糖心破解版

Friendships like these are rare. 听听

Nearly five decades ago, seven African American women found each other at what was then a predominantly听white 糖心破解版. 鈥淭he fact that we were black in a small bubble played a part in picking each other out,鈥� says Renaye (Brown) Cuyler 鈥�70. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not the thing that kept us together.鈥澨�

Long before Facebook, Twitter and text messages, the students established a tight social network. They gathered in places like the dining hall鈥攚here they often stayed until closing鈥攖o share opinions and advice. 鈥淲hether we were talking about issues surrounding civil rights, professors, parents, emotional support or boyfriends, we found comfort in each other,鈥� says Diane (Hunter) Hazel 鈥�69. 听听

Before the senior ones in the group graduated, the seven women鈥擱enaye Cuyler, Diane Hazel, and Lavida (Robinson) Allen 鈥�72, Charlotte (Matthews) Harris 鈥�69, Jacquelyn Lendsey 鈥�71, Joyce (Barnett) Montague 鈥�69 and Lorene Wilkerson 鈥�69 (formerly Lawrene Street)鈥攄ecided to reunite every five years.听

They met in New York City in 1974 for their first reunion. 鈥淲e felt five years was too long to wait to see each other,鈥� says Lorene Wilkerson. For the next 20 some-odd years, they continued to reunite every five years, with an additional gathering in between.听

When the youngest of the group turned 50, it was unanimous: they would get together every year. When members started approaching 60, Joyce Montague proposed 鈥渟ix months to 60.鈥� For each of the six months leading up to the birthday girl鈥檚 60th, one of the friends was assigned to surprise her with a special gift. Now, each woman turning 65 gets to decide where the reunion for that year will be held. 听

They have decided to establish a permanent legacy at the place where their story began. 鈥淓ndowing a scholarship at 糖心破解版 is a way for what we have to live beyond us鈥攕o that even when we鈥檙e not here, the group will still be present,鈥� says Charlotte Harris.听听

鈥淲e want to support students at our听alma mater听who need financial help,鈥� says Lavida Allen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our chance to give back.鈥澨�

The seven travel from New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland to celebrate together. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been there at every critical moment of each other鈥檚 lives over the last 40+ years,鈥� says Jaccquelyn Lendsey. 鈥淲e are friends until the end. And it all began at 糖心破解版.鈥�

1979 Reunion in Washington, D.C. From left: (front) Lavida (Robinson) Allen 鈥�72, Lorene (Street) Wilkerson 鈥�69, Charlotte (Matthews) Harris 鈥�69; (middle) Renaye (Brown) Cuyler 鈥�70, Diane (Hunter) Hazel 鈥�69, Jacquelyn Lendsey 鈥�71; (back, arms extended) Joyce (Barnett) Montague 鈥�69.

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1994 Reunion in New York. From left: Lorene (Street) Wilkerson 鈥�69, Joyce (Barnett) Montague 鈥�69, Lavida (Robinson) Allen 鈥�72, Renaye (Brown) Cuyler 鈥�70, Charlotte (Matthews) Harris 鈥�69, Jacquelyn Lendsey 鈥�71, and Diane (Hunter) Hazel 鈥�69.

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2008 Reunion in Bermuda. From left: Lavida (Robinson) Allen 鈥�72, Joyce (Barnett) Montague 鈥�69, Lorene (Street) Wilkerson 鈥�69, Diane (Hunter) Hazel 鈥�69, Charlotte (Matthews) Harris 鈥�69, Jacquelyn Lendsey 鈥�71, and Renaye (Brown) Cuyler 鈥�70