A Family Affair: Generations of Dedication to Nightingale

Dedication to Nightingale is a family affair for Cathy Cramer '77, her sister Wendy Sanford '84, and their mother, Susan Hecht Tofel '48. Many things have changed over the decades, including the size and scope of both the schoolhouse and the student population (Mrs. Tofel graduated with a class of 10 women), but a caring community has remained a constant.

"This is such an important factor in a school. Nightingale is a place of high academic standards but it still cares about the individual. Students are seen not simply as scholars, but as whole girls facing the challenges of growing up, " Ms. Cramer said. Ms. Sanford also spoke of the dedicated community: "I've been back and forth with Nightingale over the years. We moved away for a couple of years when I was a child; I returned as part of the alumnae board after graduating; I worked in admissions a few years later. Each time, I was welcomed back as if I'd never left. "

Nightingale has been central to the lives of all three of these women. Mrs. Tofel was a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees and served as its president for 11 years. She was also part of the search committee to find a dynamic new Head of School—Dorothy Hutcheson. In fact, Nightingale's seventh-floor gymnasium is named for Mrs. Tofel in honor of her many contributions to the school.

Following their mother's example, Ms. Cramer and Ms. Sanford have also maintained close connections. In addition to Ms. Sanford's work in admissions and on the Alumnae Board, Ms. Cramer taught eighth grade history at the school and is now very involved with the greater New York independent school community as the Director of Interschool, of which Nightingale is a member.

All three of these remarkable women are members of the Luscinia Society, a group of alumnae, parents, and friends who have established planned gifts with Nightingale. Ms. Tofel finds it important to make Nightingale a philanthropic priority. "Nightingale prepared my daughters beautifully for college and for life. The school puts real value on the individual and allows every girl to achieve in her own way. I want future generations of girls to be part of such a strong institution." 

—Wendy Cebula P'18, P'20