For Alumnae
Alumnae Awards
Chatham Hall is pleased to honor our incredible alumnae through a variety of awards. Please reach out to alumnae@chathamhall.org to learn more about each honor or to nominate an alumna for an award.
Distinguished Alumna Award
Established in 2010, the Distinguished Alumna Award honors graduates whose achievements, service, and leadership exemplify the values of Chatham Hall. Recipients reflect lives of purpose and impact across a wide range of professions, communities, and causes.
Eligibility and Criteria
Nominees are Chatham Hall graduates who demonstrate one or more of the following:
Nominees are Chatham Hall graduates who demonstrate one or more of the following:
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Notable achievement in a professional field
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Remarkable service to community, state, nation, or world
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Significant contributions to the arts, sciences, or humanitarian efforts
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A deep appreciation for and connection to the Chatham Hall legacy
Anyone may nominate an alumna for this award.
Selection and Presentation
Recipients are selected by a committee of the Alumnae Council in collaboration with the President of the Alumnae Council, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and the Rector. The award is typically presented during Reunion Weekend, often when the recipient is celebrating a reunion year. Honorees are invited to engage with students and the broader community during their visit.
You can learn more about and nominate a Distinguished Alumna here.
Distinguished Alumna Award Recipients
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2025: Frazier Millner Armstrong ’77
Read MoreAfter graduating from Chatham Hall in 1977, Frazier Millner Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and launched a dynamic career rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and service. -
2024: Venita Fields '71, Board Director & Financial Management
After graduating from Chatham Hall in 1971, Venita Fields attended Northwestern University from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts in history. She began her finance career at the Continental Illinois National Bank before receiving her Master of Business Administration while working full-time at Citibank.Read More -
2023: Dr. Sarah Dababnah '97, Professor & Advocate
Sarah Dababnah ‘97, Ph.D., MPH, MSW attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Johns Hopkins University where she earned several advanced degrees. Dr. Dababnah has made a global impact in the realm of health and well-being of families of individuals with intellectual and developmental differences through practice, policy, and research.Read More -
2022: Sherley Young '57, Teacher & Community Leader
Read MoreYoung, who received her B.A. in history from Smith College and her M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania, has dedicated her life to empowering women and has more than 50 years of teaching experience and extensive experience on educational boards as well as as a visiting lecturer. She has also led 14 international trips for Habitat for Humanity including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Nepal. -
2021: Dr. Martha Ann Keels ’75, Pediatric Dentist
After graduating from Chatham Hall, Dr. Martha Ann Keels ’75 completed her undergraduate education at Duke University majoring in chemistry. She received her dental degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC) and was the recipient of the NIH Dentist-Scientist Award, which funded specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry and PhD training in Epidemiology at UNC. Subsequently, Dr. Keels established the Pediatric Dental program at Duke University and served as the Division Chief of Pediatric Dentistry at Duke Children’s Hospital for 25 years.Read More -
2020: Jane Sherron DeHart ’54, Historian & Scholar
Jane Sherron DeHart ’54 is a lifelong scholar, celebrated historian, and one of the most influential figures in the field of women’s history today. Since graduating from Chatham Hall, she has blazed a path for women both in the classroom and out—pioneering women’s studies programs and shaping our understanding of the role women have played in the cultural and historical fabric of our nation.Read More -
2020: Claudia Emerson ’75, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet & 2008 Virginia Poet Laureate
A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and the 2008 Virginia Poet Laureate, Claudia Emerson ’75 was an ardent ambassador for Chatham Hall and celebrated her love for the School through her poetry and advocacy. Her ties to Chatham Hall run deep. In addition to her time as a student, she was the academic dean and head of the English department from 1996-1998 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1998-2004. She shared her love of writing as the Writer in Residence in its inaugural year in 2003-2004 and again in 2008-2009.Read More -
2019: Laura Brown Cronin ’72, Business & Finance
After graduating from Chatham Hall, Laura Brown Cronin ’72 earned a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She spent her professional career in corporate finance with her first eight years in a variety of financial roles for two different high technology companies. In 1986 she was named Treasurer, Executive Committee Member for Millipore Corporation, a Fortune 1000 company.Read More -
2019: Ann Blodget Holberton ’69, Finance & Community Advocacy
Ann Blodget Holberton's 2019 Reunion Remarks:Read More"You are all distinguished alums. We have classmates in medical andmental health, teaching, art, law, community and public service, business, government and more. I applaud you all. -
