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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT MARY SCHMIDT CAMPBELL, Ph.D.
PHONE: 404-270-5001 President
F AX: 404-270-5010
May 16, 2019
Dear Spelman College Class of 1969:
On behalf of the entire Spelman College family, I am thrilled to extend heartfelt congratulations
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to you on this special occasion that marks the 50 anniversary of your graduation. Welcome home,
Golden Girl Class of 1969! This unique milestone provides an opportunity to reflect and reminisce,
and deserves abundant celebration.
Your years of matriculation at Spelman were some of the most significant moments in the life of
the College and our changing world. While you were students, the Vietnam War escalated, the
Voting Rights Act of 1965 was implemented; Shirley Chisholm became our country’s first black
Congresswoman; and you mourned the death of our beloved Martin Luther King, Jr., who laid in
state in Sisters Chapel before his funeral. Newly enacted laws struck down discrimination against
women in the workplace and restrictions on women’s reproductive rights. These events changed
your world view and influenced your aspirations about what you could become.
As forward‐thinking student scholars, you led the fight for student, faculty and alumnae
representation on the Board of Trustees and expansion of the curriculum to include African‐
American history and culture. You brought about changes in campus life such as a liberalized curfew
and the right to wear pants during regular school hours after locking yourselves in Sisters Chapel in
protest. Active in student government, departmental clubs, and organizations, you were also honor
students, Merrill Scholars, and exchange students. Upon graduating, you entered an exciting world,
prepared for new job opportunities for women and opened doors for your Spelman sisters to follow.
You served in communities far and near and built lives with family and friends you’ve held dear.
Thank you for your examples of scholarship, leadership and service that advanced Spelman
standards and honors for 50 years. Congratulations on your momentous occasion! I look forward
to seeing you during Reunion 2019.
Sincerely,
Mary Schmidt Campbell
350 Spelman Lane SW · Box 616 · Atlanta, GA 30314-4399 · www.spelman.edu
