER and HERAA would personally like to thank all of the alums who have given back financially to support the House. We rely on your dues and generous contributions and the interest earned from HERAA savings to sustain our work. The House President, Rae Lathrop, who is best attuned to house needs, suggests projects selected for support to HERAA, and together we discuss what is possible to accomplish within our budget. In difficult economic times like these, we realize that extra donations may be difficult, but we hope that you will send in your dues, just $25 a year to help with ongoing costs and special projects. What have we accomplished over the past year? Grants and awards given to students at the annual meeting; professional cleaning of French Room sofa and chairs; two multi-function printers (one black and white, one color) for student use; annual meeting and alumnae tea costs; publication and distribution of the 80th Anniversary Redbook; annual newsletter printing and mailing; and HER/HERAA tote bags (the HER House shared half of this cost). Through its ownership of the building, BU handles physical repairs and other non-decorative needs such as this years new refrigerators in the kitchen. On our agenda at this time are discussion of a second small sofa and TV cabinet for the French Room, kitchen chairs, and a reasonably priced digital camera for the House to record activities that will become part of our archives. We will propose to BU the idea of a covered bicycle rack in the back courtyard to house the growing number of bike riders here. On another note, HERAA is working to correct the delays that have happened at times in processing your checks or sending our thanks and tax credit notes to you. Like the come-and-go the HER House faces each year, HERAA copes with transitions as duties are transferred to newly elected officers. We are focusing now on quicker check deposits and apologize to those who have found this a problem in the past. We look forward to hearing from you if there are suggestions or complaints that we can address. Again, thank you for helping us to continue our mission of keeping HER's public rooms in good condition. Hearing from you is a reminder that memories of being here and our cooperative spirit are still alive!
Stephanie Frana, HERAA Treasurer Marjorie Kettell, HERAA President/Co-Treasurer

Thank you for your generous gift to HERAA (Listed below are alumnae donors and respective years of graduation)
Cecelia Krawiec Lewis, 1945 Elizabeth Thorsson, 1945 * Gloria Savcheff Gancarz, 1947
(IMO: Helen Savcheff, 19421945 at HER)

Shoshannah Rothkopf Garshick, 1947

(IMO: Thalia Callichy Mandell)

Hope Reilly Tyler, 1963 Joan Scribner Bettman, 1964 Laura Barros Bumpus, 1965 Mary Grant Herzog, 1967 Betty Ann Clark, 1973 Jayne Staley, 1978 +
(IMO: Meryl Spellman Staley, 1987-2005)

Marjorie Kettell, PhD, 1947 * Virginia Peterson Lamana, 1947 Kathleen Sheehan Davenport, 1949 * Elaine Panaretos Bowditch, 1950 Ann West Taylor, 1951
(IMO: Her Mother)

Lisa Laflamme MacDonnell, 1982 Robbin Frazier, 1984 Noreen Grice, 1985
(IHO: HER Alums)

Mary Cheung Lopez, 1997 Clara Herrero, 2006 Lydia A. Witt, 2006 * Viktoria Brautigam, 2007 Stephanie Frana, 2007 Rebecca Martin, 2007 oz, 2007 Mary Pike, 2007
+ contributed $300 or more *contributed $150 -$299 ^ participated in employer matching gift program IMO: in memory of IHO: in honor of All contributors listed gave between 12/07 and 11/08

Lorna Neumann Lecrenier, 1953 Irene Gesiak Kelley, 1954 + Decker Swann, 1957 Joanne Fraser Jacobs, 1959 Deborah Griffin Kearney, 1960

Jill Geller, 1986 Kathleen O'Donnell, 1986 Clare Deery O'Neil, 1989 Molly Miller, 1990 Zomana Majid, 1991 * ^ Relisource US, Inc. (Zomana Majids employer) *

