Sally Pritchett earns award from Alfred University

Col. Sally J. Pritchett, USMC (Ret.)

Colonel Sara “Sally” J. Pritchett of Springfield, VA, received the Abigail Allen Award for Service to Women during the 124th Annual Alumni Association Awards Picnic earlier this month. The award is given to honor an Alfred alumnus/a in recognition of distinctive career achievement, community service, or avocational pursuits that have improved the quality of women’s lives.

A member of the lfred University 1962 graduating class, Pritchett was nominated by Kerry Kautzman, professor of Spanish and women’s studies, Dr. Julia Overton-Healy, director of the Women’s Leadership Center (WLC), and other members of the Women’s Studies Executive Committee for her service in the United States Marine Corps.

Pritchett served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) from 1964-87 primarily working in public affairs. She retired as a Navy Information Officer at the Pentagon. Following her discharge, she spent two years as president of the International Women’s Forum.

She was then recruited to be the assistant to retired Air Force Brigadier, General Wilma L. Vaught, president of the Women in Military Service for American Memorial Foundation, Inc. Now fully retired, Pritchett volunteers for the Nova Health System educational program and attends USMC Combat Correspondents Association and Women in Military meetings.

Pritchett also continues to offer her time and knowledge to Alfred students. In 2007 she gave a personal tour of the Women in Military Service Memorial for AU students visiting Washington, D.C. on a WLC-organized trip.

Pritchett studied at Alfred University for two years before transferring to Maryland to complete a degree in communications (that was not offered at the time at AU.) She was a member of Alpha Kappa Omicron and the AU choir. She continued her education at Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, earning a master’s degree in public administration.