Edna Coplin Warsowe, CW'34, to Lead Penn's Alumni Parade

May 14, 2009

The theme of this year's Alumni Weekend at Penn is "Old Friends, New Ideas," and nowhere, perhaps, is that spirit more nicely expressed than in the person selected to lead the Alumni Parade. Edna Coplin Warsowe, who graduated 75 years ago from the College of Women, remains to this day a passionate public advocate for change.

"Your dedication to improving the fabric of our society makes you the perfect choice," Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations F. Hoopes Wampler wrote, "from your work in support of literacy and public schools, to encouraging citizen participation in an honest, accountable democracy. Your life's work will benefit countless generations."

On Saturday, May 16, Parade Marshal Edna will lead generations of returning Penn alumni -- from Class of 1932 to Class of 2008 -- through campus, down Locust Walk and past historic College Hall, making history at the University once again.

Fortunately for them, Edna knows her way around Penn. She's an active member of the Trustees' Council of Penn Women (TCPW), a national network of Penn alumnae and the first group of its kind dedicated to advancing women at universities. She also participates in events with the Penn Alumni Club of Washington, DC.

And Edna is not shy about leading: she founded the Florida Chapter of Common Cause -- a nonpartisan citizen's advocacy organization that promotes open, honest, and accountable government -- and she was founder and director of Adult Literacy for the Massachusetts Council for Public Schools.

"You are a testament to the ideals of the University of Pennsylvania," Wampler wrote, "and it would be a privilege to share the stage with you."

Dear Edna, we couldn't agree more.

 

 

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