110 Years Young

Joan Robertson MUS’34, USM’s longtime supporter and oldest living alumna, reflects on her favorite school memories and her lifelong commitment to peace and education.

Joan Robertson still remembers the name of every girl in her senior class at Milwaukee University School, which is remarkable considering she graduated in 1934—92 years ago. At 110, she is USM’s oldest living alumna, but her memory is as sharp as a tack. She’ll gladly tell you how thrilled she was when Jack Wilson MUS’31 invited her to the junior prom, even though she was a freshman, and fondly reminisce about chatting with her friends in the girls’ bathroom—among her favorite memories from high school. 

She inherited a passion for world peace and activism from her mother, Annette J. Roberts, an 1898 graduate of the German-English Academy, peace activist, and suffragist. At USM, Joan has long supported the Upper School Global Scholars program and Global Scholars Crisis Simulation event, as well as Model UN and UN Model Congress. She also supported the development of the United Nations Schools of International Learning (UNSIL) curriculum, currently in use at 14 Milwaukee Public Schools, which teaches critical academic skills with a focus on world affairs and current events. “We’re quite proud of it,” said Joan. “It’s something we need more of today, the idea of diplomacy and negotiation.” 

Joan lives at home, under the care of her children, Annette Robertson and Allan Robertson MUS’64. (Her son, Jay Robertson ’70, lives in Florida.) In addition to her work with UNSIL, she stays busy answering calls from reporters. She was named a Woman of Influence by the “Milwaukee Business Journal” in 2017, was interviewed for “Lake Effect” by WUWM 89.7 in 2018, received the Agent of Peace Award from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee in 2023, and was celebrated on Instagram by Connecticut College as their oldest living alumnus in 2025.

Many people ask Joan what the secret is to her longevity, and her answer is simple. “I think it’s having a purpose and mission, something you are totally dedicated to that you view with optimism and hope. I think that is what keeps me going.”