HERAA Fall/Winter 2007 Newsletter

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HERAA Newsletter
Harriet E. Richards Alumnae Association Fall / Winter 2007 Volume 11, Issue 1

A Letter from the HERAA President

What have we accomplished this year? Four lamps and two dark brick colored sofas make the Foyer lighter and more comfortable. The dining room drapes we bought for the 60th anniversary were replaced and BU workmen refinished the floors to a lovely patina. We purchased a new sink, faucets, and cabinet which now grace the foyer lavatory. Other items in our budget: Holiday gift to the House, $200. Alumnae Tea food, $300. Student awards this year, $860. Newsletter expenses about $650. Your email address and/or permission to post the Newsletter on our website would help reduce copying and mailing costs. Other refurbishing projects are on our list.
Photo by Chloe Magner, a HER House friend

IN THIS ISSUE:
Meet this years House Women

Notes from Abroad 3-4 ...And from Around Town

80th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Alumnae Tea Dates and Information Letters from the HER House President, Director & Steward

Warmest greetings to all alumnae of HER as we look ahead to 2008 and the 80th anniversary of what was an inspired experiment by former Dean of Women, Lucy Franklin. In 1928, when BU was primarily populated by men, her idea was to provide women, especially those from the country, with an opportunity to have a college education by reducing expenses through cooperative living. She had seen this work well with female graduate students in France. The result was one of the first cooperative dormitories in the nation. As you know, Miss Harriet E. Richards was a friend of Dean Franklin's who donated funds for the maintenance of the House that bears her name. In 1940, HER moved from 328 to 191 Bay State Road. Looking back on my first year there, in 1943, I recall the wonder and awe at such a beautiful, large house, since I was one of those girls from the country! On April 29, 1934, at a House meeting with Dean Franklin, it was voted to organize a permanent HER Alumnae Association. Those who lived at HER for at least one semester and left in good standing could become members. Officers were to collect dues (50 cents a year!) and information for the permanent record book, keep in touch with representatives from each class, and help members maintain interest in the association. These goals continue to inspire our efforts. It was also clear that this fledgling style of dormitory life was in need of ongoing financial support.

HERAA Board members this year: For the past two decades (off and mostly on), I have been privileged to serve as President; Clara Herrero is Vice President and is working on archives and outreach; Betty Waldron is Treasurer for the second year and is computerizing our financial records. Mary Pike is Corresponding Secretary and Clerk of our non-profit organization. Rebecca Martin, Database Secretary, is working diligently to update alumnae information and get this Newsletter completed and mailed. Representing HER are Melanie Gardner, House Director; Hannah Warner, House President; and Rachel Fletcher, Vice President. They provide crucial information to the Board about what the House needs. My heartfelt appreciation to all of these Board members for their hard work. For the 80th Anniversary celebration, I would like to compile and edit a new issue of the Red Book; the first issue was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of HER and was distributed only at HER. Please see the questionnaire (P. 6) Please send replies as "camera ready" for xeroxing, in an 8.5 x 11 envelope or by email. The new issue will be available to you by request.

Award Winners 2007 80th Anniversary Redbook Questionnaire

5 6

A Letter from the HERAA 7 Database Secretary

HERAA BOARD Marjorie Kettell, Ph.D.

President

Clara Herrero
Vice President

Betty Waldron
Treasurer

Mary Pike
Corresponding Secretary

We are all looking forward to this noteworthy Database Secretary milestone, the 80th Anniversary of HER, and we anticipate sharing it with you and all of the other alumnae who are able to come to Boston on Saturday, April 5, 2008. We hope that you can see we are doing our utmost to carry out those original goals written in We have then a long history of continuing the Please note our new cooperative spirit beyond our years as undergraduates. 1934, the most important being helping you to maintain interest in your HERAA! Please come and It is with enormous gratitude that the Board of email address: join us in April! Overseers, as Dean Melville called us, has received heralums.191@gmail.com your contributions as we strive to keep House Meanwhile, Happy Holidays! furnishings in good shape. Each expenditure is We hope to carefully discussed by HER and HERAA Board hear from you! - Marjorie E. Kettell, Ph.D. President & the HERAA Board members as priorities are set in terms of needs and budget.

