An Interview With Alumnae Association President Martha Frances Fortson '65
Written by: Hollis W. Duncan
Martha Frances Ayers Fortson (SMS ’65) finds herself involved in a new challenge, one that she has undertaken with considerable enthusiasm. As the new president of St. Margaret’s Alumnae Association, Martha Frances feels that it is a privilege to serve the institution that helped shape her life. This position will afford her the opportunity to work and connect with many SMS alumnae over the next two years. “There is plenty to do,” says Fortson who expresses concern regarding the need for greater alumnae involvement, stating that, “It is our association and I hope anyone who wants to get involved will do so."
(Excerpted from the Spring/Summer 1999 edition of
The Thistle, St. Margaret's alumnae magazine.)
Do you have any zany memories?
Oh gosh, it would take a book! Viola [Woolfolk] is a part of many of my really fun memories. She was one tough lady, but I loved her. Miss Woolfolk was the reason I came to St. Margaret's. I first interviewed at St. Mary’s in Raleigh, then St. Catherine’s in Richmond. My final interview was at St. Margaret’s. The interview that I had with Miss Wolfolk was wonderful. Afterward, I told my parents that this was the school I was coming to.
We used to go through formal receiving lines any time we had St. Margaret's dances or attended dances at Christchurch. I was invited to the end of the year dance at Christchurch in my junior year by a young fellow from Walkerton. We were really dressed up--all of us had spent days, weeks, months preparing. I can’t remember why, but someone had talked me into wearing false fingernails that evening. As I proceeded through the receiving line Miss Woolfolk grabbed my hand; a fingernail popped off, hit the Christchurch headmaster and fell to the floor. The headmaster didn’t realize what had hit him, but he looked downward at the floor. I quickly stepped on the fingernail and dragged it beneath my foot through the rest of the receiving line. By the time I reached the end it was crushed to smithereens. No one even noticed, not even my date.
Another great memory occurred when we were dismissed early from study hall (with a lot of coaxing of Miss Sampson) to see The Beatles perform for the first time on the Ed Sullivan show. There were about fifty of us on the floor, in chairs, everywhere. We watched the performance on a small television in the basement of Latané Hall. Looking back on it, we certainly proved our theory to the administration that it was history in the making.
How did you become the Alumnae Association President?
I have been active on the Alumnae Board for three years. Ellen LeCompte, the Board’s President, asked if I would serve on the Executive Board. The Association presidency ultimately evolved from that assignment.
How would you describe your responsibilities and what one word would you use to describe those?
Impossible (laughing). No, challenging! As President, I am in charge of the Alumnae Association and serve as an alumnae representative on the Board of Governors. I will strive to present to the Board the opinions and concerns of both past and present students.
The Alumnae Association is sponsoring a Parents’ Weekend 5-k run/walk and crafts show fundraiser in the fall on October 9. Can you tell us more about that?
On Friday, October 8, a Craft Show will run continuously from 2:00 p.m. until about 7:00 p.m. Alumnae have already received the mailer requesting their participation in this show. On Saturday, October 9, the show will continue from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; in addition, there will be a 5-kilometer run/walk that will include a Water Lane dash for kids early in the morning. We’re calling the event the Rappahannock River Run and Crafts Show. This will be the 1st of an annual event. We are delighted that the inaugural run will take place this Fall Parents' Weekend. More information will be sent out to parents and friends of the school late this summer or early fall explaining what’s happening in greater detail.
You seem very poised, well-organized, and an ardent supporter of the school-all attributes of a strong Alumnae President-but has anything surprised you thus far?
Yes, I have had a couple of surprises. The biggest was inheriting a seat on the Board of Governors. I’ve served on the Alumnae Board for three years, but the two boards are distinctly different. I didn’t realize that the Alumnae Association President automatically fills a seat on the Board of Governors. I am honored to serve all alumnae in that capacity.
Okay, the million dollar question:
What 3 things would you like to see happen during your reign as Alumnae Association President?
First, I would like to see more alumnae involvement. I think that the local alums get tapped to serve in the majority of instances. People move away and lose touch; we need to try and rekindle those alumnae ties. A survey could help generate ideas for an initial approach and provide feedback that might prove beneficial in reaching a greater audience. I am hopeful that my class of 1965 will have more participation with the activities on campus and certainly have a great turnout for our 35th reunion in April.
Second, I would really like to develop the retreat concept. In August 1998, we had our first volunteer weekend retreat. The beauty of the retreat was that we stayed here on campus and had fun. The turnout was not fabulous, but it wasn’t too bad for our first attempt. We separated into break-out groups to explore alumnae involvement. Many wonderful things came out of those meetings, such as the 5-k run idea. I would really like to expand the retreat program and focus on participation by special groups.
Finally, I guess because I am such a lover of young people, I would really like to see the Alumnae Board increase its interrelationship, at least in my capacity, with the students. Currently, I come here, do my thing, and leave. The Alumnae Association could benefit greatly by initiating more personal contact with the girls. Current students comprise a great group of young women representing a cross section of the United States and many foreign countries. Each time I visit the campus, I look at the students and hope that 30 years from now they will return to this beautiful place on the Rappahannock and relish fond memories, connect with old friends, and set a vision for the future of St. Margaret's.
