The numbers would suggest they do, at least when it comes to alumni giving. Last year, alumni participation rates at many coeducational peer liberal-arts colleges exceeded that of Wellesley. Williams, Davidson, Bowdoin, and Amherst achieved participation rates of 60 percent, 60 percent, 59 percent, and 58 percent respectively, whereas Wellesley reached 49 percent. In simple terms, less than half of all Wellesley alumnae gave something—anything—to Wellesley College. At these select peer schools above, up to 6 out of 10 alumni give annually. That’s up to 20 percent more—a lot more. And to be very clear, this is not about how much one gives, but rather if one gives anything at all.

As a proud member of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association and chair of the Wellesley Fund, I often asked myself “why?” Virtually every Wellesley woman I have ever met proudly tells me how much she loved her time there. She shares that since graduation, she has been able to count on Wellesley for lifelong friendships, career advice, or transitioning through a relocation.

So starting today, I am going to stop asking “why?” Instead of trying to understand it, I am trying to change it. And I need your help to do so.

Do you count a Wellesley alumna as one of your close friends? Then give to Wellesley. Will you want, or did you receive, support from an alumna or professor during your career or postgraduate education? Then give to Wellesley. Will you want, or did you have, an introduction to like-minded independent women during a relocation? Then give to Wellesley.

And do you believe, as I do, that women can do better? Then give to Wellesley.