Rebecca Martin

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MEET THIS YEARS HER HOUSE WOMEN

Alex Marie Bledsoe (International Relations '09) is the interview committee head in her third semester living in the HER house. Her studies focus on Latin America and she hopes to work for an organization supporting sustainable development. She is a bilingual, enthusiastic, and eclectic house member who is so grateful for all HER memories & excited for experiences to come! Melissa Carr is a senior studying Psychology. She is from Santa Rosa, California and has been a resident of the HER House since February of her freshman year. Last spring, Melissa studied in Sydney, Australia. Ayan Dirir is a junior in CAS studying Psychology and African Studies. Although in her heart, she really reps Somalia, she currently resides in West Hartford, CT. In her free time, which is a rare occasion, Ayan enjoys good conversation with friends. Rachel Fletcher, current Vice President, is in her final year at BU and has mixed feelings about this situation. She is wrapping up both her major in Journalism and minor in Women's Studies this semester, and is looking forward to taking classes in her interests (namely dance, art, and French). Aside from those interests, she also enjoys cooking, baking, eating, and growing food. Melanie Dequetta Gardner is the House Director and a second year graduate student at the School of Social Work. She is from Bowie, MD, and enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family. After graduation, she aspires to be a school social worker in the Washington, D.C. area. Sarah Garton is a senior culture anthropology major hailing from Arlington, Texas. Although she doesn't know what comes next, she is content for now learning how to sail on the Charles, biking and gardening for kicks. Jenny Graner graduates in December with an IR concentration on Environment and Sustainable Development in Africa and the Middle East. When looking into the glass ball, which incidentally can be found in a corner of the boiler room, she tries to get a glimpse into her future. She's trying to return to Madagascar. This house has shaped her undergraduate experience in a way she will not forget. She'll enjoy saying that she's not just a BU alum, but a HER alum as well! Kelsey Grover ('09) studies Cultural Anthropology and loves the HER House! She also loves food and going to House dinners are a highlight of her evening! She enjoys music and loves to dance and sing. She hopes upon graduating to travel the world and help children in need. Rebecca Hehn is a junior in CAS majoring in biology. This is her second semester living in the House, and she is extremely grateful for the time she has been able to live here, the amazing girls she's met, and the opportunity to learn about herself while gaining a more cosmopolitan view of the world in which we live. Adieu! Jen Holmes is from Turners Falls, Mass, a place very different from Boston but still just as lovely. She's a Psychology major in CAS and will be graduating in January, hopefully pursuing a graduate degree in Neuropsychology. This is unfortunately her first and last semester in the house but it's a time she has definitely enjoyed and will not soon forget. Aside from visiting with the awesome girls of the HER house she likes to play guitar, run, solve riddles, and travel! Valerie Ivanova is a senior studying Biology in CAS. She enjoys being outdoors and exploring new places. She also likes languages and can incorporate at least 3 different languages in one sentence. November 2, 1986 Farah Mohammadzadeh was born in Bolivia to a Bolivian mother and a Persian father. 6 weeks later the family plus its newest member flew back to Vienna, Austria. Since August 12, 2000 the family, + a brother, have been living in the US where Farah now studies International Relations ('09), hoping to eventually work for an NGO or perhaps even the United Nations. Elizabeth Motta is a junior double majoring in International Relations and Economics. She is originally from Westport, MA, and loves living in Boston, especially in the H.E.R. Cooperative House (this is her first semester). Beyond academics and the H.E.R. House, she is the president of BU Students Against Human Trafficking, a new group created to raise awareness about modern day slavery, volunteers in the Admissions Office, and is an intern at the African Presidential Archives and Research Center. Shan Shan Nie, from Chengdu, China, is a senior studying Economics and International Relations and is the House Treasurer. Some of her interests include painting with various mediums, and teaching subjects such as language, art and math. She enjoys engaging in different projects for good causes, and likes to travel and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Samantha Plonsky is a junior in CAS studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In addition to school she works as an intern at Genzyme Corporation in Allston. Genzyme is a biotechnology company that specializes in enzyme replacement therapies for people with rare diseases. On the weekends, you can find her riding, training, or competing nationally with her horses. Rachel Polan (CAS '09) is the current Secretary for the HER House! She is twenty years old, hails from Los Angeles, CA, and loves political science and rock 'n roll! Ava Rawski is a junior studying Art History and Latin American Studies in CAS. She was raised in Austin, Texas and loves limes, hot weather, and bbq. She is looking forward to studying abroad next semester in Madrid, and currently works at the Institute of Contemporary Art. She is the Steward for the House, and in her free time, she enjoys cooking new recipes, seeing films, gardening, and looking at Boston from the CAS roof. Antonia Roberts studies finance & business law in SMG ('09), and is enjoying watching the leaves change colors as she stresses over her exams. She hopes to work in Micro Financing/ Micro Loan Banking, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of Mohammed Yunus. And of course, Antonia ADORES her time spent with the wonderful women of the HER House who continue to make her life more colorful than it is. Jessica Schmidt is a junior in the School of Management concentrating in Finance and Information Systems. She is from the beautiful farms and hills of upstate New York, specifically Binghamton. This is her first semester in the co-op, and so far she is fascinated by the history of the House and is looking forward to learning a lot more. Zoe Shei is from Long Island, NY and studies International Relations ('10). In the future, she would like to do missionary work with people living in poverty. This is her first semester living in the gorgeous House and she absolutely loves it. Her interests are going to the beach, running in nice weather, competitive racing, serving the community, learning more about the Gospel, traveling and seeing the world, being in good company, eating ethnic foods, laughing endlessly and just loving life. Melissa Vargas hails from Miami, Florida. She is finishing up her last year at BU this spring with a BA in Art History and a minor in Spanish language. It is her first year at the HER House and she enjoys grocery shopping and counting how many languages are spoken by HER house-members: ten!

