"When talking about our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, I often remind people that I know where she got her study habits."
Madeleine K. Albright '59

Wellesley carries on its proud tradition of educating women who make a difference in the world.

Wellesley College has a longstanding and deeply held commitment to international study. Through classwork and cocurricular learning opportunities, Wellesley students graduate with a real-world worldview.

Every year, about 50% of Wellesley College juniors participate in semester or full-year international study programs—this year, in more than 40 countries around the world. Many enroll in a Wellesley-administered or consortium program in Argentina, Austria, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, or the United Kingdom.

But a Wellesley student doesn’t need to travel for a global experience: International students represent 15% of Wellesley’s student community and arrive from over 45 countries around the world. The cultural vibrancy of our campus life is built on the diversity of our students’ backgrounds and perspectives. Wellesley students learn different ways of seeing the world without ever leaving campus.

It is often said that Wellesley excels at producing leaders—and the accomplishments of Wellesley alumnae on the international stage prove the point. Wellesley graduates also populate more than 13 U.S. federal agencies and departments. And you’ll find Wellesley alumnae in prominent roles in international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Council on Foreign Relations, among others.

Wellesley helps students hone their leadership skills through initiatives such as the Albright Institute. Other globally oriented programs include:

International Programs
Each year, several hundred Wellesley students participate in international study programs in more than 40 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. 

Center for Work and Service
The Center for Work and Service (CWS) empowers Wellesley women by offering a rich variety of services and resources to support students and alumnae in making life and career decisions.

Wellesley Centers for Women
Work at the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) has generated changes in attitudes, practices, and public policy since 1974. WCW's groundbreaking research and dynamic action programs address the education, care, and development of children and youth; the emotional well-being of families and individuals; and the status of women and girls, as well as the advancement of their human rights in the United States and around the globe.

Washington Internship Program
The Wellesley College Washington Internship program provides an opportunity for students to learn about politics and public policy through placements in government offices, political and public-interest groups, media organizations, and research and cultural institutions. Each summer, 18 to 20 interns will be selected to work in Washington, D.C., for 10 weeks.

Wellesley Leaders in Government and Public Affairs*

In-Ho Lee ’60
Former South Korean ambassador to Russia

Carolyn McGiffert Ekedahl ’62
Deputy Inspector General, CIA

Martha Tamakloe ’63
Former Ghanaian ambassador to Denmark

Alicia Lustre ’64
Director, National Food Authority, Philippines

Nancy Kornblith Kopp ’65
Treasurer, State of Maryland

Emily Lloyd ’66
Former commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Protection

Judith Anderson Powers ’67
Legislator, House of
Representatives, State of Maine

Sandra Lynch ’68
Chief Justice, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit

Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69
Secretary of State, United States

Kristie Hansen ’69
Senior Policy Analyst, United
States Department of Education

Anne Patterson ’71
United States Ambassador to
Pakistan

Nora Manella ’72
Judge, California Court of Appeal

Judyann Rollins Bigby ’73
Massachusetts Secretary of
Health and Human Services

Joan Wallace-Benjamin ’75
Former Chief of Staff for Massachusetts Governor Deval
Patrick

Michele Sison ’81
Former United States Ambassador to Lebanon

Antonia DeMeo ’89
Head of Programme, United Nations Office for Project Services, Amman, Jordan

Siobhan McGill Abell ’90
Director of Floor Operations,
House Majority Leader, United
States Capitol

Ophelia Dahl CE/DS ’94
Executive Director, President, and Co-founder of Partners in Health

*These are just a few examples from our roster of amazing alumnae leaders, in order by year of graduation from Wellesley College.