HERAA Vice Presidents Update: HERAA & HER Website

It was nostalgic from the moment that I walked into the Harriet E. Richards House on a mild spring day earlier this year. The desire to attend an Alumnae Tea gathering at the house had found me many times only with an excuse from me to put it off until next year. This year was different! I attended the tea with my husband and 8-year-old son. The warmth of the welcome reminded me how much I loved this place, a home away from home, during my undergraduate years. While sipping tea and cherishing the memories from almost 15 years ago, I did not know why I had not volunteered to be part of the alumnae association board before. Much to my delight and with the kindness of the hostesses, I was nominated as the VP of the Alumnae Association. My role on the HERAA Board came casually and somewhat unexpectedly, however I believe it comes with many responsibilities. I have a responsibility to give something back to the house, which took care of me for my undergraduate years. While I become more acquainted with my role and find out what more can be done, I thought the web site for the HER House would be a good way to stay in touch with all of you and keep you all informed about HERAA and HER House activities. Some of the new things that you will see on the updated website are: HERAA monthly board meeting minutes th 80 Anniversary HERAA Red Book upcoming alumnae events upcoming HER House/student events We will be adding a lot more information to the web site as the year progresses, so please take some time out from your busy schedule to visit the new website at www.her-house.org. I look for your suggestions and comments on what can be done for the benefit of the HER House and its current residents. We also anticipate to find ways to bring more alumnae and friends of the HER House together at upcoming events. Happy Holidays! Zomana Majid, HERAA Vice President Remember to visit us at www.her-house.org and email us at heralums.191@gmail.com

HERAA Newsletter Fall/Winter 2008

HER House President: State of the House

Dear Alumnae and Friends, Greetings from the beautifully multi-coloredleaf covered HER House! The 2008-2009 academic year started with a bang, literally. The house welcomed ten new members, while five members returned from studying abroad, which created chaos and luggage galore throughout the entire house. Luckily, it was all calm and collected by the first weekend of the year where we held a New Member Orientation, the All House Clean, the House Retreat and the first house meeting all within 48 hours of each other. Our New Member Orientation included short talks about the roles and responsibilities of each executive board and house member as well as a tour to familiarize the new members to the house. This was very successful in ensuring an easy transition into a new semester with an entirely new dynamic. The All House Clean returned the house to its sparkling self after the summer and weekend of moving in, followed by pizza and soda on the front lawn; the entire night was full of fun and swiffers. The House vice president organized an amazing House Retreat that began with all the house members grouped by various personality traits and guided through exploring ways to better cooperate and communicate with each other. We all left understanding more about others and ourselves. We then headed to Coolidge Corner and painted ceramic items that can be used by the entire house (like soap dishes, plates, pitchers and teapots). Our semester also started with an interesting challenge; included in one of the two vacancies in the house this semester is the House Director. Due to some difficulties with the hiring process and miscommunication, we did not hire a House Director this summer. This has left me, as House President, to act as a liaison between the house and the Office of Residence Life. More importantly, it has encouraged every house member to be more responsible with her duties and has increased communication with the office that controls upper Bay State Road housing and the director of Residence Life, Kenn Douglass. Every member feels more inclined to speak up if something is wrong or in situations where she is more sensitive, all leading to a wonderfully open environment of constructive growth and support. The best example of this is taken from this semester's steward, Becky Hehn. Upon returning to the House, she took it upon herself to ask about the possibility of replacing the aging refrigerators and freezers that no longer keep up with the fast metabolisms within the house. After some discourse, we have received two new refrigerators and two new freezers. What more could a house full of women need? Our academic year looks promising in terms of cooperative spirits, house activities and involvement within the greater Boston University community. Many members in the house are stepping forward to plan charity dinners, bike repair workshops, open houses in order to advertise to more women, and many other exciting ventures. We cannot wait to see what the year has to offer. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Alumnae Association and we love when alums stop by to visit or be guest cooks, so don't be a stranger. You can always reach us at by email at her.cooperative@gmail.com. Rae Lathrop, HER President CAS 2008, GRS 2009 Energy and Environmental Policy