(Continued Page 3)

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NOTES FROM ABROAD

Spring in Niamey
I spent the spring semester studying in Niamey, Niger learning about development, new languages, agricultural hopes and indigenous peoples rights through a BU study abroad program. I was able to not only take classes with local university professors, but also had an internship with ICRISAT, an international non-governmental organization concerned with agricultural research in the semi-arid tropics. I traveled once a week to spend a whole day in their regional center at Sadore, fifty kilometers from Niamey in the "bush." I conducted fieldwork really working in the fields with womens working groups and the village's Peace Corps volunteer. I shadowed them in their daily activities: grafting mango seedlings, bagging compost, attending baptism ceremonies and taking afternoon siestes (rests). Also, I was an apprentice to Tanda, a bronze artisan at the National Museum during the rest of the week. Together we made a camel figure (yo in Zarma, one local language that I learned), a hippo (banga), a pineapple (ananas in French), a hedgehog (koonu) and bracelets! One week I was able to stay with a family and my homestay mother, Habsou Aboubacar. She is the founder of Sarah (center) says even abroad HER women love cooking! the women's working cooperative, Tin Hinan, where the women sew, embroider, and make batik and other crafts for sale. The cooperative also gives them literacy lessons. Habsou also works with the United Nations as a Tuareg woman representative on an Indigenous Peoples Rights Committee for the Berber peoples of northern Africa. Our program traveled to Burkina Faso for Spring Break and attended FESPACO, the West African film and cultural festival, too. There is so much more but my semester went by so quickly, with each day filled to the brim. I am so grateful that I was blessed to be able to meet such incredible people and built wonderful friendships that I will never forget. - Sarah Garton, Head of Renovations Committee, is a senior studying Cultural Anthropology

AND FROM AROUND TOWN (more Notes on Page 4)

Moving Beyond Disabilities
This summer I worked in Newport, RI with people who have physical disabilities (cerebral palsy, counseling, and aquatic therapy. The therapies that the participants took part in were focused on promoting independence in any area they had goals for; for example, successfully tying a bow tie, pushing uphill with ease in a wheelchair, or learning voice-guided technology to use the computer without hands. Adaptive recreational events included sailing, a ropes course, hand cycling, wheelchair rugby, tennis, and two women from the USA Paralympics team shared their prowess in basketball. Since learning so much about adaptive devices and wheelchairs, I've even found myself on the street staring to check out a wheelchair or the persons fit in it! On July 4th when flying kites & playing adaptive volleyball with the adult participants, I literally ran into my HER housemates Shan Shan Nie & Valerie Ivanova (both '08) at Brenton Point State Park who were vacationing for the day! Rebecca Martin ('07) & Sarah Garton ('08) also visited and spent time with me and my new friends at Shake- we had a lovely picnic & bike ride to Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, went moonlight swimming, and picked berries and brunched at a local farm! As a residential assistant, I felt honored to be a part of the participants' daily routines, to be depended on and trusted with providing care in dressing, bathing, feeding, bowel & bladder care, and transfers. Shake A Leg staff and participants create a unique environment where a caring therapeutic relationship forms with ease; making that extra push towards independence is a team effort as participants and therapists live and go out in Newport together as equals and encourage one another. Caregivers' well-meaning actions may prevent independence, so I urged myself to step back, encourage participants (sometimes with tough love), and find fulfillment in promoting self-advocacy instead of attempting to advocate for Shake A Leg's participants myself. The experiences and friends I've made are unforgettable and contribute so much to my professional development, especially as I became a knowledgeable and empathetic support for others' own self-exploration. - Hannah Warner, House President, is a masters student studying Occupational Therapy

