Alumnae Awards

The Distinguished Alumna Award is given to an alumna who embodies the highest ideal of the school through her professional or volunteer commitments. Leadership, a humanistic spirit, creativity, community involvement and professional achievement are among the qualities to be considered.

As a Partner at Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney (EYRC) Architects, Patti Rhee ‘90 has been instrumental in shaping several notable and award-winning projects, including The Culver Steps, Ivy Station, and the United Arab Emirates’ Federal National Council Parliament Complex. A graduate of Harvard's Graduate School of Design and the University of Pennsylvania, Patti has also completed the Ross Minority Program in Real Estate at USC, demonstrating her commitment to continued professional development.

 

Beyond her impressive career, Patti has been a passionate advocate for women in architecture, co-founding the AIA Los Angeles Women in Architecture committee and lecturing internationally. She has generously donated her time and talent to Bryn Mawr, playing a key role in the redesign of Higinbotham Hall, where her innovative concepts have transformed the space into modern, collaborative, and interactive areas for students. Patti's engagement with Bryn Mawr extends beyond design; she hosted a regional alumnae event in LA, and has served as a classroom speaker for math, computer science and industrial design classes across the Middle and Upper Schools.

The Senior Alumna Award goes to an alumna who graduated 50 or more years ago and who has made a significant contribution to the community as a dedicated volunteer or as a career professional.

Throughout her life, Debbie Gisriel Bittar ‘75 has been dedicated to both the health and well-being of children and adolescents and the Bryn Mawr community. After graduating from Bryn Mawr, Debbie attended the University of Pennsylvania before completing her medical degree and residency in Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. Her career has been marked by a deep commitment to pediatric care, with a particular focus on developmental pediatrics and adolescent medicine. 

Debbie has been a supporter, advisor, and advocate for Bryn Mawr since graduating. In addition to serving as a medical consultant for the school (including as a key resource for Ms. Sadler during the COVID pandemic), she’s contributed in numerous volunteer roles, including as a Parent Annual Fund volunteer, Alumnae Class Captain, Head of School search committee member, and 50th reunion committee member.

The Young Alumnae Award is given to an alumna who has graduated within the last 15 years who has distinguished herself in the community or in her profession.

Paris Bienert ‘10 is being honored with the Young Alumna Award for her remarkable contributions to both the Bryn Mawr community and the Baltimore community. Paris is one of Bryn Mawr’s best volunteers. She’s done everything from working full time in the Development office to serving as a Class Captain, Reunion Committee Member and member of the Alumnae Board. Just as she works to help make Bryn Mawr the best institution it can be, she dedicates her professional life and volunteer hours to making sure Baltimore residents and the City are well served. As a licensed clinical social worker, Paris has distinguished herself through her dedication to mental health, specializing in group therapy, addiction counseling, and trauma therapy. Additionally, she’s made a significant impact in political campaigns, fundraising, and strategy through her consulting work and by taking on leadership roles such as Chair of the State Central Committee for District 46 and running for Baltimore City Council in 2020.

The Anne Edmunds Croker '58 Award, named in honor of alumna Anne Edmunds Croker, Class of 1958, is a surprise every year and it is given by the Association to an alumna whose dedication to the School and participation in volunteer activities has been exemplary.

The 2025 Anne Edmunds Croker ’58 Alumna Service Award was given to Cynthia Amitin '85, P'20, in recognition of her work on the Board of Trustees, and as a fundraising volunteer, reunion committee member, and Alumnae Association Board member. According to her classmates, Cindy has single-handedly revitalized her class’s spirit, organizing everything from virtual catch-ups to in-person reunions, reminding us all why community matters so much. In addition to her magic touch with connection and camaraderie, Cindy has been deeply involved in service to Bryn Mawr, often in ways you’d only know about if someone else pointed them out—because she never would.

"She’s the kind of person who rolls up her sleeves and just gets to work, not because it’s expected, but because she cares."