PAST Events
Eat, Write, Talk: A Getaway for Juniors and Seniors
January 15 - 18, 2012
Smith College and the Trinity Conference Center in West Cornwall, CT
In this selective January-term course, the Women's Narratives Project takes juniors and seniors on a grant-funded retreat to talk and write about themes inherent in making life decisions, including perfectionism, risk-taking, tolerating failure and family narratives of success. The workshop is led by Dean of the College Maureen A. Mahoney and Dean of Religious Life Jennifer Walters.
Back row (from left to right): Leah (Lily) Jacobs '12, Jessica Bacal, Jenna Zukswert' 13, Alexandra Frizzell '12, Eileen Wangai '12, Chinelle Andrew '12,
Monika Valecic '12,
Ilana Teitelman '12, Emma Krautheim '12,
Jacquelyn Runholt '12,
Marie Schenk '12. Middle row (from left to right):
Liliana (Lily) Farrell '13, Kristen Rosa '12,
Adina Bianchi '12, Dylan Farrell '12, Megan Yee '12,
Nhung Bui '12, Alison Yong '13. Front row (from left to right): Ariella Frishberg '12, Kendra Danowski '12, Neelma Qureshi '12, Maureen Mahoney, Ally Einbinder, and Barbara Dakota AC.
Beyond the Smith Bubble:
True Stories About Life After Smith
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Women's Narratives Project hosted a tea and discussion with four recent alumnae who talked about how their lives have taken shape in the few years since graduating from Smith. Panelists were Cornelia Treptow '10, Maud Martei '10, Allyson Einbinder '10, and Danielle Santos '11. The talk was part of the 2012 workshop, "Eat, Write, Talk: A Getaway for Juniors and Seniors."
Beyond the Smith Bubble:
True Stories of Life After Smith
October 27, 2011
The Women's Narratives Project hosted a tea and discussion with four recent alumnae who talked about how their lives have taken shape in the few years since graduating from Smith. Panelists included Ka'Neda Ellision '06, Lauren Marcous '08, Lauren Kaelin '10, and Luisa Tsang '10.
Making Time to Write: A mini-writing retreat with local author Christian McEwen
September 24, 2011
Poetry Center, Smith College Wright Hall
On Saturday, September 24, local author and "Finding Time to Write" orientation co-leader Christian McEwen led a mini-writing retreat for students in the Poetry Center. Christian McEwen is the author of World Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down.
Finding Time to Write: A Smith College Orientation Group for First Year Students
September 4 and 5, 2011
Jessica Bacal, director of the Smith College Center for Work & Life, and local author Christian McEwen led incoming first-years in a workshop that encouraged them to think about how to continue a personal writing practice at college. The group discussed finding balance and "down time" within a busy schedule, and explored ways to connect with other writers at Smith.
Eat, Write, Talk: A Getaway for Juniors and Seniors
January 16–19, 2011
In its selective January-term course, the Women's Narratives Project takes juniors and seniors on a grant-funded retreat to talk and write about themes inherent in making life decisions, including perfectionism, risk-taking, tolerating failure and family narratives of success. The workshop is led by Dean of the College Maureen A. Mahoney and Dean of Religious Life Jennifer Walters.
Resisting Convention: Narratives of Passion and Purpose
Thursday, November 4, 2010
In this panel discussion, Dar Williams, Lenelle Moise MFA '04 and Carolina A. Miranda '93 spoke about creating unconventional lives. The panel was co-sponsored by the Women's Narratives Project and Center for Work & Life.
Watch a full length video of the panel discussion on iTunesU
Watch the panel in five short clips on YouTube
Resisting Convention - Introduction
Resisting Convention - Carolina A. Miranda '93
Resisting Convention - Dar Williams
Resisting Convention - Lennele Moise MFA '04
"Thinking Creatively About Leadership" Family Weekend Panel
Saturday, October 23, 2010
This diverse panel of students talked about the connection between pursuing their passions and developing as leaders. Panelists included Cristina Santarosa '11, who is a mentor to peers in the chemistry lab; Phoebe Harris '11 and Grace Miceli '11, who created a Smith literary magazine called Swimming Lessons; and Dana Elliot '13 and Colby Singleton '11J, who help run Smith's successful "Bicycle Kitchen." Sponsored by the Women's Narrative Project and Center for Work & Life.
