Wellesley made that possible with its aid-blind admission and generous financial aid. Simply going to college was structurally transformative for me and for future generations of my family—I and my children have all had the opportunity to pursue professional careers, whereas earlier generations of my family had much more limited options. My Wellesley education, moreover, was especially transformative. At Wellesley I received a rigorous college education in an environment in which women are valued and expected to excel. I carry that mindset and expectation with me into every endeavor. My appreciation for my Wellesley experience has grown over the years, and has recently been reinforced by my reconnection with the college while my daughters attended (Margaret '06 and Avery '16).
I was a first generation college student.