Today, as we honor all women around the world, we feel compelled to mentioning one in particular: the thirteenth president of Cornell University and former USC provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Elizabeth “Beth” Garrett, who passed away on Sunday, March 6, following a courageous battle with colon cancer, was an outstanding woman.
Beth was a dynamic, inspiring, and innovative leader, devoted to her work and community. Her passion for the arts was remarkable; her support for USC’s Fisher Museum, unwavering. Beth was an exceptional, interdisciplinary educator with a remarkable energy towards enlightening generations. Beth was the first woman president of Cornell University and the first woman provost of USC.
International Women’s Day, originally called International Working Women’s Day, is celebrated today (March 8) every year.
Today is a day to highlight respect, appreciation, and love towards women for their social, economic, and political achievements.
On this International Women’s Day we know that Beth Garrett’s life will shine a light on others in generations to come.
In the video below, Beth Garrett shines her light on USC’s International Museums Institute (IMI) gathering in Oaxaca in May 2015. She argues for the power of universities and museums to shine their light on culture in unique and powerful ways.