Hannah (top left) with Shake A Leg participants

spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy among them) at a "therapeutic vacation" called Shake A Leg. The 10-week Whole Life Therapy program was divided to serve teenagers, young adults, and adults with occupational, physical, and massage therapies, strength & conditioning, rehabilitation

MEET THIS YEARS HER HOUSE WOMEN

(Continued from Page 2)

Hannah Warner, HER house President, is from Jamesport- a small beach & farming town on Long Island, NY. After receiving her Master's in May, she'll complete occupational therapy fieldwork experiences in Dorchester, San Francisco, and Harlem (hopefully with plenty of Spanish speaking opportunities!), before further exploring an interest to provide international therapy & live with populations that are under-served. Amanda Wybolt (COM '08) hails from the great Midwest, specifically Chicago, though she was born in Boston. She has lived in the front triple since June of '07. One of her lives is spent at Boston Sports Clubs as a Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor, while in the other she dabbles in every class possible outside of COM just to be sure she'll have no idea what she wants to do when graduating in May.

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NOTES FROM AROUND TOWN (Continued from Page 3)

Malagasy Thesis Endeavors
This past year I have been researching rice production in Madagascar. I never imagined my undergraduate thesis would incorporate a starch in a country floating so far away. And yet, I never expected to live in a coop in Boston either. In 2005 I traveled to Madagascar with 16 other students from across the US. Our final month we were given a stipend and sent off to any part of the island to do the research we wanted. I had wanted to do research on government structure, corruption, and the gap between the wealthy and poor. But, these topics were a bit big to conquer in one month; therefore, my academic director suggested I look into the rice importation/production business and, through it, incorporate the larger themes. Upon my arrival to Boston University I was told each senior has an option to do a thesis. I was enthused to imagine the possibility of continuing the research I began while I was there. The study itself is a comprehensive view of rice production. It incorporates the island's pre and post-colonial history, both economic and political. This section was the backbone of how rice arrived to the island and its productions methods since. Because 80 percent of Madagascar's flora and fauna is unique to the island, it was important to look at sustainable scientific rice production methods, such as transgenics. This incorporates the Green Revolution and its impact, both positive and negative, in locations where wheat and rice production were incorporated. It also includes a closer look at India and Pakistan. The most important document I analyzed was from the Food and Agriculture Organization done in 1999 providing evidence on rice production across the island. I conclude with my analysis of the research. This research has allowed me to explore something of which I am passionate. I applied to continue my research in Madagascar in 2008/2009 through the Fulbright Scholarship. They will let me know in January. In the meantime, my plans are to return to Africa regardless of whether or not I am given the scholarship. I am eager to continue studying and working with economics and agriculture and its role with the rural poor. Before concluding, I wanted to thank HERAA for your support to the house. It has been a pleasure to live and be a part of this community. - Jenny Graner, House Clerk, is a second semester

