It is with profound sadness that Emory University announces the death of our courageous colleague, Betsey Fox-Genovese, who passed away after a prolonged struggle against failing health on Tuesday, 2 January 2007. Betsey joined Emory University in 1986 as Professor of History and Founding Director of Women’s Studies. Two years later she was appointed as the Eléonore Raoul Professor of Humanities, an honor she held throughout the remainder of her long and illustrious career. She was well known across the nation as a passionate mentor, a tough critic and a compassionate advocate. Our nation honored her and through her, our profession in February 2003, when the United States Senate confirmed President Bush’s nomination of Betsey as a member of the Governing Council of the National Endowment for the Humanities. In a manner that all who knew her came to respect and admire, and often stood in awe of while watching, she threw herself into every task with unbridled enthusiasm. Her engagement assured the elevation of any topic under discussion. She is survived by Eugene Genovese, distinguished historian and husband of many years, and by scores of devoted students and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, 14 April, 2007 at 3:00PM in the Cannon Chapel of Emory University.

Sincerely,
The Department of History
And the Department of Women’s Studies
Emory University