Sent from Bamako, to 20 current Smithies:
January 11, 2009
Dear Current Smith College student,
We are writing to you as Smith College graduates of the class of '78.
We are working with the development office on a special project that will begin this Spring and - if we succeed, culminate in the establishment of an endowed scholarship fund for the education of exceptional women from developing and post-conflict countries, so that they may “fulfill their potential” as leaders of the International Community.
The name of this project is the Smith Class of 1978 “Fulfill the Potential” Scholarship Project. Our collective goal is to enable and encourage exceptional women from these countries to attend Smith College. We recognize that one of the greatest untapped resources in the world is the minds of women who live in countries that do not provide them with equal access to higher education. This fund would enable women of high ability and potential, who are living in countries the College has identified as developing/post-conflict nations, to contribute on a global and regional level as a result of their Smith education.
It is our hope that these Smith-educated women will shape the intellectual, social, scientific, economic, artistic and/or political environment of their homelands and nations throughout the world.
We are not sure whether you would consider yourself to be such a person, but if you do, please let us know.
We as a group would love to know more about you, where you came from, what you aspire to, and how we might be able to support your endeavors.
Best regards,
