Emma Willard Alumnae Profiles
Katharine Knowlton McLane, ’23
“I remember my
mother taking me to Troy in September 1921…. I remember the
Emma Willard campus, a triangle of three buildings – Sage, Slocum and
the gym with the playhouse off to one side…. I remember the thrill
of discovering a framed plaque outside the library on which were listed the
names of Madam Emma Willard’s first 12 pupils. Among them was the name
of Evelina Foster, my great-grandmother…. I remember Miss Kellas’s
occasional talks to us at study hall, in particular one on tolerance. After
stressing the vital importance of tolerance as to individuals and ideas,
she warned against the danger of too great tolerance where standards and
values are involved. I have often thought of her words of wisdom as our culture
has undergone such enormous change in recent years…. What we came to
Emma Willard for was an education. And what an education we got, not only
in facts and figures but in work study habits, so much so that we sailed
through freshman year of college with the greatest of ease.”
Sarah Schemm McDermott, ’52
After EW, Sarah
went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Smith College,
graduating magna cum laude. With a master’s in philosophy from the
University of Michigan, she could have easily become a physician and professor
like her husband. But instead, she chose a different path. Moving the family
to Hawaii in 1969. Becoming active in the Junior League and the auxiliaries
of both the Honolulu Medical Society and Hawaii State Medical Association.
Carving out a new community leadership role in the healthcare field in the
state. Changing legislation. Pioneering programs with the Salvation Army
and hospice. And defining what it means to be a community leader.
Emira “Florence” Habiby Brown, ’58
Following the 9/11 attacks, the
Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) in New York City received many
death threats. As AAFSC’s founder and executive director, Florence
now finds herself at the forefront of a critical effort: helping Arab-American
and Muslim communities present themselves and their views to mainstream American
society. But her work began long before the events of 2001. When she arrived
at EW in 1956, Florence was committed changing the traditional cultural norms
for Arab women. In 1993, she realized her vision with AAFSC – an agency
assisting new immigrants from the Arab world in adjusting and adapting to
life in the U.S. With a staff of 25 bilingual women – social workers,
psychologists, legal experts and educators – it is the only social
service organization of its kind in the New York metropolitan area.
“ This is where my life in the United States began. Emma Willard
got me started on the road to where I am now.”
Ruth A. Scovill, ’68
In her college recommendation, Ruth’s
advisor at EW noted her “considerable intellectual ability and interest,
a reliable imagination, and a responsive sense of humor.”
She went on from here to earn a B.F.A. from San Francisco Art Institute
and a master’s from California State University before launching
her career in entertainment media. A job at Nickelodeon Studios grew into
positions at Viacom and MTV Networks, and Ruth later applied her growing
skills to movie productions including Titanic and several animated films.
Buoyed by her innovative thinking and vision, today Ruth is president and
chief operating officer of Cinesite Hollywood, a pioneer in the evolution
of digital mastering technology.
“ I found a profession where I was able to take the traits that
Emma Willard found in me more than 35 years ago – that I didn’t
know I had – and allowed me to expand on them.”
Ronna Cohen, ’73
Following graduation
from EW, Ronna attended Syracuse University’s New York State
College of Forestry. Degree in hand, she became director of education for
the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and headed up the AMC Mountain Leadership
School, Winter Mountaineering School, Search and Rescue Workshops, Mountain
Medicine Workshops, and other wilderness leadership training programs. Later,
armed with both an M.B.A. and law degree from Syracuse University, she added
a briefcase to her backpack and entered the world of banking and finance.
Today, as an independent investment advisor, Ronna manages more than $80
million for families and individuals, and though a departure from the mountain
life she loves, her early training helps her “to see the forest for
the trees.” A few years ago, Ronna returned to EW to participate in
a program entitled Values & Vision: The Leadership Venture, leading a
think-tank topic “Mothers as Mentors: Leading Through Parenting,” informed
by personal experience.
“ I’m grateful for the incredible amount of support I received
at Emma Willard…. It never occurred to me that I couldn’t try
something.”
Roseanne Margaret Bell, ’82
Roseanne’s love for the skies began at an early age, when her mother,
a pilot and plane owner, took her on a flight at just seven days old. At Emma
Willard, Roseanne trained for her pilot’s license as part of her independent
study curriculum. After attending Ohio State University, she began her career
as a commercial jet pilot, flying corporate jets for companies such as Fleet
Bank, Eli Lilly, and Executive Jet International. Her clientele occasionally
have included EWS alumnae. Currently she attends Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University as she pursues a degree in aviation with minors in safety/human
factors and security/intelligence. In 1998, her desire to help the community
led her to the Adirondack Rescue Dog Association, the oldest all-volunteer
nonprofit search-and-rescue team in the U.S. After completing a rigorous three-year
training program, Roseanne and her rescue partner, a German shepherd named
Jack, have participated in numerous rescues. In addition to her aviation career
and her rescue and fund-raising efforts for ARDA, Roseanne also raises and
shows pure-bred dogs.
Amy Chiaro, ’92
Like most EW students, Amy
was involved in many activities: from volleyball and softball to choir and
trumpet lessons. But it was her work on the school newspaper that made her
realize that her professional passion was journalism. Her Practicum at radio
station WAMC led to another stint with local TV. And Amy says it was her
hands-on experience at EW that nailed a job at NBC following her graduation
from Cornell University. Amy worked as a researcher and assignments editor
for the network. And as an associate producer in the New York bureau she
covered the Northeast for Nightly News, the Today Show, and MSNBC.
“ At Emma, you really find out what you’re good at. And you’re
surrounded by people who say you can do it.”
Alicia Claire Hafner, ’93
Alicia has proudly put
to work the education, skills and desire to help others honed at EW. Upon
graduating, she traveled to Nicaragua to feed the hungry and care for the
sick, helping residents grow self-sustaining crops, and establishing a healthcare
program. A witness to unimaginable poverty and profoundly inadequate medical
resources, she has worked to remedy both. A registered nurse, Alicia works
in the ER, takes master’s classes toward becoming a nurse practitioner
and volunteers for a program that sends used bikes, computers, school and
office supplies, medical equipment and other humanitarian aid items to Central
America. Her compassion and commitment is seemingly endless: Alicia recently
raised more than $13,000 for the AIDS Foundation by gathering donations and
running a marathon in Hawaii.
