Equal Rights for Women: Meet Carol Soutra Quinn ’63

Carol Quinn ’63 graduated from Bay Path more than 50 years ago, but what she learned and the connections she made have helped carry her to where she is today.  A strong, independent woman, Carol credits her Bay Path education for much of her success.

“I first learned about Bay Path when Ms. Bradley, [Alice Bradley, from the Admissions Department at Bay Path] came to my high school, Commerce High School in Springfield. I was very much a homebody, but Bay Path was willing to let me live here, which was one of the most important things for my dad—that I have the full college experience—to learn to live with other people, even though I didn’t want to go far.” But, go far she did.

Carol lived with four other girls in Empsall Hall during her freshman year. “We thought we were really great because we had our own bathroom—and one closet.” Bay Path was only a two-year school at the time, but her education gave Carol some very important skills—typing and shorthand in particular— now a lost art.  Many years later, while visiting a lawyer with her husband, the lawyer noticed Carol’s shorthand and immediately said to her “I’d love to have you in my office”, to which Carol replied, “too late!” 

Carol’s first job out of college was at a bank, where she typed up wills and trusts. Her Bay Path connections helped her advance her career at the bank, and eventually led to her being the Executive Secretary at the Forbes and Wallace store, working for Mr. Wallace. Eventually, Carol found her forever job at the Springfield Republican as Assistant Personnel Director, interviewing and hiring people. “I really loved my job. My boss was a wonderful guy. He was willing to give me more and more responsibility. In those days, that was really important, and I was ready to take it.”

“Working at the newspaper was exciting. If anything was happening, we heard about it first.”  When a friend of hers was tragically killed in an airplane crash, she was able to get the quickest information to friends and family.

Carol retired to have her daughter, but she didn’t JUST stay home. Carol has served the community in leadership roles at the Chamber of Commerce, was on the Board of the Red Cross, and served on the Alumni Council at Bay Path. She also had seats on the house committees at both Springfield Country Club and the Colony Club. Currently, Carol works part-time as a substitute secretary in the Longmeadow school system.

And the Bay Path connections keep coming. Mr. Phillip Ryan is a friend of Carol’s, so when they were building the Ryan Health Science Center, Bay Path’s East Longmeadow campus housing graduate programs in both the medical and education fields, Carol just knew she had to be a part of it. Now, you will find treatment bay, named in memory of Dr. John J. Quinn, at the state-of-the-art facility.

From her time at Bay Path, Carol has fond memories of her English and Art classes. “We used to go out onto the campus and set up an easel and paint.” She participated in campus fashions shows as a model and would go on the Bay Path Spring break trips to Bermuda. “We would have teas where we would wear a hat and gloves and a suit.” During the week there was an 11:00 p.m. curfew, 12 a.m. on weekends, and trousers were not allowed – just knee socks and skirts. “Things have changed, women have changed.”

One of the things that has remained important to Carol over the years is Bay Path’s commitment to remaining a women’s school. “I’ve stayed connected to Bay Path all these years because I believe in Bay Path’s mission and long-term commitment to women’s education and programs offered to pursue higher degrees in a variety of courses, for employment opportunities for women. I have been, in my own way, an equal rights proponent for women. I’ve seen a lot of changes, but we still have a ways to go.” Being a strong woman, and helping to raise strong women, (Carol has one grown daughter and two granddaughters), remains a priority for Carol.

 “Bay Path really trained me well to get a job after college. And Dr. Leary has done an exceptional job for those who came after me. The search committee will certainly have big shoes to fill with Bay Path’s next President!”

Carol’s advice for recent grads? “Be yourself.  That’s important, because in the long run, it’s you who has to live with you. Be kind, and be thoughtful, but don’t let anyone take advantage of that. This is especially important for women, and especially important these days.”