Genevieve Young '52

Alumnae Achievement Awards 1982

Editor, Publishing Executive

Born in Geneva, Genevieve Young graduated from Wellesley College in 1952 with a political science degree. Her family lived in London, Shanghai, and the Philippines, since her father’s job as a Chinese diplomat required extensive traveling. She attended Abbot Academy for girls in Andover, Massachusetts before attending Wellesley.

After graduating, Young worked at Harper & Brothers publishing company as a stenographer. Although she could not type and did not know shorthand, Young learned quickly. By 1970, she was named executive editor at J.B. Lippincott publishing company, and was eventually elected vice president. Since then, she has served as senior editor of Little, Brown & Company, editor in chief of Literary Guild of America, vice president and editorial director of Bantam Book, lecturer at the Center for Publishing at New York University, and as an alumni trustee board member at Phillips Academy.

Even with her busy schedule, Young has found time to volunteer for multiple associations. These organizations include Meserve-Kunhardt Foundation, Literacy Volunteers of New York City, Youth Counseling League and Women’s Media Group.

Currently, Young is enjoying retirement, but still does some freelance manuscript editing. She spends her time visiting museums, galleries and theaters, ballroom dancing, traveling, and spending time with her large family, including her sister, Shirley Young ’55.