"When Ella [Tambussi] Grasso '40 made her first remarks after being elected governor of Connecticut in 1974—and this was a historic election—she spoke about Mount Holyoke," says Joan "Wink" Winkel Ripley '55. "It was where she'd learned that we have a duty to our communities. That includes our alma mater.
Ripley's class has a strong record of civic engagement and an extraordinary history of supporting Mount Holyoke. As her classmates attest, she's been a driving force for the latter. When she became class president in 2010, Ripley also assumed the duties of class agent. Her approach is well known and oft-repeated. "I always say, 'The only gift that is too small is no gift at all.'"
Ripley describes her class as extremely tight-knit. She adds, "From our first day on campus to our last, we knew that those who came before us paved our way," says Ripley. "I've never had to convince anyone to give. We all believe in Mount Holyoke."
The truth of that is evident in the stats. For the past two years, class giving to The Mount Holyoke Fund has had 100 percent participation. In addition, close to 100 members have given annually for 50 years. Of those, 14 have given for 59 years.
"Loyalty of this sort is just remarkable and our class enjoys celebrating it. I'm delighted that the College likewise is celebrating all the alumnae who make it a priority to give back—and give consistenly—to Mount Holyoke."
The Laurel Chain Society recognizes all alumnae who consistently make a gift—in any amount to any fund—to support Mount Holyoke. For more information on how you can become a member of the Laurel Chain Society, please contact Jale Okay, Senior Officer, The Mount Holyoke Fund, at 413-538-2629.
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