The 2020 Open the Door fundraising initiative invited members of the Columbia University community to celebrate the inspiring mentors, trailblazers, and champions who have opened the door for them by making a gift in their honor to a Columbia school, program, or cause of their choice.

A sincere thank you to all participants! Because of your collective impact, you have created new opportunities for Columbia students, faculty, and researchers.

While this fundraising initiative concluded on International Women's Day, March 8, 2020, there are still ways to stay connected with Columbia's powerful, inspiring alumnae network. Sign up for the She Opened the Door email list to stay in the know about upcoming opportunities.

FEATURED STORIES

"Dean Rosen-Metsch, a fellow GS alumna, has been a terrific supporter of my labor rights advocacy work in the fashion industry post-graduation. I’m excited to see how the School of General Studies will continue to blossom under her leadership."

SAra ziff ’11gs

"Doris Willens Kaplan, JSchool 1947, hired me as her assistant in 1970 when I was 22. She was VP-Public Relations at Doyle Dane Bernbach Advertising and a veteran journalist. Inspired by her, I went to the JSchool and began my magazine career. Doris is in her 90s and we are still dear friends."

Wendy schuman ’72JRN

"My first mentor Heather Lorimer (PhD Biological Sciences, Columbia) mentored me to be an excellent scientist in her lab at YSU. My own incredible career at Columbia, Rockefeller and now Merck where I make viruses to treat cancer would not be possible without her brave choice to open the door to me."

Julia sable ’07TC, ’09TC, Director of Virology ZMBBI ’00 - ’18

"Former U.S. Treasury Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Natalie Earnest opened the door for me when I wanted to switch from U.S. foreign policy-making to public affairs in the US government. Many refused to take me on, but she took a chance on me and trained me as Treasury Spokesperson."

Hagar Hajjar Chemali ’03bC, ’04SIPA

SHARE YOUR STORY

Let us know who opened the door for you and how they made an impact on your life. We’ll feature a selection of your submissions on this site.

Submit your story here.

SHE OPENED THE DOOR 2020

Hundreds of Columbia alumnae came together on February 9 for a full day of inspiring sessions and speakers, including CNN's Poppy Harlow '05CC and Christiane Amanpour P: '23CC, and Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee.