Dream to Help Others
The Graduate School of Education alumna (EdS '90, PhD '93) didn't just earn her degrees—she found her life's direction. Now, she's paying that transformation forward through an estate gift that will open doors for the next generation of students.
“I’m grateful. I know that my Stanford degree has opened many doors, and I believe in education,” said Biddle, who wishes to leave a Stanford legacy that empowers others with the same opportunities she received. “To make your dreams come true at Stanford all you have to do is ask. It’s all you have to do. And they respond, ‘I'll help you do that.’”
When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Biddle struggled to pinpoint a specific profession, but her answer was always anchored to the same goal: “I want to help people.”
As an emeritus professor of child and adolescent development at Sacramento State University and an accomplished author, Biddle first dreamed of writing picture books during graduate school, featuring heroes who looked like her. Reflecting on these formative years, she said, “My time at Stanford GSE gave me the inspiration and the confidence that I could do it.”
Motivated by the birth of her son and her professional expertise, Biddle set out to write As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons, her latest children’s book that reminds every Black boy he is loved, powerful, and enough just as he is. Biddle noted that “the first draft of this book poured out of me” with the goal to profoundly impact child development by fostering cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
In 2018, Biddle received the GSE Alumni Excellence in Education Award for her contributions to child development and early education and their impact on marginalized groups, shedding light on the role of poverty, food scarcity, home insecurity, and racism in shaping a child’s future.
Keen to leave a legacy of helping others and recognizing the transformative power of a Stanford GSE education, she included the school in her estate plan. “It’s unparalleled,” she said. “There is nothing else like it that I’ve experienced. And so I’m thankful. I’m very thankful.”
With Biddle’s generous support, future generations of GSE students will not only receive an exceptional education but will also be inspired to pursue their dreams and make a meaningful impact in the world. Her commitment ensures that the spirit of helping others will ripple through the lives of countless students, creating a brighter future for all.
Biddle is an emeritus professor at Sacramento State University, where she joined the faculty in 2002. These days, her students are sometimes younger than those on a college campus.
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Your legacy can shape the future of education.
As a GSE Legacy Partner, your estate gift fuels innovation and creates opportunities for tomorrow's educators. It's a powerful way to ensure the Graduate School of Education continues breaking new ground—adapting, evolving, and transforming lives for generations to come.
Ready to make an impact?
Contact Andrea Apodaca at aapodaca@stanford.edu to explore your options.
