I’m celebrating the 50th year of coeducation by interviewing trailblazer, Ann Fritz Hackett, first alumna trustee of the College. Ann served from 1982 to 1992 and again from 1993 to 1995 to fill an unexpired term. Asked about her historical appointment, she writes, “I was asked to fly to Boston to be interviewed by the whole board. I was seated at the end of a very long conference table. At 27, that was pretty intimidating! I was deeply honored to have the opportunity to give back to Dartmouth in an important way but also a bit nervous, since I was the first alumna and by far the youngest member of the board—the next youngest being about 15 years older and most others much older and more experienced. This turned out to be a tremendous growth experience. I learned at a very early age to find my voice, be courageous and authentic, express my opinion, and ask questions that turned out to be important to the deliberations and discussions.” She says the experience provided “an incredible foundation in governance” that has served her well in a career that has included investment banking, management consulting, tech startups, and nonprofit and Fortune 500 boards. She cites the 1987 trustees’ statement on achieving more substantial parity between men and women as one of the most memorable decisions made during her tenure. “We, along with most of the Ivies, had been stuck at 39-percent female. That statement and intent helped propel us forward and continue to attract the most exceptional male and female students. We understood that greater parity would also help Dartmouth become truly coeducational and advance the undergraduate experience for all students in all kinds of ways.” What does she hope future Dartmouth classes know about our experience in the first matriculated class of women? “I hope they know that in spite of the many challenges we faced, I felt incredibly fortunate to be part of that first class and loved my Dartmouth experience. Dartmouth took me outside of my comfort zone, but in doing so it expanded it and helped prepare me for the rest of my life. I threw myself into the academic experiences, sports teams, and my dorm; embraced the abundance of new opportunities; learned to face challenges head on; and formed extraordinary lifelong friendships. We had a unique opportunity to see an institution up close in the midst of transformation and be part of that change—and that has served me well in other parts of my career and life. Even in those early days, I think many of us felt we were helping to forge a path for what would one day be an even better Dartmouth. The bonds we shared as women in those early days are deep. But what is often not mentioned is the importance of the male friends we had and how they stood beside us and with us through the challenging times. Together, men and women in those early classes did their part to help lay the foundation for what is the Dartmouth of today.” Thank you, Ann!

—Sara Hoagland Hunter, c/o DAM, 7 Lebanon St., Suite 107, Hanover, NH 03755; sarahunter76@gmail.com