A Journey to Graduation: Rosie Rines Achieves Her College Dream at 79

When Rosie Rines graduated from Boston's Roslindale High School in 1964, attending college felt out of reach. Fast forward to this month, at the age of 79, she’s stepping onto the stage to receive her Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies from Harvard Extension School, cheered on by her daughters.

Reflecting on her youth, Rines said, “At that time, you either got married and had children or you had a job.” She recalls how societal norms kept her from pursuing education, saying, “I didn’t know I could just say, ‘I’m 18, I’m going to do what I want.’” Her journey illustrates that it’s never too late to chase educational aspirations. After marrying young and relocating to California with her three-year-old twin daughters, Rines worked tirelessly as a single mother through various jobs, always prioritizing her family.

After returning to the East Coast when her daughters were 7, Rines initiated her college journey by enrolling at Quincy College. However, balancing full-time work proved challenging, and she ultimately paused her studies after attaining an associate degree.

In 2013, Rines rekindled her educational pursuit at Harvard Extension School. Yet again, life interrupted her plans following her mother’s passing two years later. “By then so much was going on with school and my mother and family, I needed a break,” she recalled. “As much as I knew I wanted to finish, it had to come to me.”

In 2022, however, an unexpected drive spurred her to return to her studies. With renewed focus, Rines completed her coursework in time for the upcoming graduation. Her daughter, Karen McCabe, an academic adviser at the Extension School, had long hoped to see her mother finish. "She’s a very stubborn person. So when she said, ‘I’m not coming back,’ there’s no pushing her until she was ready,” McCabe noted. “But then she was ready, and it’s really exciting.”

Rines' determination has not only been a personal achievement but serves as a legacy for her daughters. McCabe emphasized that their mom's commitment to education has deeply influenced the sisters' perspectives on schooling. “She’s been telling us ‘You will go to college’ since the day we were born,” McCabe shared. “We never thought about other options.”

Rines credits her own mother’s experiences as a seamstress for her belief in the importance of education. “My mother was so qualified yet was kind of pushed aside,” Rines explained, reflecting on the limitations her mother faced without a college degree. “I didn’t want that for my daughters.”

This journey back to school has brought immense pride to Rines' daughters. “They love education. They love learning,” Rines remarked, describing how her return to college inspired her daughters to embrace new ideas and discussions. She humorously recounted the struggles she faced with technology in her online classes, saying, “I know I drove them crazy, but that’s OK. I was so afraid to hit the wrong button.”

Although the typical student at Extension School is often in their 30s or 40s, Rines found her classmates were predominantly younger. “I always felt like I was the oldest, and at first I wasn’t very sure of myself,” she admitted. However, engaging in discussions often proved affirming. “It was very affirming to me when someone would respond and say, ‘Wow, I never thought of it that way,’” she said, reinforcing her valuable contributions in class.

With her graduation now behind her, Rines is looking ahead. She plans to continue volunteering and is excited about taking new classes at her local senior center, including dance and writing. To celebrate this milestone, she and her daughters are also gearing up for a cross-country road trip.