Smith College Medalists for 2007
 
Five alumnae have been selected as recipients of the Smith College Medal, to be awarded at Rally Day on February 21, 2007. They are: Sarah Chasis '69, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., a public interest organization that specializes in environmental protection; Mary Ann Freedman Hoberman '51, author of children's poetry books, winner of the National Book Award for A House is a House for Me; Carolyn Scerbo Kaelin '83, physician, director of the Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital; Amy-Jill Levine '78, chair of Vanderbilt Divinity School's Carpenter Program in religion, gender, and sexuality; and Trudy Rubin '65, foreign correspondent and finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for her commentary on the Middle East.
 
  Alumna named tenth president of Sarah Lawrence College
  In November, the Board of Trustees of Sarah Lawrence College appointed Karen Lawrence '69 as the college's tenth president. She will succeed Dr. Michele Tolela Myers, who will retire in August after a nine-year presidency. A highly regarded English literature scholar and teacher, Lawrence has a reputation for innovative, creative, and collaborative leadership at the School of Humanities at the University of California, Irvine, where she has served as dean since 1998. "She has been a champion of the liberal arts, pioneering the establishment of interdisciplinary programs among the humanities, the arts, and the sciences," said Robert Riggs, chair of Sarah Lawrence College's Board of Trustees. "We know that as our next president, she will be an effective and articulate ambassador for Sarah Lawrence College." Lawrence earned a master's degree in English from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in English, with distinction, from Columbia University.
 
  Radio for women
 
Gloria Steinem '56 has joined forces with actress and activist Jane Fonda to bring what they call "a little bit of sanity" back to talk radio. The two have founded Greenstone Media to develop radio programming by and for women, who are abandoning talk radio as it becomes more mean-spirited and extreme. "Multiple points of view will be presented," Steinem said. "And if a caller disagrees with a viewpoint, she won't be told she's stupid." So far, they have recruited Maureen Langan, Cory Kahaney, Nelsie Spencer, Rolonda Watts, and Mo Gaffney to host various shows. Programming has begun to appear on various FM stations around the country. For information, visit http://www.greenstoneradio.com.
 
  Stories from alumnae authors
 
Curious how author Jane Yolen '60 has managed to write more than 250 children's books, or how author Ruth Ozeki '80 develops her characters? Check out the Alumnae Association's new series of audio interviews with alumnae authors, "An Author's Voice." Featured so far are interviews with Yolen; Ozeki, author of My Year of Meats; Robin Hathaway '56, who created the Dr. Fenimore mystery series; romance novelist Judith Arnold (Barbara Keiler '74); and Andrea Hairston '74, professor of literature and science fiction author. To start listening, go to http://alumnae.smith.edu and look under the "Audio Transcripts" section. Files are available for download in MP3 format.
 
  How would you reinvent the practice of law?
  That's one of the questions to be discussed during the Alumnae Association's on-campus event, "Smith Women and the Practice of Law," scheduled for March 29–30, 2007. The event, which is open to any alumna involved or interested in the practice of law, will feature alumnae lawyers, law professionals, and Smith faculty. Discussion topics include work/life balance, career paths, ethics, and issues related to diversity and discrimination in the profession. For information, contact Betsy Baird, associate director for alumnae education, at 800-526-2023, ext. 4; bbaird@email.smith.edu. Or visit the Alumnae Association's Web site, http://alumnae.smith.edu/education/women_in_law.php.
 
  Class discussions
  Smith's Association of Class Activists, a student group, is looking for alumnae who were first-generation or low-income students while at Smith. Cara Sharpes AC, a member of the group, said the idea is to create a sense of community and develop mentoring relationships among students and alumnae with similar backgrounds. "We would encourage any alumna who is interested in class issues to become involved," Sharpes said. The association began as a support group for low-income and first-generation students, but, Sharpes said, it quickly grew into an activist organization committed to discussing issues related to class at Smith. For information or to become involved, contact the association at saca@smith.edu.
 
  Smith in the News: Selected Media Coverage of the College
 

JOURNAL OF BLACKS IN HIGHER EDUCATION, Autumn 2006
Progress of black student enrollments at nation's highest ranked colleges and universities
The journal's annual report on black student enrollment at the nation's top colleges and universities ranked Smith among the top ten liberal arts colleges in the nation for first-year enrollments of African Americans.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, December 2006
The 100 most influential Americans of all time
A group of ten historians gathered by Atlantic Monthly ranked Betty Goldstein Friedan '42 among 100 of the most influential Americans of all time. In addition, they rated Gloria Steinem '56, among the most influential living Americans, and Sylvia Plath '55 among the top five American poets.