2018: Kathy Reynolds Chandler ’68, Non-Profit Founder
Kathy Reynolds Chandler ’68 was inducted into the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame in 2013. This prestigious award spotlights “individuals who have had an influential role in disabled sports as well as athletes who have excelled in disabled sports.” In 2015 she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Waterville Valley Resort.Read More -
2018: Helene "Lanie" Zimmermann Hill ’46, Radiation Biologist
Dr. Helene “Lanie” Zimmermann Hill ’46, retired Professor of Radiology from Rutgers University, is noted for her research in radiobiology of melanoma as it relates to radiation resistance and photobiology of melanin as it relates to pigmentation.Read More -
2017: Kate Bulkley ’77, Journalist
Kate Bulkley ’77 is an award-winning print and television journalist, conference curator, on-stage moderator and media commentator who has lived and worked out of London, England, since 1990.Read More -
2017: Sarah Morris ’72, Archaeologist
Read MoreSarah Morris ’72, is Steinmetz Professor of Classical Archaeology and Material Culture in the Department of Classics and the Costen Institute for Archaeology at UCLA. She has held a faculty position there since 1989. Prior to that, she was on the faculty in the Department of Classics at Yale University, where, among other things, she was Director of Undergraduate Studies in Archaeology. Back in the 1970’s there were not many women in higher positions of academia, so all apart from her impressive accomplishments, she has been able to be a role model for other women. -
2016: Gloria Bond Clunie ’71, Playwright
Award winning playwright, director, and educator, Gloria Bond Clunie ’71 visited Chatham Hall April 15-22, 2016. After being honored as Chatham Hall’s 2016 Distinguished Alumna during Reunion Weekend, and an inspiring address to alumnae and other Reunion guests, Ms. Clunie remained on campus for her tenure as Writer in Residence.Read More -
2015: Nina Johnson Botsford ’72, Community Activist
Nina Johnson Botsford ’72 is a true philanthropist who exemplifies the spirit of caring and is a vibrant example of the values of Chatham Hall: honor, integrity, spirituality, and service to others. She has had a meaningful and powerful impact on every community she has touched.Read More -
2014: Polly Wheeler Guth ’44, Philanthropist
Through personal leadership and the foundations that she and her family established, Polly Wheeler Guth '44 has set about to “improve society and the quality of life, locally, nationally, and internationally (through constructive systemic change).” Among her achievements Polly is a founding member of the New York Women’s Foundation, which assists low-income women and girls in need of critical services and economic independence. Her foundations have supported organic farming and sustainable food system initiatives, international women’s health and human rights programs, and job opportunities for those disconnected from the workforce.Read More -
2014: Povy LaFarge Bigbee ’51, Rancher & Agriculture
The title of Povy LaFarge Bigbee’s speech to a packed audience of Chatham Hall girls in 2008 was: “Povy’s Helpful Hints for Homesteading in New Mexico or Did You Run Across a Good-Looking Cowboy in College? Go Ahead and Marry Him!”Read More -
2013: Leila McConnell Daw ’58, Artist
Leila McConnell Daw's ’58 artwork has been featured across the U.S. and Europe. Her public work can be seen as permanent installations at Bradley International Airport, Hartford; the New Haven Public Library; Northwestern CT Community College, and the St. Louis light rail system. Her work is in the collections of the Cincinnati Art Museum, DeCordova Museum, Boston Public Library, St. Louis Art Museum and more.Read More -
2013: Frances “Hallam” Hurt ’63, Neonatologist
Frances “Hallam” Hurt ’63 is an attending neonatologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research and work have focused on the effects of maternal substance use on immediate and long-term outcomes for children, understanding poverty and other complex factors that affect the lives of poor and inner-city children.Read More -
2012: Anne L. Bryant ’67, Educator
Anne Bryant ’67 was the executive director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) for more than 15 years. The association reaches over 14,700 school districts involving 95,000 school board members. She directed a 130-person staff in the association’s mission to represent state associations of school boards and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. and advocates for equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership.Read More -
2011: Diane Heiskell Schetky ’57, Forensic Psychiatrist
Dr. Diane Heiskell Schetky ’57 was, as she likes to say, “a late bloomer.” After Chatham Hall, Diane went Sarah Lawrence College where she majored in Studio Art and then to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine where she studied Psychiatry and completed a fellowship in child psychiatry.Read More -
2010: Elinor R. Greene II ’70, Minister
Read MoreElinor "Nellie" Greene '70 graduated from Chatham Hall in 1970. Nellie was an athlete, a singer, an actor, and a school leader. After a debilitating accident en route to college, Nellie sustained extensive brain damage and was left physically handicapped, legally blind, and unable to speak or write by hand. -
2010: Penelope Perkins Wilson ’41, Philanthropist
An avid and talented artist while at Chatham Hall, Penelope "Penny" Perkins Wilson ’41 attended Bennington College to study art and architecture. She then continued her education by studying art at Moore College of Art and Design and spent a year studying architecture at Harvard University.Read More
Use the dots above to learn more about each of our distinguished alumnae.