Student Notes from Abroad

Ava Rawski in Spain, Class of 2009 Last spring I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. I went originally to learn Spanish, which I have been learning since elementary school but never had the chance to live in a Spanish speaking country. I fell in love with tapas and red wine, and especially El Retiro - the beautiful "Central Park" of Madrid. One of my favorite places was Cine Dore - an old beautiful movie theatre in an odd part of town that screened black and white Spanish classics and other international films. It was a great way to feel at home in a foreign country for a while, learning about Spanish cinema but also being able to see some old films in English. The lobby had the most beautiful tiles and a cafe where I liked to drink cafe con leche. I was able to learn a lot about families in Spain from the host family I lived with for five months. After my semester studying, I was able to travel alone for a month before meeting up with my family in Spain. The experience of being alone in foreign countries and traveling on planes, trains and buses with just my journal and me was one of the greatest experiences I've had yet and has made me value communication and the ability to relate to people and I really loved that experience. Jessica Schmidt in France, Class of 2009 I spent my spring semester in Grenoble, France. Grenoble, the capital of the Alps is a beautiful city, which is completely surrounded by mountains. When I wasn't skiing, I was experimenting with the many other various winter activities including snowshoeing and the very serious French aprs-ski activities. Grenoble with its population of thousands of students is much like the Boston of France. I made many friends from all over the world and became quite close with my host brother and his friends. The Grenoble program is unique because it really emphasizes cultural immersion. I went to a French university and had to speak French all the time, even with the other American students. Much of my time was spent writing an ethnographic research report, which allowed me to become friendly with all the local shopkeepers in a matter of weeks as I engaged in daily conversations with them. I would love to return to France and am seriously considering graduate school in Grenoble!

Rachel Vannice in China, Class of 2010 I just spent an incredible two months in China with BU's Intensive Chinese Language Program in Beijing. It was my first time in Asia and while tough stuff, I learned a great deal, doing two semesters of Chinese in two months. I was able to travel to Xi'an for a weekend to see the Terra Cotta soldiers. With the Olympics and all the development, it was an absolutely amazing time to be in China and I really enjoyed every minute!