Jenny in Madagascar, 2005

Editorial Adventures at Teen Voices

For anyone whos ever worried about the current state of feminism, I can proudly say I work in a place where feminism is alive and well. Teen Voices magazine is a publication that is entirely written by teen girls from inner city Boston and supplemented with submissions from girls all over the world. They write about topics ranging from depression to sexuality to teen motherhood to global warming to how the media uses images of womenits a beautiful mixture of issues that girls today are actually concerned about, written in language that isnt condescending or inappropriate for their age as so many teen magazines are. I found out about Teen Voices magazine through two former HER House members and decided it was the perfect place to fuse my work in magazine journalism and womens studies. I was offered an internship as an editorial assistant, which means Im responsible for fact checking, proofreading, doing interviews, requesting CDs and books to be reviewed, and pretty much anything else that needs to be done to get the magazine out. When I tell people I intern at a place called Teen Voices, they give me a look. Like Oh, its one of those magazines. You know, one that objectifies girls, is devoted mostly to pictures of cute boys and starving models and articles about celebrities. Everything those magazines are, TV is not. Watching the girls walk into the building after school, get down to work, and see the product that is born from their creativity is how I know feminism is working for girls today. They are not the vapid, hungry-looking powder puffs Seventeen or Teen Vogue would have them be. They are strong, articulate, confident, and proud of what they do. I sincerely hope that with every girl who picks up a copy of TV, another strong, confident girl emerges. - Rachel Fletcher, House Vice President, is a senior studying Magazine Journalism & Womens Studies

ALUMNAE TEA
DATES

& INFOMARTION

Save the date! Join us for the

80th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Alumnae Tea Saturday, April 5, 2008 1pm - 4pm
Please expect your invitation in the coming months. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please call the HER House or email us with questions at (617) 352-7000 or heralums.191@gmail.com

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A LETTER FROM THE HER HOUSE PRESIDENT & HOUSE DIRECTOR

This 2007-2008 scholastic year began at the HER House with an "All House Clean" to make the floors sparkle and the massive pile of clothing donations sent out! House members enjoyed pizza and salad to refuel their expended energy. We began our fall retreat with full bellies thanks to a breakfast prepared by the E-board, and quickly commenced bonding activities. We sprinted around the house and found special possessions to share the meaning of, and then got quite "close" playing a "find the body part" game matching photos of our eyes or birthmarks or booties to whom they belonged. Making a humid walk and T ride to Davis Square's Bowl Haven, we were rewarded with the unique New England treasure of candlepin bowling together! November's arrival was greeted by the House women with our annual Fall Faculty Welcome event. Our professors, teaching fellows, and special staff members (even employers!) took part in an afternoon of tours, dining on autumnalthemed savory & sweet dishes and drinks, and appreciating the House. The House renovations committee & HERAA are working together to organize and protect many of the photos and documents, also making them more accessible for viewing and learning by all! A few planned events for this semester include a charity dinner to benefit the Association of Haitian Women in Boston, and a "spiced-up" winter wonderland dance! We have voted to join the North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) in the Spring. In addition to providing information and lectures of how we can improve efficiency and overall cooperative functioning, NASCO will help to network the unique historical HER cooperative with other housing, worker, and retail co-ops in the Boston area and nationally. refinished and all of the windows were washed. The back courtyard has also undergone a makeover to include a lovely picnic table, bike rack, and plants. With autumn's harvest nearly over we did not plant a crop in our new raised garden bed, but look forward to planning for spring, bringing our house closer to selfsustainable and practical living.

In order to continue the work of preserving and beautifying the house a detailed list has been made of the items that are still in need of repair. The major project of the house this semester is purchasing a new dishwasher that will be able to keep up with the demands of the women of the HER House. We are looking forward to this The HER House has undergone major renovations addition and are excited about the overall this past year and will continue to restore the progress being made! Again, we greatly appreciate house to its original historic condition. Several the continued support from HERAA of our repairs were made to the house last school year endeavors in living cooperatively in the beautiful including fixing water damage, removing peeling HER house. paint, refinishing the kitchen cabinets, and installing a beautiful new sink in the entryway bathroom. - Hannah Warner, HER House President & Over the summer the dining room floor was Melanie Gardner, HER House Director

AWARD WINNERS 2007

A LETTER FROM THE HER HOUSE STEWARD

Toward a more Sustainable Co-op one bite at a time
This year, the HER House decided to embark on a journey to find both a grocery store and bulk distributor that better aligned with our cooperative efforts. Our efforts stemmed from a concern about making sure that our home is sustainable and that every aspect of our experience, including our purchases, reflects our cooperatives mission of striving to positively impact and interact with our community. We joined Harvest Co-op for our weekly grocery shopping, with locations in Central Square, Cambridge and on Centre St. in Jamaica Plain. Harvest Co -op is a member-owned, non-profit natural foods marketplace. Our membership makes us owners at the grocery store, and we are invited to attend meetings and participate in board member elections. Our membership also supports organic and sustainable agriculture, local farmers and producers and fair trade businesses. The Harvest Co-op (www.harvestcoop.com) reflected the kinds of ideals we hoped to pursue in our housing cooperative, and it meant a lot to us to join another cooperative community and support people in their efforts to do business cooperatively as we were living cooperatively.

