Lillian Lincoln Lambert

Our second day in Boston stop was at the Sister of the Poor which is a residence for seniors, both infirmed and ambulatory. They were so happy to see us. Some of these residents have few, if any, visitor. Our intent was to tell them about the Hope project and have each of the speakers speak. Our plan changed when we realized how anxious they were to talk to us. They were then asked to tell us about their lives. Bob started. It was obvious that he had difficulty speaking but that did not stop him even though the director had to interpret much of what he said. A 90-year old lady told us how she loved to dance and danced a lot in her youth. Another woman told of her many games of tennis and the trophies she had won. Before we left everyone in the room had spoken except one lady who arrived late. After they spoke I was asked to share my experience at Harvard Business School. Bob, the first to speak who considers himself the official tour guide, then took us to visit those residents who were not able to come down from their rooms.

The first stop on day two was at Boston’s Women Fund where we met with Arlene Snyder, Director of Philanthropy. The Fund supports community-based organizations in the Greater Boston Area that are run by women and girls. She shared with us that as a small charity they have been greatly affected by the downtown in the economy.

From there we visited with Strong Women Strong Girls. This organization has an intriguing concept Their mission is to build upon the lessons learned from strong women throughout history to help girls and young women become strong women themselves. They work with schools and emphasis girls in grades 3-5 to help them build positive self-esteem and skills for life-long success. There are chapters on some college campuses where the students volunteer as mentor. Having opened an office in Miami, their goal is to become a national operation. They asked me to share my story after which we discussed my returning at some point to talk to the girls and young women. Something I would love to do.

Our final Boston stop was Hope in Bloom where we visited the home of a stage 4 cancer patient who is in remission. Hope in Bloom plants indoor and outdoor gardens at the homes of women and men who have breast cancer. Healing gardens are said to have therapeutic value that support the emotional and psychological needs of patients and their families. In addition to viewing the beautiful garden we were treated to homemade chocolate chip cookies and cider. What a great way to end my first leg of the tour. Then off to the airport for my return to Virginia.

At our first stop in Boston, a detailed tour of my alma mater Harvard Business School, where I graduated forty years ago, I approached it with mixed feelings. Mixed because not only am I a graduate but I have been back to the campus a number of times. So why would I want a tour? What a mistake I would have made if I had passed this up!

Jim Aisner, Director of Media Relations gave us a detailed walking tour. He was full of information – size of the property, number of buildings, how the school started, how buildings were named and/or changed, what alterations occurred and why, the admission and selection process and many other topics. In addition we got to meet some students, first and second year. It was fascinating to compare notes on how the school is now and how it was when I attended. Just as if it was planned, in one of the buildings we ran into Jim Cash, a retired African American professor who was hired subsequent to my graduation. Again, just as on cue, as we were walking across the campus who appeared but Dean Jay Light. The group had lunch in the fabulous Sprangler Center, a wonder in itself. As I was leaving the dining hall I ran into a friend who graduated two years after I did. I was beginning to think that they were all expecting my visit. It felt great to be back on campus!

To top off the trip, before retiring for the day we went to the dormitory where I lived. What was once the Graduate Radcliff e Dormitory for women from various Harvard and Radcliffe schools now houses the Harvard College admission and financial aid office on the first floor but dormitory rooms are on the second and third floors. The cafeteria still exists on the first floor but set up quite different from the days I was there. It was a thrill to reminisce.