Ethel Kennedy remembers her alma mater, Manhattanville University

PURCHASE – The death of Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a longtime philanthropist and human rights activist, drew widespread attention from the Manhattanville University community.

Kennedy, who died Oct. 10 at age 96, was a 1949 graduate of what was then known as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. At that time, Manhattanville was a Catholic women’s college (until 1969) and was located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The campus was moved to Purchase in 1952.

Obituary: Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, dies at age 96

“Ethel Kennedy embodied unwavering courage, compassion and a commitment to social responsibility,” Frank D. Sánchez, president of Manhattanville University, said in a statement. “It makes me proud that Manhattanville and the incredibly strong women who founded it played a role in shaping the values she held throughout her life.”

Vibrant student, passionate about social justice

Ethel Skakel, the Connecticut girl, was known as a vivacious student with a heart of gold and a larger-than-life personality, college officials recalled.

The courageous English student was a classmate of Jean Kennedy. Ethel met Jean’s brother Robert F. Kennedy during a ski trip. Ethel and Bobby Kennedy shared a passion for politics and a commitment to service and social justice. They were married in 1950.

The couple had 11 children during their 18-year marriage; The youngest was born in 1968, shortly after RFK’s murder.

Honors for commitment to human rights

Ethel Kennedy founded what is now Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, a nonprofit organization that advocates and educates about important human rights issues. The organization is led by her daughter Kerry Kennedy, a lawyer and activist.

Manhattanville awarded Ethel Kennedy an honorary doctorate of humane literature in 2020. This year, the Ethel Kennedy Award for Human Rights Leadership was also presented as part of the doctoral program at the School of Education in Manhattanville.

In recognition of her life’s work, President Obama presented Ethel Kennedy with the Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, in 2014.

Supported by strong faith

In a statement posted on the RFK Human Rights website, the Kennedy family noted their matriarch’s lifelong commitment to social justice and human rights. They also honored Ethel Kennedy as a devout Catholic and daily communicant.

“We are comforted to know that she is reunited with the love of her life, our father Robert F. Kennedy, her children David and Michael, her daughter-in-law Mary, her grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse, and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie.

She is survived by nine of her children, 34 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vibrant student, passionate about social justice

Honors for commitment to human rights

Supported by strong faith

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