July 22nd 2023.
Hettie Simmons Love, the first Black graduate from the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has sadly passed away at the age of 100. As reported by Penn Live, Love graduated from the Ivy League institution in 1947, and was the only Black student at the time, accompanied by one other female student.
Love was remembered fondly in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, community as a pioneer and educator. James Crummel, an ABC27 anchor and former student of Love's daughter Karen, wrote on Facebook: "100-year-old Hettie Love was a trailblazer in more ways than one. She was passionate about education and was always giving back to the community. I always enjoyed our time together. It was a real honor to know her. She will absolutely be missed."
In 2021, the National Youth Foundation organized a workshop in which students wrote a book in honor of Hettie Love. Penn Today reported that the book, titled "Hettie Simmons Love: Penn Pioneer," included a special quote from Erika James, the first Black woman dean of Wharton. When Love returned to the campus for the writing workshop, James said to her: "I would not be here if it weren't for someone like you who paved the way. It's so inspiring to me, inspiring to your family, and to others... that it has resulted in a book in your honor. This book recognizes the work that you've done and the life you have led."
Before attending Wharton, Love completed her undergraduate education at Fisk University, and was a Diamond member of Fisk's Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She was married to George Love, with whom she shared two children, George Jr. and Karen.
The life and legacy of Hettie Simmons Love is an inspiring one, and she will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
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