THE NEW YORKER, Oct. 30, 2006
Millions for millions
Entrepreneurs such as Janet McKinley '76 are providing loans to the world's poor and witnessing success as the recipients start businesses. "There was a woman who started out with a mud hut," McKinley recalled. "When we came back, she had a three-room house with a cement floor, and the pigs were in the hut she had stayed in before."

For regular Smith news updates, visit the college's Web site: www.smith.edu.

 
  *************AASC Programs and Services ***************

Plan a Vacation with Smith Travel

Spaces are still available on these exciting spring trips:
  • LONDON THEATRE, March 25–April 1, 2007
    Don't miss this opportunity to see Sir Ian McKellen playing King Lear during this amazing trip that's been custom-designed for theatre lovers. Ellen Kaplan, Smith professor of theatre, will share her wide-ranging experience in acting and directing, and Rodney West, of London Arts Discovery, will bring his wit, humor, and tour-directing skills to all aspects of this trip. Varney Porter Truscott '51, who went on last year's theatre trip, said, "The London Theatre trip was absolutely marvelous: superbly organized, well-paced, and intellectually stimulating." Family and friends of Smith alumnae are welcome on this trip. 
  • GUATEMALA, HOLY WEEK, CULTURAL TRADITIONS, AND THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE MAYA, March 31–April 9, 2007
    Celebrate Easter and the arrival of spring by spending Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala, the city that hosts the largest Easter celebrations in the western hemisphere. Karl Donfried, Smith professor emeritus of religion, will join you on this thrilling ten-day journey to explore the culture and sights of Guatemala, including the finest Mayan ruins and some of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in all of Central America. 
  • BHUTAN: INSIDE THE DRAGON KINGDOM, April 28–May 12, 2007
    Join Andy Rotman, assistant professor of religion and Ph.D. in South Asian languages and civilizations, as you travel to Bhutan, the last of the intact Buddhist Himalayan kingdoms. You will be mesmerized by this land of peace, prosperity, and spiritual richness. Explore the main sights in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, and Jakar, and attend a private dance performance amid swirling incense, streaming costumes, and magical masks.

For full itineraries and prices on the above trips, contact Smith Travel at 800-225-2029 or e-mail alumtrav@smith.edu. For a full listing of trips and slideshows of past trips, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu/travel.

A book club for alumnae
Alumnae share a love of reading and talking about good books. To celebrate this favorite pastime during its 125th anniversary year, the Alumnae Association has developed a unique, worldwide book club for alumnae. Here's how it works: Smith clubs and Smith book clubs are invited to select a book from an online list and then schedule the appropriate faculty member to lead a discussion exclusively for club members. If you don't belong to a club, faculty will be hosting online discussions throughout the year. To select a book and find out more about the reading program, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu and look for the "Read With Us" link.

Benefits for Smith alumnae
Just because you've graduated from Smith doesn't mean you're forgotten. The Alumnae Association offers a variety of services to make your post-Smith life a little easier. Alumnae are eligible for various insurance options, including medical, life, and liability insurances, as well as a credit card that benefits Alumnae Association programs. For information on all Alumnae Association benefits and services, visit http://alumnae.smith.edu and click on a menu item under "Benefit."

Keep in touch
Wondering whatever happened to that Smith housemate who used to keep you company while you studied all night for a midterm? The Alumnae Association's Online Directory makes it easy for you to catch up with your Smith friends. You can search by name, location, profession, and even Smith house. Just visit the Alumnae Association's Web page at http://alumnae.smith.edu, and log in under "Alumnae Directory and E-mail." While you're there, be sure to update your personal information. The directory is most effective when the information is kept up to date. To ensure that your information is correct, log into your alumnae directory account at https://smith.alumnae.net/login.asp and then click on "Personal Information" at the top of the screen.

Life insurance
Looking for a dependable life, liability, or temporary health insurance? The Alumnae Association's insurance program offers reasonable and critical protection for alumnae. Details are available at http://alumnae.smith.edu (click on the "Insurance Benefits" link under "Benefit"). Or for more information, call the AASC's broker, Meyer and Associates, at 800-635-7801. Identify yourself as a Smith alumna.

The Alumnae Association of Smith College promotes association programs and services only.

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For a compendium of the latest news about Smith, press releases, calendar of events, stories, and media coverage, visit Smith College News and Events Web site at http://www.smith.edu/news/
Other useful links:
Smith College Home: www.smith.edu
Alumnae Association of Smith College: http://alumnae.smith.edu
Smith Alumnae Quarterly: www.saqonline.smith.edu
Shaping the Future of Smith: http://www.smith.edu/future/shaping/
Supporting Smith: www.smith.edu/future