Celebrating a Legacy

During Chatham Hall’s 2025 Reunion Weekend, the Class of 1975 gave the community a remarkable reason to celebrate—not only their 50th Reunion but also their extraordinary impact on the School’s literary and creative future. In honor of their beloved classmate, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Claudia Emerson ’75, the class raised more than $80,000 to fully endow the Writer in Residence Fund. In recognition of their generosity and Claudia’s lasting influence, the program will now be known as the Claudia Emerson ’75 Writer in Residence Fund.

Claudia Emerson was the only author to serve twice as Writer in Residence at Chatham Hall, and her visits left a deep and lasting impression. She brought poetry, song, intelligence, warmth, and an unmistakable creative spirit to her interactions with students. Whether reading from her acclaimed works or sharing songs written with her husband, Claudia inspired generations of students to engage deeply with language and story. It is deeply fitting that this meaningful program now bears her name.

Established informally in the mid-2000s by longtime English Department Chair Ann Beal, the Writer in Residence program has brought a variety of powerful literary voices to Chatham Hall, ranging from poets like Elizabeth Acevedo to storytellers like Madeline Miller and Taylor Mali. As the program evolved under the leadership of Dr. Mary Edmonds and now Mr. Kieran Conrad, it has become a source of inspiration not only in English classes but across disciplines and student life, with writers participating in songwriting courses, protest literature discussions, and conversations about mental health and identity.

For many years, funding for this program was modest, limiting access to higher-profile writers and robust workshops. Now, thanks to the endowed fund made possible by the Class of 1975’s leadership and vision, the program will be able to welcome a wider range of acclaimed writers, expand cross-curricular engagement, and potentially reintroduce student writing workshops that were once a vibrant part of the program.

The Class of 1975's campaign has also been supported by the proceeds of the Alumnae Council’s Silent Auction, held during Reunion Weekend in recent years, including this year. Their collective efforts reflect the enduring spirit of Chatham Hall alumnae: passionate, purposeful, and committed to enriching the lives of future generations.

We are profoundly grateful to the Class of 1975 and all who helped bring the Claudia Emerson ’75 Writer in Residence Fund to life. This legacy ensures that Claudia’s voice, alongside many others, will continue to inspire our students to tell their stories, find their voices, and shape the world through the written word.