June 3, 2020

AAGC response re: Goucher's Statement on Racism

Dear Fellow Alumnae/i,

In 1885, the founders of Goucher College took bold action to arm women with the ultimate power to transform the world around them: knowledge. It took nearly a century for that ideal to be extended to African American women, leading to Jewell Robinson and Marguerite Barland forging their historic paths to our campus. Now, we find ourselves as an Alumnae/i Association struggling with how to best support our College during a time of overdue social transformation.

We encourage you to read Goucher President Kent Devereaux's statement (below) sent to faculty, staff, students, and parents. We write you today to remind you that it is up to each of us as alumnae/i to help Goucher reach our commitment to social justice for everyone in our community.

Goucher gave us knowledge, but also challenged us to use our education for good. We ask you to join us as fellow alums to take meaningful action as we mourn the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and as many still connected to the Baltimore community continue to mourn the loss of Freddie Gray, along with far too many others:

  • Open doors: The Class of 2020 is encountering the most challenging job market in years. Data is clear that institutional bias and systemic racism will make this transition even more challenging for our alumnae/i of color. Help us by sharing job postings and other opportunities from your place of employment with the Career Education Office. Find a mentee (or a mentor!) via LinkedIn, and share your professional knowledge.
  • Shine a light: Send stories of alumnae/i advancing issues of equity, race, civil rights, and healthy communities to alumni@goucher.edu.
  • Express your solidarity: Reach out to our professors and staff and thank them for their tireless work. Get involved in your communities. Heed the advice of Goucher's students in An Open Letter to Our Allies in the Goucher College Community posted by the Black Student Union.
  • Educate yourself, your family, and your community: Consider these resources.
  • If you're able, consider making a gift to the Goucher entities lifting up marginalized students: the Center for Race, Equity, & Identity; Goucher Prison Education Partnership; Imani Fund; Hallowed Ground Project; Bias Training & Response Team; Africana Studies; Peace Studies; Center for Hispanic & Latinx Studies; Community-Based Learning; Goucher Black Student Union - Umoja, and others.

We are Goucher Proud.

We are unwavering in our acknowledgment: Black Lives Matter.

Yours in service,
The Goucher Alumnae/i Association Board