Betty James Montgomery ’72 & Elizabeth “Betsy” Crane Griffith ’72

"We want to wear pants!"

Classmates Betty Montgomery and Betsy Griffith reminisce about very different times at Converse. When students decided it was time they be allowed to wear pants, they took matters into their own hands.

Betty Montgomery graduated from Converse in 1972 with a major in Comprehensive Science. She went on to receive her nursing degree from USC Upstate in 1973. She is the chairperson of The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg's board and recently published a book entitled "A Four-Season Southern Garden." Betty is also the chairwoman of the Noble Tree Foundation, a member of the President's Advisory Board at Wofford College, a board member of the Seth Milliken Foundation, and a Spartanburg County Foundation Director. She lives in Campobello, SC.

Betsy Griffith graduated from Converse in 1972 with a BA in Religion, with a minor in Elementary Education. She retired from Morgan Stanley in New York in 2006 after 30 years. Betsy is co-chair of Morven Museum and Gardens, is active with the Delaware and Raritan Greenway, and is vice president of the Garden Club of Princeton. She is a former chair of the Converse College Board of Trustees and a former member of the Converse College Board of Visitors. Betsy lives in Princeton, NJ.

In celebration of our 125th anniversary, Converse is recording conversations that capture the unique voice, value and vision of our College community. The project launched during Reunion Weekend 2014, with a team of student digital journalists interviewing alumni, students, faculty and staff. The resulting stories span decades of friendships, life experiences and careers. The Conversations project was funded by a gift from President Betsy Fleming in honor of the College's anniversary.