Nearly 50 years after receiving her degree in international relations, Sharon Camp ’65 imparted wisdom to Pomona’s Class of 2013 in a Commencement speech delivered in absentia by Professor of Sociology Jill Grigsby.
“At least once in your life,” Camp said, “put everything you’ve got behind some big, hairy, audacious idea (and I plagiarized this term). I’ve done the big, hairy, audacious idea a few times myself, and believe me, there’s nothing that works better for growing the brain power.”
Camp, a pioneer in women’s reproductive health whom The New York Times called the “Mother of the ‘Plan B’ Contraceptive Pill,” died October 25.
She was 81.
While at Pomona, Camp never missed an opportunity to play elaborate jokes on her friends. The Pennsylvania native worked on the Metate yearbook staff, served as a tour guide and played badminton.
She also participated in Model United Nations.
After earning her Ph.D. in international relations from Johns Hopkins University, Camp embarked on a career in advocacy and global development.
She led Population Action International (PAI), a nonprofit focused on reproductive health care, from 1975 to 1993 and was considered one of the leading spokespeople for international family planning.
In 1997, Camp founded Women’s Capital Corporation, the start-up behind the development and commercialization of Plan B. Half of the proceeds of the emergency contraceptive pill went to the nonprofits that financed its development, with the rest going into a charitable trust.
Camp in 2003 joined Guttmacher Institute, a global research and policy organization focused on reproductive health, and served as president and CEO until her retirement in 2013.
“Beyond her institutional achievements, Sharon was a mentor and a champion of staff development, and her warmth and laughter lit up our office,” Guttmacher executives wrote in a statement following Camp’s passing. “She believed in lifting others up, and she created a culture at Guttmacher that valued collaboration, intellectual rigor, and compassion.”
Throughout her career, Camp authored or co-authored more than 70 publications on family planning, emergency contraception and reproductive health policy.
She received an honorary Ph.D. from Pomona in 2013, and in her Commencement speech to that year’s graduating class, she reflected on her decision to pursue a career as a pharmaceutical executive despite taking only two science courses at Pomona.
“Don’t ever let a lack of qualifications stop you from anything,” she said.
Camp closed her speech by encouraging the outgoing seniors to pursue their passions.
“It’s okay to start small, with a few dollars and a few friends—just be sure the potential impact is huge, because nothing is more fun than having a big impact on some of the things you care about.”
In honor of her 60th reunion, Camp committed a generous unrestricted bequest to Pomona, extending her more than four decades of consistent support. She was a member of the Granite & Sagebrush Society, which honors those who have included a gift for the College in their estate.
“Sharon’s work brought hope to women around the world,” President G. Gabrielle Starr says. “Her generosity reflects her belief in the power of education to create a better future, and it is profoundly moving to see that spirit carried forward in her gift.”
“Her legacy will help ensure that our students continue to thrive, lead and make a meaningful difference for generations to come.”
