A 1966 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Agnes Scott herself, Mary Bullock now proudly leads an institution ranked as one of the nation’s top women’s colleges with one of the largest endowments per student in the country. The daughter of missionaries, Mary has lived and worked around the world. She is known as a scholar, a researcher, and distinguished woman of achievement. She is past director of the Asia Program at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., a grant recipient from Ford, Luce, the Rockefeller Brothers, and the National Science Foundation, and the recipient of many honors including the National Academy of Sciences Distinguished Service Award. But to the men and women who know her best, Mary is Mary - an incredibly warm and caring human being and a superb role model.

It seems that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Charlotte Thompson Brown, Mary’s grandmother, who died in 1950 before Mary even knew her very well, is her own role model. Mrs. Brown grew up in Atlanta and taught in the public school system, but she also did something extraordinary. She went to China as a missionary, and a single woman. Mary calls her grandmother an "early 20^th century feminist" whose chosen field was religion, which at the time, was socially acceptable. In China, the "adventurer" as Mary calls her taught Chinese women to read and she met the man she would marry, Mary’s grandfather. It seems clear to me that the spirit of Mary’s grandmother lives on in her and that it has significantly contributed to her commitment to women’s education.

Ms. Bullock also recognizes the influence of Dr. Michael Oksenberg on her career. Dr. Oksenberg is currently a Senior Fellow in the Asian Pacific Research Center at Stanford University. During the Carter Administration, he was a China specialist on the Security Council. For Mary, he has been a long-time supporter who showed interest in her research, recommended her for various positions, and opened doors to new opportunities. "A good word here and there can make a big difference," she acknowledges as she speaks about one of her professional mentors.

About the author: Susan B. Hitchcock, vice president – development for the Turknett Leadership Group in Atlanta, is also founder / creator of The Age of SHEroes – a research initiative and information resource dedicated to female role models and women of achievement of the new Millennium. Susan is currently researching a book, which will include compelling profiles and perspectives from females of all ages in fields from aerospace to zoology across the 50 states. For additional information about this initiative or to contribute ideas for the research, please contact Susan at 843-363-2568.