Rachel Vannice, second from right, at the Great Wall of China

HERAA Newsletter Fall/Winter 2008

Meet this years HER House Women

Ariana Alisjahbana is from Bandung, Indonesia. She double majors in economics and environmental analysis and policy. She enjoys very spicy food and photography. She hopes that in the future, the HER house could have wind turbine and solar panels. Katie Bailey was born and raised in Benton, Arkansas. She is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace. She enjoys eating chocolate and large amounts of sugar, preferably with other amazing HER House ladies. Alex Bledsoe is a senior in CAS studying International Relations and concentrating in Environment and Development in Latin America. She has been living in the house for three years and continues contributing in true cooperative spirit fashion. She is applying to work for government agencies and environment NGOs hoping they will lead her somewhere in Latin America. Ayan Dirir is a sassy senior majoring in psychology and African studies. She prides herself in being the oldest of nine children from a Somali family and currently resides in CT. Ayan always knows how to have a good time and loves having fun! Cole Duffy is a junior in CAS majoring in Archaeology/Anthropology and aspires to become a professor/archaeologist someday. She loves everything, it just depends on what mood she happens to be in at a particular moment! Mostly she enjoys daydreaming and having fun, sucking up as much of what life has to offer her. Caroline Fong is a Fiji Islander who has lived in Boston for six years. A sophomore and new HER House member this year, she is enjoying the challenges of her class load as she decides between the schools of COM or SMG. In her free time, she enjoys watching films, cleaning her room, and spending time with wonderful House women in the kitchen! Sarah Fong is a Brooklynite and a senior studying business administration and accounting. She was born in Hong Kong, but has lived in Maine for three years where she cultivated her love/hate relationship with snowstorms. Her interests include sleeping in on weekends, cooking, improving her Chinese, conversation, animals with fur (to pet, not to wear) and watching movies that she doesn't always understand. Kelsey Grover is from Maine and is a senior Anthropology major, African Studies minor. She enjoys traveling, music, people and food. She studied abroad last semester in Niger, West Africa and had an incredible time. She has lived in the HER House since her sophomore year at BU and adores the House and all of its fabulous members! My name is Becky Hehn, and I am from Central Massachusetts. Last semester, I studied in Ecuador and am happy to be back living at the coop with such lovely and loving women! I am a senior biology student and am the fall 2008 steward. My name is Adrienne-Myescha Deanne Joell; however, everyone calls me Myescha. I am currently in the College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a degree in International Relations. I am a senior, so I will be graduating in May 2009, exciting and yet daunting. I am originally from Connecticut; however, after moving to Brooklyn, NY in 2005, I'd like to consider myself an official New Yorker. Rae Lathrop came to Boston three years ago from Reno, Nevada. She has just started her fourth year in an accelerated five-year BA/MA program to study Energy and Environmental Policy. She loves seeing everyone in the house get along, attempting to bake bread and spontaneous kitchen dance parties. Makeda A. Marshall hails from Brooklyn New York and is currently a senior at Boston University. She is studying International Relations with a concentration in Africa and Business Economics and a minor in African American history. Makeda loves learning about different cultures and people, and embraces all that she learns. She loves being the Secretary of the house this semester and is enjoying her second semester in the house. My name is Farah Mohammadzadeh, and I am a senior majoring in International Relations, with minors in French and Biology. I dream and muse about trees all day long, especially about baobab trees and the trees covered by the multi-colored foliage of the North East. I am also very excited about the late-fall pomegranate season- yum! A southern girl, Morgan Moretz was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. True to her roots, she loves grits and turnip greens. She is majoring in Public Relations and is currently working to start her own firm. She loves painting, sailing, and waking up every Saturday morning to go grocery shopping for the lovely H.E.R. ladies! I'm Ava Rawski, a senior studying Art History & Latin American Studies. I studied abroad last semester in Spain and fell in love with tapas & big public parks. I will graduate this December and hopefully begin a career in education at some lovely museum. I like eating green things (beet greens especially), growing sprouts, reading Hemingway and riding bikes for transportation. I was raised in Austin, Texas so I love limes, cilantro and hippies. Antonia Roberts is a senior at the School of Management studying Business Law. She was born in Washington, DC but grew up in Sierra Leone and Maryland. The things she loves most about the HER House? Baking cookies late at night, always having a shoulder to cry on, and the many laughs and kitchen convos at two in the morning. She just loves the HER house. Jessica Schmidt is a senior who has lived in the House for two semesters. She is from beautiful upstate New York. She is studying Business Administration and after college, she would like to change the American financial structure. Zoe Shei is a junior studying Public Relations and Sociology. She is from Long Island, New York and loves to run, consume fruits, travel, and laugh endlessly with friends and family. Zoe is currently working for BU Initiative for Literacy Development where she tutors students struggling in literacy. She is super excited for her third semester in the HER house and cannot wait to eat even more scrumptious dinners. Tijy Thankachan sings "Hallelujah" while living at the HER House for her first year. She is a senior studying Biochemistry & Molecular Cell Biology and Religion in CAS. She enjoys singing and live instrumental performances, reading apologetics, learning languages, eating spicy food, and traveling the world. Kendra Toole is a sophomore studying Aerospace Engineering from Portland, Oregon. She likes to run, swim and teach her friends in the house how to be stealthy and ninja-like. She recently returned from her second trip to Uganda and she plans to intern there next summer. Rachel Vannice of the illustrious Champaign, Illinois (No, it's not anywhere near Chicago...) is a Junior studying International Relations who likes to spend as much time traveling to new places and learning new languages as possible. She loves cooking for anyone that likes to eat and French Room study parties! My name is Gabriella Williams, but you can call me Gabby. I am 19 years old and hail from Salinas, California. Currently, I'm a sophomore, double majoring in Business. When I am not doing school activities, I enjoy making music and laughing with loved ones. After college, I plan to start my own Christian record label and be the change I'd like to see in the world.

HERAA Newsletter Fall/Winter 2008

Save the Dates!

