Ruth Simmons, a former president of Smith College, recently received the French Legion of Honor. Jill Ker Conway, another former president at Smith, was also recently awarded a foreign honor.
The National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is given to individuals who have contributed to the advancement of French arts and culture.
The Consulate General of France in Boston reported that Consul General of France Fabien Fieschi said of Ruth, “She has continuously fought against inequality and discrimination… promoting and relentlessly teaching human rights and values that France has always honored and supported. The nomination of Ms. Simmons as Chevalier dans l´ordre de la Légion d´Honneur is a small token of our admiration and recognition for a life dedicated to the power of intelligence and education to transform lives, for a career dedicated to being a visionary leader in academia.”
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