Helen Elmquist Cutler ’56†: Accomplished attorney and musician
We like to say that Mayfield is a place where “gifts come alive.” Helen Elmquist Cutler ’56 was clearly an early model of this adage. She served as Crossroads yearbook photography editor. A skilled piano player, she earned the music award at graduation and won a certificate of honor at talent competition at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Helen embodied the spirit of a lifelong learner, earning her bachelor’s degree in music and history from USC in 1960.
She went on to receive a law degree from UCLA in 1981 and was an expert in personal injury and worker’s compensation law. She and her husband, Allan, also an attorney, co-authored a book, The Jew as Ally of the Muslim: Medieval Roots of Anti-Semitism, which was nominated for the National Jewish Book Award. A member of the Bellefontaine Society from its inception, Helen always wanted to make a lasting gift to her alma mater. Her generosity enables a new generation of girls to discover their own unique gifts at Mayfield.
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
