Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, Communications Committee co-chair
On August 24, 2026, we lost a treasured Girlfriend: Dr. Judith Ramaley, who was also Portland State University Trustee and President Emerita. I remember walking into my first ninety-nine girlfriends Letter of Interest workshop in 2024. Judith was one of the first women I met. I remembered her name from the media and asked if she had been the PSU president. She greeted me with warmth, wit, and deep intelligence, which continued throughout our conversations overithe past few years. Our organization, state, and the entire science community benefited from Judith’s deep intelligence and insights in so many ways.
When she joined ninety-nine girlfriends in 2022, “she immediately dove in and got involved with grants,” says Tammy Wilhoite, Operations Committee co-chair. “She had great leadership skills and moved to leading a team and helping the committee in several ad hoc ways, and then joined Coordinating Council as an at-large member. She also contributed to Member Education. What an honor it was to call her a Girlfriend and work alongside her.”
Judith leaves an enormous legacy behind. As director of the National Science Foundation’s Education and Human Resources Division, she coined the STEM acronym (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in 2001. Previously, the foundation used the awkward acronym SMET to describe those combined educational disciplines. Judith rearranged the words because she did not like how "SMET" sounded. In the meantime, she oversaw a $900 million budget and campaigned for more participation of women and minorities in the sciences.
Judith dedicated her life to the education of young people, serving as administrator of several universities. She supported and increased the number of women scientists and was an early president of the Association for Women in the Sciences.
In 1990, she accepted the positions of president and professor of biology at Portland State University, becoming the first woman to helm a public university in Oregon. While at PSU, she had to fight for Portland State’s survival as a graduate school and demand the resources needed at the state level. According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, “In the 15 years since her tenure as president, her vision, mentoring, and consensus-building has had a transformative impact on PSU, bringing it national recognition as a center of educational innovation at a time when the Portland region was attracting national attention as a model for good planning. Her leadership at Portland State opened opportunities for community engagement and increased access to higher education in an urban setting.” She coined PSU’s motto, “Let knowledge serve the city.”
Our Girlfriends who served with Judith in leadership share their thoughts:
“I am so very sorry to learn of Judith’s passing. She was a champion for women, education, and Oregon. I had the privilege of knowing Judith for many years through my work with the International Women’s Forum, of which she was a member. She was revered among her peers and always so kind and gracious.” -Pip Meagher, former Governing Board chair
“It was an honor to know and work with her. It makes me happy to remember that she loved attending our Coordinating Council meetings. She said they stimulated her brain cells (how many people say that about meetings!?!). Such grace in the face of difficulty.” -Beth Parmenter, Member Education co-chair
“Judith’s passing is a huge loss to the entire Portland community. Her impact on education locally and nationally has been profound. We really lost a lion and a leader.” -Tong Zhang, Ph.D., Governing Board chair
“Oh what heartbreaking news. Judith had so much wisdom to share.” -Sasha Muench, Coordinating Council co-chair
“We were lucky for having known her. What a dedicated champion of all that’s good.” -Barbara Hilyer, former Member Education co-chair
“Judith was such a gem. I'm glad we were all able to benefit from her experience, wisdom, and kindness.”-April Hasson, Coordinating Council member at large
“Judith was obviously a renowned educator who made a huge impact at PSU. I was impressed with her insight, experience, and commitment to staying vital to the end.” -Gina Taylor, Communications co-chair
“Such a lovely, wise woman who affected countless lives through her dedication to education and her community. My heart goes out to her family. It was an honor to work with her and receive her wisdom and advice.” -Megan Leftwich, Membership co-chair
“Indeed, a delight to know her and, it seems, an admirable life. May we continue our work in her honor.” -Jane Ullman, Finance
Judith's full legacy at PSU is documented in the university’s tribute to her. How fortunate we were to learn from her, and to call her a Girlfriend.