Laila Schulmeisters Partridge

A Wellesley connection has been a driving force behind many pivotal moments in my life, from life altering job opportunities to deep friendships and memorable shared experiences. As an immigrants’ child, my path out of Wellesley was traditional. During my senior year, an alumnae-driven event, the Wall Street Warm-up, helped me land a banking job. Two more alum introductions later, I was in Silicon Valley at Intel Capital during its formation. The subsequent years blur with childrearing and work. Now at age 61, it is happening again. Over the past five years, I’ve watched in astonishment as high-powered careers were abandoned in favor of writing, traveling, and learning Italian. These retired Wellesley friends call it prefer-ment (versus retirement). Intellectual curiosity given free rein! As I finally make that leap to painting full-time, I recall a late-night walk from Pendleton West, when I decided to major in studio art.