Michèle Kahn Spike (born 1951

Class of 1969), historian and social activist.[88]

What is Michèle Kahn Spike (born 1951 known for?

Michèle Kahn Spike, born in 1951, is a notable alumna of Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey. She is an accomplished American lawyer, historian, and lecturer known for her significant contributions in international corporate law and historical studies. After graduating Boston University School of Law in 1976, she became a member of the Bar of the State of New York the following year and focused on international corporate law.

For more than two decades from the late 1980s until 2011, Spike lived in Florence, Italy with her husband, renowned art historian John Spike. She began teaching at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary in the fall of 2012. Her expertise and dedication led to her appointment as Visiting Professor of the Practice of Law in 2017.

One of Spike's most notable works is the biography of Matilda of Tuscany, titled 'Tuscan Countess: The Life and Extraordinary Times of Matilda of Canossa' published in 2004. Her keen interest in this historical figure led her to curate two exhibitions in 2015 and 2016 in honor of the 900th anniversary of Matilda of Canossa's death.

In addition to her legal and academic work, Spike has been an active social activist. She was part of the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns of the Episcopal Church between 2003-2009, participating in delegations to Palestine and Israel and United Nations conferences. Since 2005, Spike has been serving as the Chancellor to the Bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. She continues to lecture on the Rule of Law, contributing to the academic and social community.

So, whether you know her as an attorney, a historian, an educator, or a social activist, Michèle Kahn Spike has truly left her mark on the world. From the classrooms of Tenafly High School to the global stage, she exemplifies what it means to be a person of impact.