By Amy Amatangelo ’91
They came with their mothers. They brought their sisters.
They arrived with yoga mats. Former classmates reconnected.
And new friendships were forged.
On April 6, over 80 women representing every year since
Holy Cross became a coeducational institution gathered at
the Henderson House in Weston, Mass., for “Holy Cross
Women: United in Body, Mind & Spirit.”
The committee of nine alumnae could not have dreamed up
a more rewarding day when it first met in late September
2001. Inspired by the successful event held by the women
alumnae in New York, the planning committee set out to plan
a day “that allowed us to get to know each other as
both women and Holy Cross graduates,” says Cathy Angelini ’77,
chair of the committee. Since this was the inaugural event,
the committee was unsure of what to expect. The members soon
realized, as attendance far exceeded the goal, that Holy
Cross women had been waiting for an event like this. “I
decided to attend the event because I have always wanted
to be more involved with Holy Cross alumni. I was attracted
by the fact that work/family balance was going to be a topic—as
a lawyer with a toddler, this topic is an obsession for me,” says
Maura Murphy ’86.
The day began with a talk by Carole Fontaine, an internationally
recognized scholar and professor of biblical history and
theology at Andover Newton Theological School. A well-known
lecturer on prayer, healing and feminist spirituality, Fontaine
presented a talk on how women have been portrayed historically
in the Bible and other ancient documents and the implications
for women today. “The guest speaker was wonderful. I
can’t wait to get her new book,” says Moira McLaughlin ’79.
For the second part of the afternoon, attendees chose between
an interactive discussion with Fontaine or a yoga class led
by Tammy Nuenighoff. Both options proved popular, and the
yoga class spilled out of its original location and into
the lobby of the Henderson House. Many alumnae attended their
first yoga class and were inspired to take more. Jan Clifford-Murphy ’79
was so enthused that she had enrolled in her own yoga program
by the end of the week. “I loved the combination of
academics, exercise and personal sharing of experiences,” says
Clifford-Murphy.
For many, the highlight of the day was the four alumnae
panel titled “A Balancing Act.” The panelists included
Macrina Hjerpe ’81, Cynthia White ’95, Beth Manning
LaLiberte ’82, and Joanne Ferrucci Sullivan ’79.
Their frank and honest discussions about the challenges of
balancing careers, family, friendships and personal time
were a fitting end to a special and memorable day.
“Despite their different ages and life experiences,
the importance of family, children and loved ones was the
common thread for each panelist,” says Angelini. “The
panelists were honest, real, humorous, tender, courageous
and generous. You could not have planned a better combination
of speakers,” says Clifford-Murphy.
The day concluded with a reception that went well beyond
the intended closing. “I left there feeling so proud
that I am a Holy Cross alumna,” says Ferrucci Sullivan. “It’s
so good to know that there are so many others out there that
experience the same joys and heartaches.”
As women shared their thoughts on the day and munched on
hors d’oeuvres, attendees expressed their hopes that
this gathering will become an annual occurrence. “The
participants lingered, left smiling, and asking when the
next event will happen,” Angelini says.
Amy Amatangelo ’91 is a free-lance writer from Newton,
Mass.
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