The African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC) celebrated its 13th Triennial April 9-11, hosting nearly 100 alumnae/i of the College. While the event was virtual, Karen Roberts Turner ’86 echoed what many AAAVC members expressed throughout the weekend: “The virtual platform actually allowed some alums to participate who otherwise might not have been able to travel. I was delighted to reconnect with so many of the people who made my Vassar experience as a student and as an alum so incredibly meaningful,” she said.

Vassar College’s ALANA Center, which provides resources and programs for students of color, will be named for Professor Jeh Vincent Johnson, the pioneering African American architect and former Vassar faculty member who designed it. President Elizabeth H. Bradley made the announcement as part of the recent African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC) Triennial, which celebrates the contributions of African American alumnae/i, students, faculty, administrators, and staff of Vassar College. Johnson died in January.

This year, the alumnae/i association, AAVC, turns 150. Throughout 2021, the College will be celebrating this anniversary by highlighting a few of Vassar’s most notable alumnae/i in architecture, arts, business, education, entertainment, healthcare, humanitarian efforts, law, social justice, and technology. For Earth Month, we focus on two alumnae who have dedicated themselves to bettering the planet’s environment while creating opportunity for all.

Cathy Bradford becomes the first woman and first person of color to assume the presidency of Vassar’s chapter of the Service Employees International Union.

In a matter of months, the class of 2021, a student body literally plagued by uncertainty, will set out for adulthood. One certainty, though, is that Poughkeepsie local and entrepreneur Jessica O. Matthews will deliver the 157th commencement address.

Vassar has long appreciated the richness that diversity engenders, and has often had deep involvement in movements for social change. But we are committed to doing more.