Letters to the Editor

Wellesley welcomes short letters (300 words maximum) relating to articles or items that have appeared in recent issues of the magazine. Send your remarks to the Editor, Wellesley magazine, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02481-8203, or email your comments to magazine@wellesley.edu.

Agency for the Aging

I was thrilled to see the cover of the spring 2025 magazine (“The Third Phase”) featuring a deep dive into preparing for retirement. During the three years I have worked for the New York City Department for the Aging—the country’s largest Area Agency on Aging—I have received a crash course on the very real challenges and opportunities with which older adults, their caregivers, and society are grappling.

In particular, the article responsibly discusses the longevity divide between the top and bottom halves of the income distribution. Workforce programs such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and AmeriCorps Seniors seek to provide opportunities for older adults to receive training that will give them the opportunity to shift from physically demanding jobs to work or volunteer opportunities in which they can continue to thrive and save for retirement.

Wellesley alums will agree that creating community is integral to healthy living. Retirement does not have to be the end, but an opportunity for older adults to engage and give back to their communities, through volunteering, working, or other social engagements. I encourage all alums, whether they are caregivers or older adults themselves, to look into the programs being offered by their local AAA, to take advantage of the services, and to tell their elected officials how important it is to continue to fund these vital programs. As America’s population continues to grow older, we have no choice but to ensure that our community responds to the needs of older adults and caregivers.

Jessica Rickards ’07, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Growing into Wellesley as an Alum

It was only after I started receiving and enthusiastically reading Wellesley magazine as an alum that I understood all that Wellesley stood for and where it hopes to go (student-centered building renovations, COVID resilience, enhanced career services, etc). Thank you to all the editors and contributors of this magazine for allowing me to finally grow into Wellesley.

I am eternally grateful for the privileged education I received at Wellesley on a full scholarship. My time on campus was interesting—having already lived abroad in high school, I didn’t feel international enough, and not being American, I didn’t feel American enough. The Wellesley Plus program, designed for first generation/low income students, unfortunately overlapped with my first-year mentorship group and dorm activities, making it difficult to bond with either group. I double majored and worked in both the dining services and in a lab, so most of my free time was accounted for. Most of my earned income was remitted home to assist my family in Uganda, so I stayed on campus alone most breaks, unable to afford a plane ticket. I shopped at the “Unique Boutique” (Wellesley Students’ Aid Society clothes closet). What on earth was competitive Hooprolling for, I would wonder. For four years, I felt lost but grateful. It took a while, but I finally feel the true magic of Wellesley, and I couldn’t be prouder to be an alum.

Karen “Kemi” Kemirembe ’12, State College, Pa.

Compliments to El Table

Recently, I looked over the winter 2024 issue and found the recipe for the Monstah Sandwich, served at El Table. Kudos to the students who have created a new taste treat! I did one on my George Foreman Grill, which, in the absence of a panini maker, works quite well. I enjoyed my Monstah very much.

Martha L. Fox ’63, Allentown, Pa.

Swimmer ID

On page 51 of the winter 2025 issue is a photo of the swim team in the 1970s, with the note “exact year unknown.” I can help narrow that time frame. That is me (I’m 99.9% sure), standing by starting block 3, sticking out my tongue. I was at Wellesley from September 1972 to May 1976. I wish I could remember what the specific event was. Also, I have no recollection of men swimming with us. But there’s clearly a man in a racing suit in the photo. Unfortunately, I don’t remember or recognize anyone else in the photo.

Amy Taswell ’76, Minnetonka, Minn.