Gretchen Gayle Ellsworth’s career began in the office of a Washington State Congressman. After a few years she moved to the Smithsonian Institution under the still-new Secretary, Dillon Ripley. From 1968 to 1988 she directed and expanded the Institution’s programs of fellowships which were aimed at supporting a lively intellectual life in and among the Smithsonian’s mix of programs. She successfully pressed for improving equity in treatment of women and minorities, considering both the status of employees and their representations in museum exhibits and programs. She moved to the National Zoo as Associate Director and retired in 1994. Retirement permitted her to embrace an athletic life as a competitive rower at Potomac Boat Club in DC. She has served on numerous community boards, ranging from bilingual child development, National Parks in Washington and rowing boathouse issues. She has three sons, is married to Bob Hirsch, and has lived in Adams Morgan for over 50 years.