April 25, 2024

Death of Alice Rabson, Retired Psychology Professor and Community Activist

It is with regret that we inform you that Alice B. Rabson, former professor of psychology, died in Fredericksburg on Monday, Oct. 22, at the age of 92.

Born in New York City in 1920, Rabson taught at Cornell University, the Fels Research Institute, Purdue University and the Merrill-Palmer Institute before joining the Mary Washington faculty in 1969.

During her 15-year tenure at Mary Washington, Rabson traveled extensively and wrote and presented on the changing roles of women.

After her retirement from Mary Washington in 1985, Rabson joined the Peace Corps at age 65.

She was co-founder of and longtime counselor for the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence (now known as Empowerhouse). She also served as president of the Fredericksburg chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and was on the state board of the National Organization for Women.

A memorial gathering will be held in Rabson’s honor at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 25 Chalice Circle, on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m.

The Free Lance-Star remembered Rabson in the article “Rabson Leaves a Legacy of Activism.”

About Brynn Boyer

Brynn Boyer is assistant director of media and public relations and a 2010 graduate of UMW.