Edith Lesley Wolfard Society

Creating a planned gift entitles you to membership in the Edith Lesley Wolfard Society (ELWS). Named for Lesley University's founder, this Society honors supporters who have expressed confidence in Lesley's current work and future potential. Among the benefits of membership are invitations to special events, informational updates, an annual ELWS event, and a handcrafted ELWS memento.

Many of our charter members included a charitable bequest to Lesley in their will or trust as their qualifying gift. Others made a gift to the Lesley University Pooled Income Fund, or established a Charitable Gift Annuity.

The motivations for making a planned gift are as varied as the people who make them. Below, a few ELWS members have described their reasons for choosing this giving option:

How often have I thought how best to express my appreciation for the education and opportunities given to me by Lesley University....A number of years ago, I learned that my father had made a charitable bequest to his alma mater, establishing a scholarship fund. To this day, 18 years later, I continue to receive notes of gratitude and appreciation from students who benefit from my father's gift. Having seen firsthand what my father's gift has accomplished and continues to accomplish, I decided to make a like gift in my will to Lesley University. To me, it's an easy and special way to say "thank you" for the training I received and the skills that continue to stay with me today.

-- Jacqueline Hart Leach '67

I decided to include Lesley University in my will because I believe so strongly in education. I appreciated the intimacy of the school, and the close bond that developed in my class that I continue to cherish. My education served me well, as I taught for many years. Even though I haven't been back to Lesley often, I want to help support the school because of those warm feelings. Further, I want to insure that future students have the same opportunity that I had. I can do that with a gift through my will.

-- Janet Brown Svenson '36

I was an academic failure until I was twenty-four years old. I quit high school three times and floundered around the business world on the lowest rungs of the ladder. I stuck at nothing for very long until a family friend convinced me I'd never get anywhere without completing my formal education. I wanted a college degree, but colleges didn't want me. BUT... then I found Lesley University, which agreed to open its doors to me in spite of my checkered past. They accepted me and set about proving I could succeed and do it as a teacher.

Lesley gave me four of the best and toughest years of my life and nobody allowed me to give up, nor gave up on me. Lesley taught me perseverance, determination, patience-in-trial, and independence. Lesley provided me with the finest teacher education anyone could find anywhere, and allowed me to major in Special Education - a rarity in 1952.

Lesley launched me on a whole new life in 1953. I began a meaningful, very rewarding 37-year career in Special Education. What I have today in retirement and had throughout my teaching career, I owe to Lesley's willingness to take a chance on me. Of course I have Lesley in my estate planning!

-- Betty B. Willey '53