As the AADC celebrates 100 years and forges our bright future, we recognize the contributions of so many people to the growth and success of our organization and its ability to connect alumnae and friends. Our Legacy of Leaders series highlights just some of our many dedicated volunteers that have been indispensable in getting the AADC to this magnificent milestone. They all have established an enormous legacy of leadership that will ensure the future of our sisterhood. Let’s celebrate them!

Lora L. Fong ‘79 has remained loyal to her Rutgers and AADC roots over the years and her dedication and service as an alumna has been repeatedly recognized. Read our story about Lora published on April 26, 2023.

Kathi Love ’75 has served the AADC with enthusiasm and expertise and has had a positive impact on countless alumnae. She had been a long-time donor when she decided to take an active role working with our organization, and the AADC has benefited from her expertise. Read our story about Kathi published on March 30, 2023.

Many alumnae may know Shireen K. Lewis ’86, Ph.D., as an enthusiastic leader of the AADC Washington, D.C., Regional Connection Group, where she has welcomed alumnae to various gatherings and museum outings in the area. She has also dedicated her career to efforts to improve the lives of women and girls through her mentorship, activism and scholarship. Read our story about Shireen published on December 8, 2022.

Yamiesha Bell ’15 has provided dedicated service as an active volunteer and young alumnae leader. She brings a spirit of enthusiasm and shares her time, talents and treasures with our AADC community. Read our story about Yamiesha, published on October 19, 2022.

Amanda A. Hugelmeyer ’04, Chair of the upcoming 2023 AADC 100th Anniversary Women’s Conference: Women Moving Forward, has demonstrated dedicated service to the AADC for nearly two decades. She brings her enthusiasm and skills as a valued volunteer and leader to a wide range of AADC events and programs. Read our story about Amanda, published on September 29, 2022.

The AADC proudly welcomed the Honorable Cheri Beasley ’88 as its keynote speaker at the AADC Proud History, Bright Future 100th Anniversary Gala in June. Cheri shares her time, talents and treasures with our alumnae community, including with the AADC Wilmington, North Carolina, Regional Connection Group. Read our story about Cheri, published on August 17, 2022.

Alumnae like Carol Hansmann Hamlin ’61 are the heart and soul of the AADC. Her generosity and example inspire our sisterhood. Read our story about Carol, published on July 7, 2022.

Over a distinguished 30-year career and a life-long commitment to equality and social justice, C. Maxene Vaughters-Summey ’70 has impacted countless others as an activist, community leader, educator and mentor. Read our story about Maxene, published on June 15, 2022.

When it comes to focused leadership, extraordinary vision, communications expertise and unwavering commitment, Tina B. Gordon ’72 is a role model in our community.  She shares her talents tirelessly, for which we are grateful. Read our story about Tina, published on June 9, 2022.

There is perhaps no one in our alumnae community who demonstrates more passion and enthusiasm for the AADC than current President Jeanne M. Fox ’75. She never misses the opportunity to voice her support of the AADC and helps to recruit leaders and spread the word about our great alumnae association to people throughout the state. Read our story about Jeanne, published on May 25, 2022.

Margaret A. “Marty” Gillis ’75 is a trailblazer, dynamic businesswoman and community leader who contributes to the strength of our AADC community in countless ways.  Read our story about Marty, published on May 11, 2022.

For nearly two decades, Lauren Nathan-LaRusso ’03 has shared her acumen as an attorney and her dedication as AADC volunteer and as Vice President of the Class of 2003. Read our story about Lauren, published on April 28, 2022.

Keen financial savvy, organization management expertise and a heartfelt devotion to her alumnae association are all attributes of Ann Darby ’77. For more than four decades, Ann has shared her financial acumen and valuable insights as a member of the AADC Investment Committee. Read our story about Ann, published April 13, 2022.

The heart and soul of any organization rests with its leaders and volunteers. Since her graduation in 1961, Isabel Goll Drzewiecki has been both for the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College. You can either find her chairing a committee or going through the wealth of memorabilia that provides enrichment to our nearly 100-year-old history. Read our story about Isabel, published March 31, 2022.

When Valerie L. Anderson ’81 became Executive Director of the AADC in March 2011, she continued a long tradition of exceptional alumnae who have served in that capacity. Valerie brought to the AADC her considerable professional experience along with great business acumen. Read our story about Valerie, published March 16, 2022.