2007 Award Winners with HERAA President Marjorie Kettell (L-R): Kettell, Schwuchow, Gardner, Tibbetts, Whitleigh & Martin

Ruth Manwaring grants ($230) were given to Ashley Tibbetts and Lauren Whitleigh. In order to receive this grant, women write letters to the HERAA Board; the grants are awarded on the basis of merit, need and explanation of how the funds would be used.

For a bulk distributor, we chose Associated Buyers (www.assocbuyers.com), which is based in New Hampshire. In its mission statement, AB outlines its dedication to bulk distribution as a means to save valuable resources in reduced packaging and fuel consumption while providing people with access to Miss Cooperative ($100), which is voted on by HER House women, was also whole, natural foods that might otherwise not be available to them. The company focuses on product quality, but also fairness to farmers and manuawarded to Lauren Whitleigh. facturers in price. We have been able to buy many fair trade items from them. Associated Buyers made it more possible for us to commit ourselves The Emma Sleeper Award ($100), given in memory of an early House to sustainable living through purchasing fair trade goods and reducing packagMother from the 1920s and in recognition of cooperative spirit, was ing and waste. presented to Rebecca Martin. Through both of these changes, we hope to further incorporate our coopKelly Schwuchow and Melanie Gardner were each awarded $100 for erative efforts into every part of the living experience at the Harriet E. RichBest Cook and Highest GPA respectively; these two awards were available ards House. thanks to Marjorie Kettells generosity. - Ava Rawski, House Steward, is a junior concentrating in Art History & Latin American studies. CONGRATULATIONS!

HERAA Fall/Winter 2007 Newsletter

80TH ANNIVERSARY RED BOOK QUESTIONNAIRE

Page 6

The Red Book was created by Marjorie Kettell (CLA 47, GRS 54 & 64) in 1988 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the HER House. The Red Book compiled experiences and memories about living at HER the best representation of the Houses history. To celebrate HERs 80th anniversary, we would like to include your recollections about the house and information about your current life into a second edition of the Red Book. Thank you for sharing your memories and anecdotes. We and future generations of HER alumnae will treasure all you have to say. Name (please include a maiden name if applicable): __________________________________________________________________ Hometown, State:_________________________________________________________________________________________ Current Street Address: ________________________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ___________________ Telephone (preferred): _________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________ Date of Birth: _____________________ Retired? Y or N Profession: ______________________________________________________________________________

Current Employment: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Avocational Interests: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Family information you want to share (i.e., spouse, children, etc): _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Years at HER (e.g., 1978-1981): ______________________ Undergraduate school at BU: _______ Degree: ______ Year: ______ Major(s):___________________________________________ Highest degree earned: ___________ Earned at (college, university): ___________________________________________________ Major/Concentration: ____________________________________________________________ Year(s): _____________ Others from HER you would like to contact through our alumnae network: Were you an officer while at the HER House? If so, which position(s) (including committee heads) did you hold? What did you learn and take with you when you left HER?

What have been your most interesting life experiences since graduating?

Please include below your recollections of exciting and interesting times; different things you learned, enjoyed or didn't enjoy; people you remember warmly, etc. Write all that you would like to share with other alumnae. We, and future generations of HER alumnae will treasure all that you say (please use a separate sheet if necessarywe hope it will be):

PLEASE SIGN HERE TO GIVE YOUR PERMISSION TO REPRINT YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE REPLIES IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE RED BOOK. IF YOU GIVE PERMISSION FOR YOUR INFORMATION TO BE PUBLIC RECORD IN PRINT AND/OR ON THE HER WEBSITE, PLEASE INDICATE AS SUCH BY SIGNING THE APPROPRIATE SPACES BELOW. IF YOU AGREE TO ALL THREE CHOICES, THEN SIGN ALL THREE; IF NOT, SIGN ONLY WHAT YOU WANT US TO DO WITH YOUR REPLIES. YOUR PERMISSION WILL BE CAREFULLY NOTED AS FORMS ARE RETURNED TO US. I GIVE PERMISSION to include my replies in the Red Book: ______________________________________ I GIVE PERMISSION to have my replies published in the Red Book for distribution to other HERAA members only: __________________________________ I GIVE PERMISSION to have my replies on the website: ________________________________________ RECEIVING A COPY Would you like a copy of the Red Book? Yes _____ or No______ (You may have access to a downloadable copy of the Red Book on the HER website) If yes, would you like a HARD COPY mailed to you _______ OR an ELECTRONIC COPY emailed to you _______ We are only printing and binding copies as they are requested, so please be sure to let us know your preference. Please return this questionnaire by February 1, 2008 to Marjorie E. Kettell, 15 Elwell Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 If possible, please return the form in an 8.5 x 11 envelope. You may also email us this information at heralums.191@gmail.comfor those of you with email access, we