Eat, Write, Talk: A Getaway for Juniors and Seniors
January 17–20, 2010
Twenty juniors and seniors joined dean of the College Maureen A. Mahoney and dean of religious life Jennifer Walters for a grant-funded retreat at the beautiful Trinity Conference Center in West Cornwall, Conn. They talked and wrote about themes inherent in making life decisions, including perfectionism, risk-taking, tolerating failure and family narratives of success.
Idealism and Compromise in Politics and Life
November 5, 2009
Three Smith alumnae, all current or former members of the Obama administration, spoke about making a life in politics.
Smith Mothers and Daughters Talk About Getting a Life
October 24, 2009
A panel of Smith mothers and daughters reflected on navigating work, friendship and love.
J. Courtney Sullivan '03 read from her novel, Commencement
September 24, 2009
From chapter one: "[On] Orientation Day, Celia wept in the backseat of her father's Lincoln Town car all the way out to Smith. The family had to pull over in a Taco Bell parking lot so she could get herself together before meeting her housemates. By the time she arrived at the front door of Franklin King House, she was fixed with a big fake smile and half a tube of her sister's Maybelline concealer..."
Narratives of Life's Success
Friday, June 22, 2007
Maureen Mahoney, dean of the college, and Jennifer Walters, dean of religious life, led a workshop entitled "Narratives of Life's Success" as part of a spring alumnae program, Your Best Life: Women's Health and Well-Being.
A Question of Balance: Lifestyle and Health
Friday, June 22, 2007
Jennifer Walters, dean of religious life, led this lunchtime panel together with Barbara Brehm-Curtis, professor of exercise and sports studies, and Carolyn Jacobs.
Narratives Across Class: A Panel Discussion
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Our third annual panel discussion brought together the writer Adrian Nicole LeBlanc '86, the writer Lorene Cary, and the playwright and actor Anna Deavere Smith. They discussed how social class has figured in their lives and what compels them to create work that is, at least in part, about class.
In Smith's socio-economically diverse student body, students feel the impact of social and economic class differences as they negotiate friendships, career aspirations and work--yet class difference is a taboo subject among friends and classmates. During this panel, Dean Walters facilitated an open and complex discussion among three remarkable women.
Read Lorene Cary's talk on class (DOC)
Family Weekend Panel: Smith Mothers and Daughters Talk
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Three Smith daughters and their mothers participated in a panel discussion about work, friendship and love. The mothers and daughters were: Esther Mobley '11 and her mother Page Kelley '81; Ashley Brickhouse '11 and her mother, Mitchelin Brickhouse; and Bridget Reutener '01 and her mother, Mary Reutener '70. The panel was moderated by Jennifer Walters, dean of religious life.
Watch video of the panel discussion (part 1, 31 minutes)
Watch video of the panel discussion (part 2, 27 minutes)
Watch video of the panel discussion (part 3, 26 minutes)
Ambition and Friendship: Narratives of Conflict and Support
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Heather Abel, Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien '57, Nanon de Gaspé Beaubien-Mattrick, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon and Martha Southgate '82 discussed their experience of the connections and conflicts between ambition and friendship. Maureen A. Mahoney, dean of the college, introduced the panel and Jennifer L. Walters, dean of religious life, moderated. A reception followed.
Beyond Balance: Work & Family Reconsidered
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Suggesting "balance" as a life goal can produce anxiety because the truth is that most of us feel out of balance most of the time. We are often given advice to solve the "balance" conundrum by being clear about who we are and what we want. Achieving this clarity, however, is easier said than done. Deans Mahoney and Walters discussed the possibility that tolerance of imbalance and continued reflection about life goals may be a better approach than setting the unreachable goal of a perfectly balanced life.
Mothers and Daughters Talk About Getting a Life
Saturday, October 20, 2007
A panel of Smith mothers and daughters (pictured below) reflected on navigating work, friendship and love. The panel discussion was moderated Maureen Mahoney, dean of the college.
Read a transcription of "Mothers and Daughters Talk About Getting a Life." (DOC)
Creating a Life: Anticipated Paths and Unexpected Turns
Monday, October 23, 2006
Mary Catherine Bateson, Liz Phair, Betsy Stark and Rebecca Walker shared their own narratives of success at our inaugural event. The panel discussion was moderated by Jennifer Walters, dean of religious life, with opening remarks by Maureen Mahoney, dean of the college.