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Molly Ivins, Class of '66, Dies at
62
I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Molly Ivins '66,
someone I've long admired. Molly was courageous, and she was funny. Those two qualities may not
seem related, but, in her work, they were. Through her writing, she gave her readers the boldness
to see hypocrisy and absurdity and the resilience to laugh at it. She was one of our country's
great political satirists, and she was a gracious, generous lady to boot. The Smith community,
and the nation, have lost one of our most insightful and authentic voices.
-- Carol T. Christ, President
Molly Ivins returned to campus frequently to deliver speeches
and participate in panel discussions. She delivered the Rally Day address in 1993
and received the Smith College Medal in 2001. Her medal citation saluted her for
exposing "folly
and hypocrisy with as much energy, inspiration, and vivacity as any writer of your
generation. In so doing, you have consistently exhibited a set of virtues almost
never found in tandem: a clear eye, a merry heart, and a willingness to acknowledge
a measure of humanity even in those who are most deserving of your ridicule."
Ivins was one of six prominent alumnae, representing Smith education
over some 50 years, who returned to the college in October, 2002 for a roundtable
discussion celebrating the inauguration of Smith President Carol T. Christ. "It
wasn't that Smith taught me that women can do anything," Ivins said. "Smith taught
me to simply assume women can do anything! And
as I went forth to conquer the world in 1966, I didn't yet realize what a great gift
that [concept] was. It took me a long time -- and I'm still grateful for it." More...
Molly Ivins '66, right, with fellow Smith alum Katrina Gardner '00,
at a roundtable discussion on campus in October 2002. |
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