With Gratitude & Reflection
Making connections, inspiring fellowship, and building community are the core values of the BU Women’s Guild. As Boston University’s First Lady and BUWG Honorary President, it has been my heartfelt mission to celebrate and uplift our members, as well as uphold these values.
As my formal role as Boston University’s First Lady comes to a close, I want to extend a warm thank you to the BU Women’s Guild, its membership and volunteers. When I look back on the friendships I’ve developed, the connections I’ve made and helped to broker, and the impact of our collective fundraising efforts, I feel blessed to have served as Honorary President.
As with any great organization, you get out of it, what you put into it. In my case, I’ve gotten so much more out of BUWG than I have ever put in. I am truly grateful for past, present and future members for your friendship, dedication, and hard work. And special thanks to those who serve or have served in leadership roles in BUWG. You are the captains of our journey, and your guidance and commitment have led to the success of the BU Women’s Guild.
During the recent BUWG celebration event held in my honor, I received the most beautiful gift: a photo album with your personal reflections. 
It is a very touching summary of my walk through our mutual history along with all of the portraits of the remarkable BUWG boards. I am humbled and gratified to read the remarks that many of you shared as they truly reflect what I was trying to accomplish in the role as your Honorary President. If organizations had DNA, the BUWG would be my complete match.
Reflections
As a newcomer to the University in 2005, the Women’s Guild instantly became my BU “home”. Early in my tenure, I recognized the value of a welcoming handshake and the importance of community building. Perhaps this is in my Texas genes, but creating a warm and welcoming environment is something that I’ve always worked hard to do. With a nickname of “Match.com”, I pride myself in finding relevant connections for BU faculty, staff, and students, and those new to Boston. Building and maintaining broad networks are important for personal wellbeing as well as professional success, and BUWG is, first and foremost, a broad network of talented, motivated, and caring women.
“Building and maintaining broad networks are important for personal wellbeing as well as professional success,
and BUWG is, first and foremost, a broad network of talented, motivated, and caring women.”
Over the past 18 years, I am particularly proud of three major accomplishments for the BUWG. The first is the establishment of the Women’s Guild Endowment fund in 2016 in honor of the Guild’s 60th Anniversary. This enabled the Women’s Guild to double the number of awards made each year. Beyond supporting fellowship efforts and professional network development, my role at BU has provided me with opportunities to create cross-campus connections and elevate the Guild’s philanthropic efforts.
The second and third accomplishments are closely linked. In 2019 the Women’s Council and the Women’s Guild merged. The fruit of this partnership prompted the sale of the Fisk House, a cooperative residence for women graduate students enrolled at Boston University, and spurred its move from Commonwealth Avenue to Bay State Road. The Bay State Road Fisk House was opened in 2021 enabling the Women’s Guild members a chance to integrate activities with the Fisk House residents. The Fisk House endowment and Council funds, now under the management of the Women’s Guild, were used to award $135,000 scholarships in 2023, and provided $150,000 of housing support to the new Fisk House residents.
Although I will be stepping down as the Honorary President this summer, I am forever committed to BUWG mission and will continue to honor that commitment as a “retired” member of the Guild. I invite all BU women faculty and staff to join the Women’s Guild to help us multiply our impact on the students and BU community.
Photo Memories
Video montage shared at the reception to honor Dr. Beverly Brown and photo collage of the event itself.
