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ANHW reaches milestone with “Outstanding Alumni Community Award” from the Harvard Alumni Association
October 2024
ANHW reached a milestone recently when it received the Outstanding Alumni Community Award. The unexpected Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) honor recognized the membership base of 12,000 Harvard graduates spanning continents and generations. It also recognized the SIG's ability to create "inclusive space for organic conversations."
HAA noted the work of Joan Schwartz, PhD '71. As president, Schwartz guided ANHW's global reach until 2024. The current president is Linda Rossetti, MBA ‘91. She succeeded Schwartz earlier this year.
Of particular note, HAA recognized Schwartz's approach to relationships and her special ability to connect with each ANHW leader. The special attention warmed the hearts of those who know her and the amount of work she did.
The moment was overwhelming to those who represented the organization at the event.
“ANHW was a lifestyle, a commitment, and a true belief that women could live the life they wanted and chose.”
ANHW received the award at the annual Alumni Leadership Conference on Oct. 24. HAA recognized its significant efforts to support local education.
"I wish I could fully share the feeling of hearing the Harvard Alumni Association speak about the importance of our work and then receive a standing applause from alumni leaders from across the globe,” said Casey Fee, HSPH '11. “So much of our work involves long hours without a crystal clear line of sight to improve equity for women. It was fulfilling to have our work recognized so publicly and by our peers. I appreciate having such an opportunity to represent ANHW. Thank you."
The decision to highlight the work of Schwartz was particularly important to others who worked on a weekly basis with her throughout her tenure.
"I liked to say for a long time that I had a special relationship with Joan," said Lora-Marie Bernard, ALM '18, corporate board member. "Then, on my first Presidents' call for the DSGs and Chapters, I was a bit shocked. There were probably 11 other women in ANHW leadership from across the globe discussing their relationship with Joan, the work she was doing to support their efforts to get ANHW work done, and I suddenly realized I was not special at all. All of us had a relationship with Joan and the person who was special was her."
Acey Welch, AB ‘53, was delighted to see a shared vision become realized. She was one of the ANHW founders with Schwartz and Jess Pesce, Ed.M. ‘11.
“I felt most blessed to see my 2012 dream become a reality, thanks to our exceptional board members and most important for the vision, talent, and tireless efforts of the immediate past president Joan Schwartz, PhD ’71,” she said. “With our ‘mission to empower women around the world,’ let’s honor this award as we continue to develop a larger and stronger ‘global organization of women who learn from—and celebrate—one another.’”
Bernard remembered that Schwartz once counted to her the number of ANHW leaders who had given birth and had gotten married in a given year.
"One day I was in the car with her and she just began telling me who had babies," she said.
"I was astounded at how invested she was in our lives and our well-being. I realized that I was riding with someone who didn't think ANHW leadership was a resume builder. ANHW was a lifestyle, a commitment, and a true belief that women could live the life they wanted and chose."
Freya Dai, MBA ‘22, was delighted to see the founders recognized for their efforts and their continuing involvement in ANHW’s future.
“This award is such a meaningful recognition of the founding ladies, as well as the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly for years to bring women together, amplify their voices and support them, " she said. “Being part of the DC chapter, which has become one of the largest chapters in the U.S., with its vibrant, multigenerational community, fills me with pride and determination to help our network continue to grow and empower alumnae in even more ways.”
ANHW received the award at the annual Alumni Leadership Conference on Oct. 24 at the Spangler Center. The Harvard Club of San Antonio also received the same award. HAA recognized its significant efforts to support local education.