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The Leader on the Rise Award recognizes emerging alumnae leaders who are making meaningful contributions early in their professional or civic lives. This award celebrates innovation, initiative, and a strong connection to Chatham Hall’s mission and values.
Eligibility and Criteria
Nominees must:
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Be a member of the Chatham Hall Alumnae Association
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Have graduated within the past 20 years
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Demonstrate creativity, achievement, or innovation in a profession, project, or cause
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Embody the values of honor, respect, and integrity
Anyone may nominate an alumna for this award.
Selection and Presentation
Recipients are selected by members of the Alumnae Council in collaboration with the President of the Alumnae Council, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and the Rector. The award is presented during Reunion Weekend, and recipients are encouraged to engage with students and share their leadership journey with the community.
You can learn more about and nominate a Leader on the Rise alumna here.
Recipients are selected by members of the Alumnae Council in collaboration with the President of the Alumnae Council, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and the Rector. The award is presented during Reunion Weekend, and recipients are encouraged to engage with students and share their leadership journey with the community.
You can learn more about and nominate a Leader on the Rise alumna here.
Other Alumnae Awards
List of 5 items.
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Leader on the Rise Award
The Chatham Hall Leader on the Rise Award was established in 2021 and recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves through creativity, achievement, and/or innovation either in their profession or through commitment to an issue, project, or cause.
You can learn more about and nominate a Leader on the Rise here.
Past Recipients
Kate Thomas '08
Jennifer Howard ‘10
Susanna Hogg ‘15 -
Boyce Lineberger Award
The Boyce Linberger Award is given to an alumna who exerts a longstanding influence on the affairs of Chatham Hall.
Past RecipientsMaris Thompson '58Priscilla Kirkpatrick '62Katherine Haroldson '75Sarah Longpré '84Jane Garnett '73Linda Mars '78Barbara Supplee '53Constance West '66Patricia Frederick '57Lucy Maish '68Mary Freed '86
Lisa Moore '59
Mary Crary '45 -
Ellie MacVeagh Award
The Ellie MacVeagh Award is given to an alumna who best represents the School’s goals for fellow constituents.
Past RecipientsMary Kay Karzas ’71
Pace Emmons '77Julia Johnson '69Mary Oakes '69Stacey Goodwin '83Terri Martinez '85Erin Conrad '81Dandridge Ince '56Julia Kashkashian '75Caroline Pearce '76Joan Pittman '55Ellen Rublee '50Virginia Phillips '93Sarah Collie '85
Patricia Frederick '57
Ellen Lovejoy '50
Kerrington Molhoek '93 -
Mildred Harrison Dent Award
The Mildred Harrison Dent Award is given to an alumna who demonstrates an enthusiastic long-term commitment and devotion to the ideals of Chatham Hall.
Past RecipientsAnnette Kirby ’80
Sarah Dabney Gillespie '77Robin Stuart '69Lucy Barrett '53Eleanor Earle '46Kathryn Jacobs '68Lee Page '59Margaret Walker '58Ellen Lovejoy '50
Maris Thompson '58
Sarah Longpré '84 -
Nancy Gwathmey Award
The Nancy Gwathmey Award is given to an alumna who demonstrates superior skills in fundraising.
Past RecipientsJulia Kashkashian ’75Muffin Grant ’66
Martha Martin '55Tracy Lively '84Joanna Edgell '93Laurel Fountain '93Anna Robinson '93Kerrington Molhoek '93M.E. Freeman '70Walker Jones '70Alida Bryant '76Nancy Harris '50Marian Larkin '65Gail Malin '53Patty McCormack '72Alden Shriver '49Mary Spencer '74Margaret Topping '48Carolyn Yawars '66Mary Crary '45Robin Hadley '57Lisa Moore '59
Stacey Goodwin '83
Patricia Frederick '57
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Boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 in the Episcopal tradition.