Long accustomed to fighting for social justice while battling her own health issues, Alyce Gowdy Wright ’16 succumbed to cancer in May at age forty-three. Prior to law school, she led a number of labor, LGBTQ, faith-based, fair housing, and immigration justice organizations and efforts around the country. She enrolled in law school at thirty-eight years old to better advocate for labor, housing, and immigrant rights.
While at BC Law, Wright was recognized with the Sheila McGovern Award for Achievement of Personal Goals under Extraordinary Circumstances. Despite undergoing chemo and radiation treatment during her 3L year, she managed to graduate on schedule. Following graduation, she clerked for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and then joined the firm of Nutter McClennen & Fish as an associate in the Real Estate division.
Wright saw organizing as faith in action, affirming the dignity of each individual while creating meaningful relationships among them.
“Alyce was a force and was fierce, in the best sense of the word,” said Elizabeth Rosselot, assistant to the dean. “She was a fighter, not only in her cancer bouts but in her faith-informed activism prior to starting law school at a later age. Alyce knew she wouldn’t have a long life and made every day count. While this reality was reflected in a frank honesty, it was also wrapped in kindness and a marvelous joy-filled life with her husband and one-year old son.”