McMenamin, Joan Stitt (Mrs. Edward B.), 1925-2004
Biography
Joan Stitt McMenamin came to Nightingale in 1959, eventually serving as the fifth headmistress from 1971 until her retirement in 1992.
Joan Stitt, born March 7, 1925, was raised in Scarsdale, New York. She attended the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, followed by Smith College, where she earned an economics degree, and the Katharine Gibbs School for secretarial skills (per her father's wishes, who believed it would ensure her financial independence). She worked in Paris as secretary and researcher for the Marshall Plan and Paul Hoffman of the Ford Foundation. In 1953, she married Edward B. McMenamin and they lived in Paris and Washington, D.C., where Mrs. McMenamin worked for the European Coal and Steel Community doing general administrative and public relations work. In 1958, the McMenamins moved to New York City, where Mr. McMenamin became Deputy Provost of Columbia University and then Secretary of the University.
In 1959, at the urgent request of a friend and Nightingale Trustee, Mrs. McMenamin came to Nightingale to fill in for one week as a typist for Catherine Woodbridge, who was headmistress at that time. She stayed to help with scheduling and reaccreditation matters, and her education and talents led to her role as a history teacher, where she emphasized knowledge of current events. As headmistress, she oversaw construction of the new schoolhouse in 1989-1991 before her retirement. The Middle and Upper School library space was named in her honor in the new building.
Mrs. McMenamin's activities outside of Nightingale included serving as a trustee at The Buckley School and The Town School and as an elder at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. She was very involved in matters involving the education of girls.
Mrs. McMenamin was awarded the Smith Medal by her alma mater in 1985.
The Joan Stitt McMenamin lecture was created following her death on June 12, 2004, with the first lecture given in November 2005.
Found in 562 Collections and/or Records:
Small group portraits of Class of 1986 graduates on commencement day, 1986
Sound recording of Dr. Carlotta Miles, psychiatrist, speaking to Collegiate and Nightingale faculty about minority children (race, family structure) and working parents. Introduction by Joan McMenamin, 1986 Nov
Speech delivered at Smith College Alumnae Fund conference, 1984 Sep 21
Speech delivered at the 55th Year Fund opening event, 1975 Apr 22
Speech delivered by Nina Joukowsky Koprulu '79, at dedication of the Joan Stitt McMenamin Library, 1992 Jan 27
Biographical Records include records related to the life of Joan Stitt McMenamin, including resumes, biographical compilations, articles and speeches about Joan McMenamin, records of gifts she made to the school, legal records related to her death in 2004, reminiscences, and speeches, programs, a video recording, and visitor books from a service in memory of Joan McMenamin held at Nightingale on October 1, 2004.
Speech for St. Paul's Girls' School, 1985
Speech given at the Cosmopolitan Club regarding educating American girls, 1976 Jan 6
Speech relating to career of Joan McMenamin / unknown author, c. 1980 - 1992
Biographical Records include records related to the life of Joan Stitt McMenamin, including resumes, biographical compilations, articles and speeches about Joan McMenamin, records of gifts she made to the school, legal records related to her death in 2004, reminiscences, and speeches, programs, a video recording, and visitor books from a service in memory of Joan McMenamin held at Nightingale on October 1, 2004.
Speech relating to career of Joan McMenamin / unknown author, 1992
Biographical Records include records related to the life of Joan Stitt McMenamin, including resumes, biographical compilations, articles and speeches about Joan McMenamin, records of gifts she made to the school, legal records related to her death in 2004, reminiscences, and speeches, programs, a video recording, and visitor books from a service in memory of Joan McMenamin held at Nightingale on October 1, 2004.
Speech relating to prayers, 1986
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