As we countdown to our exciting AADC 100th Anniversary in June, 2022, our “Legacy of Leaders” series highlights and celebrates just some of the many people whose dedicated work and leadership will ensure the future of our sisterhood.

Published on November 4, 2021

Alice Herman ’70 is the kind of leader everyone would like to have in an organization. Knowledgeable, collaborative and efficient, Alice has been trusted to take on some major AADC responsibilities as a volunteer leader and has handled them with great skill and results. 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. Her loyalty, enthusiasm and service over more than four decades have been invaluable to the AADC.

Alice served with distinction as Co-Chair of the Campaign for Douglass: Innovative Education, Women’s Leadership, the most ambitious fundraising initiative in Douglass’ history, which ended in 2014 after raising $42 million and exceeding its goal. She brought wisdom to all aspects of the Campaign, providing insightful direction and strategies at the highest levels and as a member of the Campaign Leadership Committee. A lead donor and tireless supporter, she was integral to reaching the long-held dream of building a new Living-Learning Residence Hall for the Global Village.

In 2014, Alice received the Margaret T. Corwin Award, the AADC’s highest award for service, in recognition of her dedication and leadership. In 2017, she was inducted into the AADC Society of Excellence in honor of her professional and volunteer accomplishments. She honed her skills over many years of work in the public and not-for-profit sectors, including a 20-year career at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. There she successfully tackled increasingly challenging positions, from Operations Manager at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and then at JFK International Airport, to Director of Government and Industry Affairs for Aviation, to Corporate Secretary of the Port Authority. Her final position at the Port Authority was Director of the General Services Department.

After leaving the Port Authority, Alice served as the Executive Director of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, a large synagogue, school and community services complex in New York City. She then became National Executive Director of Women’s American ORT, the major fundraising organization for worldwide job-skills training programs. Finally, she was called on to serve as Executive Director of Celebrate 350: Jewish Life in America, leading a nationwide year-long celebration that culminated in a Washington, D.C., dinner with President George W. Bush as keynote speaker.

Her passion for the AADC began shortly after graduation in 1970. Alice quickly became a consistent donor, a contributor to Class Notes, and a reunion volunteer within the first decade. While building a noteworthy career at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, she also found time to advance the AADC and be involved with Douglass students. She has served as an Extern sponsor, a speaker, and a member of the prior Campaign Committee. She has attended and hosted alumnae events. During the Deanship of Mary Hartman, Alice arranged a Port Authority cooperative foreign language training program for Douglass students.

Alice and her husband, Arthur Rubinstein, created the Alice Herman and Arthur Rubinstein Scholarship Fund In Memory of Ethel and Abe Herman. She personally meets recipients each year at the AADC’s Evening to Honor AADC Benefactors celebration. In addition, Alice and her classmate and close friend, the late Diane Gingold ’70, created an endowed scholarship, The Friendship Fund.

Alice continues to be a trusted advisor to the AADC leadership team, skilled at providing vision and sound advice no matter the situation.