Walker’s Welcomes Mimi Gardner Gates ’60 for Women of Distinction Series

Mimi Gardner Gates ’60 returned to Walker’s to share her life story and the important lessons she has learned along the way. As a Walker’s alumna, she reflected on her formative experiences at the School and beyond, offering students valuable insight into the many paths their own lives might take.

Mimi was this year’s Margaret Huling Bonz Women of Distinction Speaker, a series designed to expose the Walker’s community to a culturally diverse array of accomplished women representing a wide range of professions. It is made possible by an endowed fund established through the generous contributions of donors in recognition of Dr. Margaret Huling Bonz for her 11 years of leadership as head of The Ethel Walker School. Past speakers include Gloria Steinem, Edna Adan, Dr. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, and, most recently, Karenna Gore.

Mimi served as Director of the Seattle Art Museum for 15 years, from 1994 to 2009, and is now Director Emerita. Prior to this position, she spent 19 years at the Yale University Art Gallery (1975–1994), first as Curator of Asian Art and later as Director. She has been a Fellow of the Yale Corporation and is the Founder and Chairman of the Dunhuang Foundation. Currently, she serves as Chairman of the Blakemore Foundation, sits on the boards of Heritage University and Copper Canyon Press, and is Trustee Emerita of the Gates Cambridge Scholars Trust at the University of Cambridge, UK. Mimi also formerly chaired the National Indemnity Program at the National Endowment for the Arts and served on the Getty Leadership Institute Advisory Committee. A specialist in the history of Chinese art, Mimi has devoted much of her recent work to the magnificent Buddhist cave temples of Dunhuang in northwest China.

During her address, Mimi reflected on how her years at Walker’s shaped her into the person she aspired to become:

“It was here at Walker’s that I first learned to think for myself —  to think independently, to write, and to speak. And it was here that I formed lifelong friendships. If I had not had the advantage of attending Walker’s and later Yale, I doubt that I would have had the marvelous life and career I’ve had.”

She shared that it was at Walker’s where she developed the principle of “constructive rebellion” — a mindset that guided her to live fearlessly and with purpose. Speaking to students, she emphasized how this principle continues to inspire her:

“Fear is our greatest enemy. If you overcome fear, it’s amazing what life can be.”

Mimi’s visit underscored the lifelong impact of Walker’s education and its commitment to empowering women to lead lives of purpose. Her words inspired students to embrace curiosity, take risks, and lead with courage.