The picture above was taken just outside my room in Rock, in the earliest part of spring, I think.  If it looks gauzy and like I am in love, it is because I was–with my life–and for the very first time.   I finally moved into the dorms as a senior.  I had lived off campus the two years before but I just couldn’t afford the time to maintain a household and write a thesis any more.  I moved my cat to D.C., stored most of my house, and took part in room draw.  I was given number 6; I took Rock 135.  If you look at the brass plates in Rock 135, I think my predecessors all went on to do Ph.D.’s.  I didn’t go on to grad school; I went home to have two leg surgeries, get to know my baby-sister, surf, ride bikes, make art, activism, hoard wine, and take my first shot at a career.  You could think I didn’t do a whole lot with my degree, but you’d be wrong.  I have used it in ways that even I could not have imagined.  Mostly my education manifests in my ability to listen, be humble towards my work and the labor of others, and the expansion of my ability to reduce grown men to tears via logical argument.

I had never been loved, supported, and encouraged like I was at Bryn Mawr; my affection for the institution, the women, & especially the staff of BMC continues to grow as the rewards I gained from my education continue to develop.  Because of these rewards, I have financially supported BMC since the year I graduated; excepting that one year I had the surgeries. And maybe the six months after that- I am not totally sure but you can check if it matters to you.  My goal has been to double my giving every 2-5 years until I reach 5K per year.

If you want to know more about me then check out risagoodman.com,  Athena’s Web, or find me on LinkedIn, otherwise, tell me what I can add to this site or offer that will make you want to pitch in. I’ll add an email for this site soon… until then-

Best, risa