Memories, Milestones, and Momentum: 60 Years of Alumnae from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

Stephen Richard Kerbs Exhibit Area
 “In the winter of 1979, I opened the big brown envelope from Georgetown University. Inside was the offer of admission to the School of Business Administration, then called the SBA, as well as a commitment to meet the financial aid requirements that would make it possible for me to attend. That envelope was like a sliding door that opened up the possibilities for the rest of my life.” - Ann Sarnoff, B’83

The McDonough School of Business graduated its first woman in 1960, and in 2020 we celebrated the 60th anniversary of this milestone. During that time, more than 6,000 women have graduated from Georgetown McDonough. Based largely on photograph and document research using the Georgetown University Archives, the book Memories, Milestones, and Momentum: 60 Years of Alumnae from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business is a celebration of the generations of Georgetown McDonough alumnae who have excelled in fields from politics to finance to law and marketing. From 1960 on, the world has seen extensive changes in the way women engage and contribute to the field of business and to society. The stories told in this book represent only a small fraction of the school’s alumnae, but they provide an important perspective on the university’s and the school’s history, business education, and women in business more broadly. As we reflect on the past 60 years, we look to the next 60 and the impact that our future alumnae will have on the world. 

Book cover

Memories, Milestones, and Momentum: 60 Years of Alumnae from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business

More detailed about the book, Memories, Milestones, and Momentum: 60 Years of Alumnae from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, can be found here.

Typed memo about quota for women students

Memorandum from School of Business Administration Director Raymond F. Pelissier to Academic Vice President Brian A. McGrath, S.J., dictating the quota of women to be allowed into the School, Oct. 30, 1962 (GU Archives, Old Archives: Business School)

Page one of typed memo

Typed memo page 2

Memorandum from School of Business Administration Director Raymond F. Pelissier to University President Edward B. Bunn, S.J., speaking on the accomplishments of current female students, Nov. 28, 1961 (GU Archives, Old Archives: Business School)

Typed memo 1961

Memorandum from School of Business Administration Director Raymond F. Pelissier to University President Edward B. Bunn, S.J., summarizing the full-time and part-time female students, Dec. 4, 1961 (GU Archives, Old Archives: Business School)

Carbon copy of typed letter 1962, page 1

Carbon copy of typed letter 1962

Letter from University President Edward B. Bunn, S.J. to School of Business Administration Director Raymond F. Pelissier, reconfirming the policy for women’s admittance to the School, Dec. 3, 1962 (GU Archives, Old Archives: Business School)

Printed application form

Printed application form, 1973

Printed application form 2021

First page of Undergraduate Application Forms, 1963, 1972 and 2021 (McDonough School of Business)

Note the evolution in application forms over time. In 1963, the application was fairly concise with personal information and area of interest on the first page. Less than 10 years later, in 1972, the application changed drastically with only name, address, and photograph required on the first page. Fast forward to 2021, and the application has changed dramatically. One of the most glaring differences is the omission of the words “mother” and “father” which have been replaced with “parent/guardian.”

Black and white yearbook photo

Accounting Club pictured in the Protocol [East Campus yearbook], 1960 (GU Archives)

During the 1959-60 school year, Rita Zekas (B’60) served as the secretary of the Accounting Club at the School of Business Administration.

Cover of women's handbook 1962

Page 10 of  women's handbook 1962

Page 12 of women's handbook 1962

“Miss G Goes to Georgetown” handbook, 1962-1963 (GU Archives)

A handbook for female students from the 1950s and 1960s outlined codes of conduct, dorm requirements, and campus dress code.

Black and white yearbook photo

Ellen Morell (B’66) and friends celebrating graduation in front of Healy Hall, spring 1966 (McDonough School of Business)

Color photograph

Annette Shelby (B’66) at First Ladies Luncheon in the White House with then First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden (McDonough School of Business)

Acknowledgments

Curated by Ashleigh Shay (Alumni Relations Program Coordinator, McDonough School of Business), with contributions from Lauren Apicella (Associate Director of Alumni Relations, McDonough School of Business) and Sophia Morris (Communications Project Manager, McDonough School of Business)

 

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