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LETTER FROM THE HERAA DATABASE SECRETARY

Greetings HER Alumnae! It was the history of the HER Cooperative, the women that lived in it and my positive experiences at HER that propelled me toward taking an active part of the Harriet E. Richards Alumnae Association. I sought out the position of Database Secretary specifically because of its ties to truly engaging and maintaining the relationships between the House and her alumnae and more importantly the ties between alumnae by means of the newsletter and the database. people that truly shaped their experiences at HER. Please then submit your memories by returning the Address Update Form making sure you include what you have been up to in the past year.

Additionally, if you are in touch with friends from your years at HER who are not on our contact list, please send in their information. We are always looking to improve and expand our database; at this point in time we have information for nearly 700 HER alumnae, but hear back from so few! Red Book 80th Anniversary Edition Please consider writing us a quick note even if it is As we approach the 80th anniversary of the HER to say hello to your graduating class or asking us to House in 2008, the importance of preserving and re put you back in touch with a long-lost HER friend. -establishing relationships within HER community seems amplified of course it is our goal to main- In the interest of linking those within the alumnae tain the House and the links between us all for community, a few Board and house members have another 80 years at least! I hope then that you will begun discussing setting up a more connected and support HERAA in our efforts to compile a second interactive alumnae network one which current edition of the Red Book by sending Marjorie your and future alumnae can turn to when in need of questionnaire by February 1, 2008. The experiences mentorship, career advice, educational guidance and memories of your time in the cooperative and more. Our ability to keep in touch with you serve as our communitys most valuable resources and with future generations of alumnae depends on to learning about how it became to be as it is today. your updating us with your current occupation, course of study and your interests. Updates We also hope and encourage that you not only We hope that this newsletter finds you in full hapcontribute your memories for the anniversary and piness and health. We also hope to see you at the the Red Book, but for each fall we send out the Alumnae Tea on Saturday, April 5, 2008. Please newsletter. Many of the comments we receive keep in touch and have a Happy Holiday season! focus on the appreciation and anticipation of reading about their former classmates and peers; the -Rebecca Martin, Database Secretary, CAS/COM 07

HER women at an Alumnae Tea in the early 2000s

2007-2008 DUES & DONATIONS FORM

The Harriet E. Richards Alumnae Association appreciates your paying your dues and additionally supporting the House with donations. Your generosity allows us to continue supporting student activities and projects and to restore and refurbish the beautiful home that generations of women have come to know through the years. Your gift ensures the enduring vitality of our beloved House that which connects us all as Alumnae.

HERAA Membership Dues: $25 (for all alumnae)

In addition to your dues, we would appreciate your sending a special gift to support funds for preservation of the House and student activities.

Giving Levels (circle one): Gold: $300 + Other amount: ________ My contribution is given in memory of: ____________________________________________________ My contribution is given in honor of: ______________________________________________________ Silver: $150 - $299 Bronze: $50 - $149

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 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

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HER House Women on their Fall Retreat in September 2007

2007-2008 ADDRESS UPDATE FORM

In an effort to maintain our Alumnae Database, we ask that along with your dues and donations, you also include your current address, phone and email information, as well as a personal update.

First Name: ___________________

Maiden Name: ___________________

Last Name: ___________________

Street Address: ___________________________________________________ City: ________________________ Phone: _______________________ State: ______ Zip: __________

Email: _____________________

Email Us!
Please note our new email address:

Occupation: ___________________________________________________ Years at the HER House (e.g., 1978-1981): _________________ Major(s): ________________________ Graduation Year: ________________ School: _____________

heralums.191@gmail.com
Also visit the HER House on the web at:

www.her-house.org

Personal updates, comments and questions (e.g., about housemates) (please use an additional sheet if necessary):