Please join us for the Annual Meeting and Alumnae Tea Saturday, April 25, 1-4pm Also, join us for a Valentines Day Tea Sunday February 15, 1-3pm
You can expect your invitations in the coming months. Please call or email the HER House with questions at (617) 352-7000 or her.cooperative@gmail.com

Alumnae Personal Updates

Please share your own personal update with fellow alumnae by completing the Address Update Form (p. 6) to stay abreast of meetings, teas and other alumnae activities and in touch with former housemates. Kathleen Sheehan Davenport (CAS 1949) At this stage of life, one is in survivor mode. Thankful that medical science can help body parts in need: cataract surgery, knee replacement and hearing aids. Ive had no major illness. Still live in my house and drive my car. Grateful that my close HER buddies are survivors also. I enjoy what I can! Reading, music, limited travel and friends. Life is still good! Deborah Griffin Kearney (CLA 1960) I served as House President 1958-1959 and as House Manager 1959-1960. I am still very much in touch with my roommate of four years, Elaine Moore Kirk, who now lives in Minnesota. Laura Barros Bumpus (SAR 1965) Working part-time as a pediatric physical therapist. Enjoying our nine grandchildren (and our children of course!). Husband Bruce is teaching at Babson and has his own consulting business. Molly Miller (SAR 1990) Traveling to do medical mission work in Mexico and South America. Melissa Vargas and Melanie Gardner were each awarded $100 for Best Cook and Highest GPA respectively; these two awards are available thanks to the generosity of alumnae Marjorie Kettell, PhD (CLA 1947, GRS 1954, GRS 1964). Valerie Ivanova received $100 for her strong academic performance; this onetime award was available thanks to the generosity of alumnae oz (CAS 2007), who asked the gift be given to a graduating senior.

Award Winners 2008

Ruth Manwaring grants ($230) were given to Melissa Carr and Rachel Fletcher. In order to receive this grant, applicants write letters to the HERAA Board and are chosen on the basis of merit, need and explanation of how the funds would be used. Miss Cooperative ($100), given to a current house member and is voted on by HER House women, was awarded to Rae Lathrop. The Emma Sleeper Award ($100), given in honor of an early House Mother from the 1920s and in recognition of cooperative spirit, was awarded to Sarah Garton. Current house members vote a graduating senior for the award.

2008-2009 Dues & Donations Form

HERAA greatly appreciates your continued support over the years. Your dues and generous donations allow us to continually support HER House residents and to refurbish the beautiful home generations of us have come to love. Your gift helps to ensure the enduring vitality of our beloved House that which connects us all as Alumnae.

HERAA Membership Dues: $25

In addition to your dues, we greatly appreciate any gifts you are able to provide to help support preserving the House and funding student activities. If you would like to have your contribution used for a specific purpose (e.g., needed household items, student scholarships and grants, archiving materials, etc.) please indicate so below, and we will allocate your donation according to your wishes. Soon, we will publish a list of potential in-kind donation items wanted by the House on our website.

Giving Levels (circle one):

Gold: $300 +
Other amount: My contribution is given in memory of: My contribution is given in honor of: With a gift of $25 or more beyond your dues, you will receive a sturdy, reusable HER House/HERAA tote bag! Please indicate if you would like a tote bag sent to you (circle one): Yes or No
Please make checks payable to HERAA. All dues and donations to HERAA are tax-deductible to the limits of the law as we are a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We greatly appreciate your gift! Please mail all dues and donations to: HERAA, c/o Harriet E. Richards Cooperative House, 191 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215

Silver: $150 - $299

Bronze: $25 - $149

HERAA Newsletter Fall/Winter 2008

Please welcome the Class of 2008 to the Harriet E. Richards Alumnae Association!
Back row (L - R): Melissa Carr, Rachel Polan. Middle row (L R): Sarah Garton, Rachel Fletcher, Shan Shan Nie, Valerie Ivanova. Front Row (L - R): Melissa Vargas, Rachel Stein, Melanie Gardner. Not pictured: Jen Holmes.

2008-2009 Address Update Form

In an effort to maintain our Alumnae Database, we ask that along with your dues and donations, you send us your current contact information and a personal update or special anecdote to share with your fellow alumnae in the next newsletter. First Name: Street Address: City: Phone: Occupation: Major(s) at BU: Graduation Year: Years at HER (e.g., 1978-1981): State: Email: Retired: Y or N School: Zip: Maiden Name: Last Name:

House officer positions held and dates of office (if applicable): Please initial if you give HERAA permission to share your contact information with fellow HER House alumnae if requested: Please share any personal updates, anecdotes, memories, comments or questions you may have (use an additional sheet if necessary):