President’s Blog

In Loving Memory of Merrill Hakim

As members of the Board of the Alumnae Association of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, we have more precious memories of Merrill than we can list here.  Merrill was an active, contributing member of our Board for multiple terms, eventually serving as President and remaining active as First Vice President.  Our leadership skills were sharpened by her mentorship and friendship as Merrill contributed to our most important initiatives.  She remained active through health … Read More

Remembering Evelyn Denenberg Richman

Evelyn Denenberg Richman passed away peacefully from complications of a stroke on January 17, 2018, at the age of 87. She was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Rose Denenberg; her brother, Simon Denenberg; and her beloved husband, Sandy Richman. She is survived by her son, Barry (Deborah) and daughter, Jeanne (Carol-Ann). She was Bubbie Bubbles to Sarah and Jacob. Evelyn’s passions were her family, the Phillies (she threw out a first pitch on … Read More

Reflections: 2017 Annual Meeting Luncheon: Educate a Girl, Change the World

Alumnae and invited guests attended the 128th Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon held April 22nd at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. The theme, “Educate a Girl: Change the World,” promoted and celebrated the investment in girls’ education. We gathered and the fellowship was rich This year, attendees were greeted by a new addition, a spectacular new backdrop giving the luncheon a red-carpet ambiance. Opening the luncheon were words of praise for our Alma Mater … Read More

The Future Is Now

To accomplish the goals of our strategic plan, we’ve updated our membership infrastructure to take advantage of new technology.  In a phased implementation, the Alumnae Association is updating our website and membership portal.  The new platform gives us a centralized dashboard for 90% of our activities, improving communication, transparency, and engagement. Here are a few of the benefits you’ll see: Manage your own member profile and contact information Manage dues payments and donations with just … Read More

Recap of the 2016 Executive Board Retreat

As you can see from the above invitation to ‘Classic Cars Under the Stars,’ we’ve already begun activating plans solidified at the most productive Executive Retreat we’ve ever convened. Yes, I know that I say that every year. It’s simply because they keep getting better. Our theme in August was “A Vision Forward,” and we raised the bar. Challenged with an aggressive retreat agenda, we completed a two-year plan for the association aligned with … Read More

Annual Luncheon Meeting 2016 : Preparing Today for GHS Girls of Tomorrow

At this year’s Annual Luncheon, we wasted no time getting down to business. There was palpable energy and camaraderie among alumnae in the beautiful Sheraton Philadelphia convention center that demonstrated our readiness to meet the challenges ahead. Here’s the video that kicked off our meeting.  I opened with… “The class of 2028 has just entered the first grade. Are we preparing for their arrival?” With an eye toward the future, the prevailing themes were … Read More

Ready, Set, Go!

With Punxsutawney Phil’s promise that Spring is around the corner, the year is well underway and so are we. February is Black History Month, which carries significant historical resonance for many members. I’m enormously proud of the legacy of African American graduates of Girls High, a heritage too rich to be contained here. From Jessie Redmon Fauset, our first African American graduate (right), to Mary Schmidt Campbell, we have many reasons to be proud. … Read More

Welcome Future Leaders!

As a new class of future leaders settles into the swing of things at Girls High, I’m reminded of the mission and goals of the Alumnae Association of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Though they may not yet fully grasp its depth and scope, these women, upon graduation in five years, will inherit the legacy we’re creating now by example. Again, I’d like to express my appreciation and respect for the enduring commitment … Read More

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