Inez Phillips Durham ’57, Psy.D., LCSW, distinguished herself in a lifelong career as an educator, psychologist and community advocate. Inez is a familiar face to Douglass alumnae, attending many AADC events and staying connected to her alumnae friends and classmates. Click here to read more about Inez in our story published on February 23, 2022.

The AADC is fortunate to have Linda J. Caldwell Epps ’73, Ph.D., who currently serves as Vice President for Development on the AADC Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive Committee. Through a 40-year career, she has been dedicated to public service and to leading the charge of diversity and equity in higher education. Click here to read more about Linda in our story published on February 10, 2022.

E is for excellence, educational expertise, and extern sponsor extraordinaire, all descriptions of Rosemarie Truglio ’83, a passionate supporter of the AADC and Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop. Click here to read more about Rosemarie in our story published on January 26, 2022.

Kathleen Whitehead Ludwig ’75 is an accomplished, generous and supportive alumna whose career and community achievements set a high standard for us all. Click here to read our January 13, 2022 story about Kathy.

Karen McLane Torian ’73 is an outstanding leader who has demonstrated her commitment to the AADC by devoting countless volunteer hours and sharing her expertise on committees, at events and programs, and as an active member of the Class of 1973. Click here to read our story about Karen published on December 23, 2021.

Sharon Matlofsky Karmazin ’67 has been a valued member and leader of our alumnae community. She has impacted countless lives through her distinguished career in library leadership, philanthropy and as an award-winning Broadway producer. Click here to read our story about Sharon published on December 2, 2021.

Flora Buchbinder Cowen ’59 has devoted countless hours to serving the AADC. An enthusiastic member of the Class of 1959, she is always happy to break out into her class chant, “We’re great, we’re fine, we’re the class of ’59!” Click here to read about Flora in our story published on November 18, 2021.

Alice Herman ’70 is the kind of leader everyone would like to have in an organization. She has devoted countless volunteer hours and served as a thoughtful and engaged member of the AADC, on committees and as an active member of her class. Click here to read about Alice in our story published on November 4, 2021.

Evelyn Sermons Field ’49 was an accomplished educator, a dedicated alumna and an outstanding community leader. Her commitment to her class and to the AADC, to Douglass and to Rutgers University has been recognized with numerous awards and honors she received from the AADC and other organizations. Click here to read about Evelyn in our story published on October 21, 2021.

Joyce Kovatch Albers-Schonberg ’65 brought her unique perspective as a scientist and an investment analyst to her work as a leader of the AADC. We remember her with fondness and honor her legacy as we mark the third anniversary of her passing on October 6, 2018. With her passing, the AADC lost a dedicated and generous leader whose loyalty to the AADC remains exemplary.  Click here to read about Joyce in our story published on October 6, 2021.

It is hard to find anyone with deeper roots to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, to Douglass College itself and to Rutgers than M. Wilma Harris ’66. She has provided leadership, vision and support to the AADC, her class and our alumnae community through her generosity and dedication over more than five decades. Click here to read about Wilma in our story published on September 23, 2021.

Regina Best Heldrich ’42, who passed away in 2014, provided leadership and vision to the AADC. As a graduate with a degree in chemistry, she felt strongly about women being prepared for careers in the sciences. Her generosity and support of the sciences continues to make an impact. Click here to read about Regina in our story published on September 9, 2021.

An outspoken activist as a student, Sheila Kelly Hampton ‘70 continues to have her voice heard even after 50+ years of working with the AADC. She has shared her political savvy, crafted messages, secured resources, rallied alumnae and garnered support and publicity. Click here to read about Sheila in our story published on August 26, 2021.

Emma Andrews Warren ’49 became a trailblazer and a pioneer as she made history early on as one of the first African-American undergraduates to live on campus at what was then the New Jersey College for Women (NJC). Today, Emma is believed to be the oldest known living African-American Douglass alumna. Click here to read about Emma in our story published on August 12, 2021.

The name of the late Adelaide Marcus Zagoren ‘40 is synonymous with the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College. Her visionary leadership as Executive Director of the AADC for 26 years shaped the organization into what it is today. Click here to read about Adelaide in our story published on July 29, 2021.

The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC was awarded the AADC Medal for its dedication and support to the AADC and our alumnae sisterhood. We are grateful for their historic work and we treasure the bonds we continue to share. Click here to read about the Federation, published on July 8, 2021.

Victoria Dabrowski Schmidt ’42 has been a loyal supporter of the AADC since her graduation in 1942. Her leadership and generosity over the last 75 years have helped the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College serve alumnae. She is passionate in her support of the AADC. Click here to read about Victoria in our story published on June 24, 2021.