Celebrating the Women of Deer field

It was big news when women came to campus in 1989, but many people do not realize that Deerfield was co-educational until 1948 and then returned to coeducation in 1989. The academy will soon celebrate the 15th anniversary of that important decision, which falls, coincidentally, on the 100th anniversary of Helen Childs Boyden's arrival at Deerfield.

To celebrate Mrs. Boyden's legacy and the important contributions women have made to the school, plans are underway for a Women of Deerfield Weekend. A recent survey elicited responses from 100 Deerfield women. The majority favor a kick-off event on campus followed by regional events around the country. They would like to see current students involved to some extent, they are eager to form mentoring relationships, re-live Deerfield traditions, and talk about current role models for Deerfield women. When given a choice of seminar topics, leadership emerged as a clear winner, but there was also high interest in unusual travel opportunities, literature, the power of language, and the psychology of risk.

Organizers hope that voices from Deerfield Academy pre-1948 and post-1989 will combine and that there will be some sort of lasting legacy from the weekend, perhaps a "lessons learned" handbook or a video. As plans develop, we will certainly keep you informed via this newsletter, the alumni magazine, and the alumni website, deerfieldalumni.org. Meanwhile, save the date, mark your calendars, and think about yoor experiences as Deerfield women. September 23-25, 2005 is tentatively scheduled for a "Women of Deerfield Weekend."

Johnson Fire

When a fire on the second floor of Johnson Dormitory triggered the academy's alarm system on the morning of April 15, faculty, staff and students jumped into action along with local firefighters. All students and those in faculty apartments were evacuated and no one was injured. The blaze itself was confined to one room - thanks in part to special "fire rated" sheet rock used in the construction of the dorm - and it was quickly extinguished.

Unfortunately, due to extensive smoke and water damage, the 39 residents of the dorm were left homeless, but the Dean of Students Office remedied that situation by finding each one temporary housing on campus with friends and faculty. Almost immediately, a crew from Physical Plant began to clean and repair the dorm, and now Johnson residents are back in their rooms.

Among the volunteer firefighters who responded to the blaze were several Deerfield students, who are junior members of the Deerfield Fire Department. They left ballet, classes and quizzes to assist their fellow firefighters. The students, who train right along with other firefighters, helped out "on the line" during the academy's fire; they rolled up and carried away unused sections of hose and lugged air-pack tanks, to help in the clean-up after the fire was out. Deerfield Fire Chief Chester Yazwinski (Deerfield Class of 1971) said, "They're a great hunch of kids, and they're hardworking."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.