Posted On
Topics
Alumni
Profiles
Share
As the Emmanuel College Class of 1975 looks forward to celebrating its 50th reunion in May 2025, one group of women stands out: "The Herd." This extraordinary collection of friends has maintained a bond that spans more than five decades, with members supporting one another through life’s joys and challenges, building and preserving traditions and maintaining connections that transcend geography and time.
From their days in Julie Hall, Loretta, and St. Joseph’s, to their annual traditions like Herd Thanksgivings and summer weekends, the Herd exemplifies the enduring power of friendship.
Five members of The Herd, Karen Cooney Burke, Gail McCarthy Graziano, Martha Gavry LoPorto, Anna Mantgiaris Zafirson Rapp, and Celeste Vezina, sat down for an interview about their close-knit circle of friends. The Herd originally had 18 members; sadly Adrienne O’Brien Beattie, passed away from cancer in 2021.
Other members include: Karen Hume Baptiste, Susanne DiLiddo Campagna, Paula Carens, Ronalee Keenan Crocker, Cheryl Bumpus Daily, Michelle Demers, Marie Campagna Franklin, Mary Jo Leary Grubbs, Denise Cynkus Leslie, Maureen McLellan Lovejoy, Susan Lantagne Schranze, and Marianne Marrinan Townsend.
How It All Began
The Herd’s origins trace back to their freshman year at Emmanuel, when friendships blossomed over shared meals in the cafeteria and lively conversations about classes, weekend plans, and letters from home. By graduation, they were a tight-knit circle of women, united by their humor, shared experiences, and a love for Bette Midler’s “Friends”—a song that became their anthem. In fact, at a concert at the Wang Center, Bette herself shouted a “Hi to all you in the last row of the last balcony.” “I would be surprised if she did not hear us screaming from those very seats as we danced in the aisle!” Martha said.
Dining together in the cafeteria was a cornerstone of their bond. “While the food wasn’t gourmet, it didn’t matter—we relished being able to rehash our day with one another, talking about our classes, a letter we may have received, what was on our young minds, and the all-important weekend plans,” Celeste said. “We also have stories of sneaking in after curfew, climbing the fence to get back on campus, and hitchhiking around Boston—things we laugh about now but marvel at how fearless we were back then!” These escapades had lasting impacts: Gail even met her future husband during one of their adventures.
The Herd’s Emmanuel College years were not only shaped by their friendships but also by the faculty who inspired them. Many of them were history majors and held deep admiration for Dr. Don Logan, whose junior-year program in England was transformative. “Dr. Logan was a mentor and a friend. He provided dinners to weary travelers, showed us around the city, and brought London’s history and literature to life,” Karen said. Dr. Logan’s influence extended far beyond their time abroad. “We stayed connected through the years, continuing those rich conversations over dinners until his passing,” Celeste said. “His passion and dedication to his students were something we treasured.”
The name “The Herd” emerged after a playful interaction in Harvard Yard early freshman year. They were visiting a friend, Wayne, and his friends called them his “Harem.” The women quickly vetoed that term, and instead embraced the name “The Herd,” a nod to Wayne’s upbringing on a farm in Canada.
The Motto: "Your Deal Is Our Deal"
At the heart of their connection is their unwavering commitment to one another. “Our motto has always been, ‘Your deal is our deal,’” Karen said. This philosophy has guided them through marriages, divorces, births, careers, and difficult times. “When one of us is facing something—good or bad—it’s something we all face together,” Gail said.
“When we lost Adrienne to cancer, it was devastating for her beautiful family as well as us,” Martha said. “Adrienne’s special grace will always be missed and we toast her whenever we are together. The Herd came together in the way we always do—offering love, support, and strength to each other as well as her family.”
From the beginning, the group has collectively given flowers, gifts, gestures of support during weddings, illness, or losses. In recent years, the self-appointed “CFO,” Karen Baptiste, has made life much easier as she manages all cash flow. One treasured tradition is gifting Simon Pearce glassware to their children for weddings, a practice inspired by their trips to Vermont’s Simon Pearce glass company.
A Legacy of Friendship and Support
Through every stage of life, The Herd has remained a steadfast presence for one another. Their children grew up witnessing the depth of their bond, often referring to The Herd as a second family. “Our kids say it’s like having 17 aunties,” Celeste said. “One of them told us, ‘It always felt like a celebration when The Herd gathered.’”
Their traditions, humor, and unwavering loyalty have inspired the next generation to form their own tight-knit groups. “The fact that many of our children have started Herds of their own is something we are all proud of,” Gail said.
The Essence of The Herd
Whether gathering for Thanksgiving, traveling to far-flung locations, or simply emailing congratulations or comfort, the group embodies Emmanuel’s spirit of cura personalis—care for the whole person. As Anna described, “All it takes is one email to our 17 Herd sisters, and within seconds, there are 17 messages of congratulations or comfort.”
At the heart of it all is a belief in the power of friendship to sustain and uplift. Asked to describe the Herd with three words, the answer was easy: family, supportive, blessed. As they approach their 50th reunion, The Herd’s story is a celebration of enduring friendship—a legacy of love, laughter, and unflagging support that continues to inspire.
