Four extraordinary alums will receive the Smith College Medal at Rally Day on February 23, in recognition of their professional achievements and outstanding service. This year’s medalists are public health leader Kathleen E. Toomey ’73; author, adventurer and higher education leader Victoria (Tori) Murden McClure ’85; social justice leader and grassroots organizer Vanessa Daniel ’00; and human rights advocate Shaharzad Akbar ’09.

Maya Durham ’23, a double major in art history and education and child study, is as passionate about social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion as she is driven to create more inclusive art opportunities for children of varying backgrounds and identities. In this interview, she talks about her recent summer internships, what she’s committed to and her plans for bringing art to kids.

Live Music in America: A History From Jenny Lind to Beyoncé by Steve Waksman, Smith's Elsie Irwin Sweeney Professor of Music and Professor of American Studies, examines the evolution of live music across time periods and genres, and how it has reflected societal attitudes, including around gender and race. “Segregation died hard,” Waksman says. “And it's still very much in place.”

In this Guardian interview, Pakistan’s climate change minister, Sherry Rehman ’85, talks about making wealthy polluting countries pay reparations to nations like hers who are suffering the consequences. “Global warming is the existential crisis facing the world and Pakistan is ground zero—yet we have contributed less than 1% to [greenhouse gas] emissions,” says Rehman.

Join members of the alumnae book club beginning October 14 as they read Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down America's Most Powerful Mobster, about Eunice Hunton Carter 1921. Bestselling author and Carter’s grandson Stephen L. Carter will give a virtual talk later this fall with his daughter, Leah Carter, who researched the book.

In a recent issue of The Massachusetts Review, Smith professor Len Berkman, Anne Hesseltine Hoyt Professor of Theatre, shares this entertaining tale, told in the form of a session with his psychiatrist—referred to only as “Doc.” Berkman talks about his wife, his favorite student, and what happens when the two finally meet, breaking occasionally from his story to speak directly to Doc: “You do take notes on what I say, right? I never see you taking notes.”

This New York Times article tells the story of how Luvana Chowdhury ’13 met, fell in love with and married Shafin Fattah—not using a dating app, but rather, through an old-fashioned setup by a mutual friend. “I realized that when I wasn’t speaking to him, I started missing him,” says Chowdhury of her feelings for Fattah.

Check out the latest exhibit at the Smith College Museum of Art! Running now through August 6, 2023, Brought to Life: Painted Wood Sculpture from Europe, 1300–1700 investigates the materials, techniques and reception of painted wood sculpture in Europe between the 13th and the 18th centuries. Now considered art, these sculptures, when they were first created, were considered interactive and multisensory objects of prayer and devotion.

Smith NewsTracker

Selected items from the news media featuring Smith College people and programs

New president seizes the moment, finds her ‘best life’ at Smith

Sen. Tammy Baldwin ’84 seeks to codify gay marriage

Prof. Carrie Baker: Rare disease reveals importance of abortion access

Smith College  |  Grécourt Gate  |  Make a Gift  |  Alumnae Association
Smith Alumnae Quarterly  |  Submit a Class Note

Smith College Notes from Paradise

You are receiving this email because you are affiliated with Smith College.

To unsubscribe from all emails or to update your preferences, visit the link below.

Update subscription preferences
View as webpage | Update your address

{{{Organization.Address}}}
{{Unsubscribe}}