At 79, Rosie Rines is set to graduate from Harvard Extension School, fulfilling a long-held aspiration she once had for her mother and encouraged in her children. Her daughters will be there to witness her receive her degree later this month, marking a significant milestone after graduating from Roslindale High School in 1964 when college seemed out of reach.<\/p>\n
Rines reflects on the past saying, \u201cAt that time, you either got married and had children or you had a job,\u201d but she didn’t realize she could pursue her own path. Her journey is a testament to the idea that it is never too late for education. Moving to California as a young bride with her twin daughters, she juggled work and parenting alone, returning to the East Coast when her girls were 7 to begin her academic journey.<\/p>\n
She initially attended Quincy College, earning an associate degree at 36, but paused her education due to work commitments. She resumed at Harvard Extension School in 2013, but paused again due to personal circumstances. In 2022, she found the motivation to complete her degree, earning a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies.<\/p>\n
Her daughter, Karen McCabe, an adviser at the Extension School, recalls her mother\u2019s determination and the impact of her educational journey. McCabe notes her mother\u2019s insistence on the importance of college, a lesson impressed upon her and her sister since childhood. Rines\u2019 belief in education stems from observing her own mother\u2019s struggles without a college degree.<\/p>\n
Rines\u2019 return to school has been a source of pride for her daughters. While they enjoyed her renewed interest in learning, Rines joked about the tech challenges she faced with their help. Despite being older than most classmates, she found affirmation through engaging in class discussions.<\/p>\n
With her studies complete, Rines plans to continue volunteering and taking classes at a local senior center. She and her daughters are also excited about an upcoming road trip across the country to celebrate this achievement.<\/p>\n