Many voices — one vision.

Each member of the Mary Lyon Society — over 1,500 individuals and counting — has a unique story. These are stories of generosity and planning, gratitude and determination, pride and excitement. No two are the same, but they share a common thread: every Mary Lyon Society member is invested in Mount Holyoke’s future. As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Mary Lyon Society, we are proud to share the voices of some of these remarkable members.

“My Mount Holyoke education catapulted me onto a path of success I had only imagined as a kid. By including the College in my estate plans, I can keep the cycle of generosity spinning. I’m determined to ensure that future students can tap into the same life-altering opportunities that transformed my world, thanks to donors who saw potential in a first-generation college student like me.” 
—Joy Hopkins ’00, CFO and Operations Leader

“I was able to attend Mount Holyoke with a financial package funded in part by generous alums. I’ve contributed every year since my graduation, and adding Mount Holyoke to my estate plans was just a natural next step in doing for future graduates what past alums did for me.” 
—Melanie Carino ’92, Air Force Medical Service Corps (retired)

“As my husband Chris and I crafted our will, we discussed the doors that Mount Holyoke opened for me and for our daughter. I recall Chris saying, ‘Two of the most important women in my life attended Mount Holyoke. Of course we should give back to it.’” 
—Ami Horgan Campbell ’92, Chief Growth Officer at Josselyn

“What stands out most for me now, after 42 years on the faculty and 10 years to reflect on those years, is the entirety of thousands of experiences I had with Mount Holyoke College students from the large lecture hall to the small seminar room, including individual advising sessions in my office or over a cup of coffee. I am making a gift to express my appreciation to the College for all of those experiences.” 
—Robert B. Shilkret, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, whose bequest will establish the Robert B. Shilkret Endowed Faculty Chair

“In gratitude for our experiences at Mount Holyoke, my sister, Burr Grumman ’45, created a scholarship that I’m proud to support in memory of our cousin, Molly Brown ’47, through annual gifts and a bequest. This scholarship increases economic diversity to MHC, and that helps us provide an outstanding Mount Holyoke education to future leaders.” 
—Chick Grumman Ackley ’49, social worker (retired), volunteer and activist for peace and justice

“At Mount Holyoke, I learned to advocate for myself and consider opportunities, like law school, that would otherwise never have occurred to me. Mount Holyoke changed the course of my life, and I’ve chosen to leave a legacy because I want other immigrants and children of immigrants to have the kinds of empowering experiences at MHC that I did.” 
—The Honorable Yvonne Stam ’72, Hearing Office Chief Judge, Social Security Administration