"She would go to different Faculty in order to become acquainted with the institution," Rosovsky said. "I think that's quite unusual."

Gray said that Hope often came to special events at Harvard and got involved in things outside of her Corporation work.

"She has an enormous devotion to the University and to Faculty and students alike," Gray said.

With Hope's resignation, Gray will be the only female in the executive body, unless the search committee--composed of several members of the Corporation and the Board of Overseers--selects another woman for the position.

Gray said it has been important that she and Hope have served on Harvard's most powerful governing council.

"It is an expression of the reality that Harvard is an institution that is genuinely open alike to men and women," she said.

Bok said that having women in this body is beneficial.

"Having that point of view is valuable for any organization," Bok said, adding that including women as members of the Corporation inspires confidence in the University's female faculty members and students.