Remembrances of Enid

by Ann Mandel

It is January 20, 2009 as I write, a great and historic day for America and the world. I know that Enid would want to be here to share this day and I join Gene, Melanie and you and all Enid's friends in wishing that she were here. I hope that somehow she knows how many of us are thinking of her each day.

I first knew Enid at Smith in Northrop House in the early 1950's when she entered as a freshman straight from the High School of Music and Art. I think of her now just as I first knew her-friendly, fun, out-going, generous, kind, enthusiastic and talented, exceptionally talented. Until then I had known no one with her intelligence and abundance of gifts and have known few since. I have been proud to know her.

One of her gifts was the gift of friendship. We kept up over the years sharing our love of Smith and the Smith Library-particularly the Mortimer Rare Book Room. I loved Enid's beautiful books. We were both interested in Sylvia Plath and her writing and legacy. And sometimes Gene and Steve and Enid and I would visit together as we did the last time in Philadelphia. That was a special friendship, too, and I hope Gene knows that.

Thank you, Peter, for asking me to be a part of this tribute to Enid. I know that it will be beautiful.

Ann Mandel