Meet Our Donors
Ann T. Burroughs, 1940
Ann Taveau Burroughs entered Roland Park Country School in the Third Primary (Middle School) and made her mark on RPCS in many ways. She was a four-sport athlete who earned a White Blazer for her participation on the Varsity Field Hockey, Basketball, Lacrosse and Tennis teams. She was voted Best Athlete in her class and captained the Field Hockey team in her senior year. In addition she was the notable business manager of the Red & White student newspaper and the Quid Nunc yearbook. Ann was a member of the Music Club for five years but she was best known by her classmates as being Most Practical and Most Obstinate! In describing a Model Senior in the Class of 1940, the Quid Nunc noted she would have the Forehead and Smile of Ann. Her theme song was A Little Bit Independent and it was noted she was "always found winning an argument." Outside of School, Ann was passionate about sailing and had her own boat at the age of sixteen.
Ann loved RPCS according to Holliday (Holly) Cross Heine, 1962 who became Ann's "step daughter" later in life. "Ann loved the emphasis on thinking and writing at RPCS and that education for women was sincerely valued." Ann was fond of all her teachers, but classmate Martha Reid Hudson, 1940 stated it was "beloved RPCS science teacher Eleanor Graham" who inspired Ann to pursue the study of chemistry at Randolph Macon Woman's College. "Ann was also very fond of Miss Norris (physical education)."
Ann grew up as an only child whose father taught her that women should independently earn their own living. She began her career as a chemist. However, Ann found chemistry "confining," said Holly, "and soon found she had a knack and an intuitive sense for investing." Dorothy McIlvain Scott, 1932 remembers Ann as "very independent and self-willed. She loved business and was really good at it." Martha believes "she got her wonderful business mind from her father" and noted "she should have been a CEO somewhere." Ann had an affinity for business and managed her finances and those of her family members successfully for many years.
According to friend Patricia C. Goldsborough, 1947, Ann was "a very sincere, caring and honorable person who was a lot of fun." Dare Myers Hartwell, executor of Ann Burroughs' estate and her cousin once removed remembered Ann as a smart, active, independent woman, "something of a role model for me when I was growing up." Dare tells a story that clearly illustrates Ann's independence and self-confidence. When Dare was twelve her family traveled from Georgia to visit her grandparents in Washington, DC. Ann and her parents were scheduled to come for lunch on the day of a severe wind and rain storm in Baltimore. Dare remembers that Ann braved the storm and drove her family to Washington. "I was unbelievably impressed," said Dare, "I had never known any woman who would do that."
Ann was a founding member of the Red & White Legacy - a group of thoughtful alumnae, trustees, parents, employees and friends of RPCS who have notified the School of its inclusion in their estate or financial plans. The Ann T. Burroughs, 1940 Endowment for Faculty Compensation was created in 2010 through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust planned gift. Ann cared deeply for the School and the continued strength of its faculty. Ann was described by Holly as being "incredibly generous" and all of us at RPCS are deeply grateful that she chose to honor the extraordinary RPCS faculty with her bequest.