Celebrating Smith’s 150th

In September of 1875, Smith College opened its doors to 14 students and six faculty members. Ever since then, we’ve been pushing the world forward in profound ways. Smith—and Smithies—have been a force for change, transforming our society, our history, and the lives and leadership of women. Smith’s impact on the greater good has been undeniable.

Read President Sarah’s letter to the community launching our sesquicentennial. 

Throughout 2025, we’ll celebrate Smith as a college of and for the world. Check back here often for new content, event listings, and timeline updates.

Give to Financial Aid for Smith’s 150th

Financial aid is helping Smith sustain its founding commitment to educational access. Current students call these grants “life changing,” “transformative,” and a sign that they belong at Smith. Give before the end of the year to support these determined Smithies!

Donate Now

A Look Back at 150 Years

 

Smith’s 150th anniversary celebrates the bold ideas, hard work, and vibrant community that have shaped our history—and your support will power the next 150 years. Join us and make your gift today!

150 Years, 150 Stories

Smith College has an inspiring and complex story. Over the course of the year, we will collect 150 (or more!) stories of the people, places, ideas, and initiatives—some new, some taken from our archives—that provide a rich, nuanced portrait of Smith’s place in the world, its influence on culture, and the powerful ways it has evolved and responded to the big issues of the day. Check back here for regular updates, and feel free to share your own personal stories of how Smith shaped you.

150th Anniversary

All the Smith News Fit to Print

Smith’s first student newspaper was published in 1911. Read about the periodical’s evolution.

  • 150th Anniversary
  • March 21, 2025
The Smith College student newspaper in 1940
150th Anniversary

The Art of Lifting Luggage

Life Magazine calls a “luggage lifting” class at Smith in the 50s one of the strangest courses ever.

  • 150th Anniversary
  • March 21, 2025
Smith students practicing their luggage lifting skills on a train in the 1950s.

Write a little love story to Smith

To help us celebrate the college’s 150th anniversary, send us a love story to Smith. It can be about a favorite place on campus, an influential professor or staff member, an enduring memory or friendship—something that captures the essence of what makes Smith special. We’ll post responses to this page and possibly use some of the stories in an upcoming issue of the Smith Quarterly.

Submit Your Story

Lessons in History

Events throughout our sesquicentennial year offer unique looks into Smith’s long history. Dive into a couple that take you all the way back to the beginning.

150 Years of Smith College & Northampton

Smith President Sarah Willie-LeBreton and Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra ’96 hosted “150 years later—Smith + Northampton: A History of the College’s Founding” on Saturday, March 8—International Women’s Day and the college’s first Founder’s Day.

Laurie Sanders, Historic Northampton’s co-director and Smith College alumna ’88, took a closer look at the important connections between Northampton history and Smith College’s founding. Watch the recording.

Celebrating 150 Years of Student Life

On display on the ground floor of Neilson Library throughout 2025, this exhibit offers a glimpse into the social, academic, and athletic lives of Smithies over the last 150 years. Check out an astronomy class from the 1800s, a protest in 1956, a dance rehearsal from 1990, and more in this exhibit curated from the Smith College Archives.

Learn more about the display.

A group of Smithies walking away from the Grécourt Gates, smiling

1968 September
Washington, D.C.-area Smith students in front of the Grécourt Gates.
Grounds subject files, CA-MS-00137, box 264.1, folder 23

Game Changer

Smith has always been a place for “Game Changers”—people who challenge the status quo and make a real difference in the world. Their stories show how one person can spark big change.

Explore more profiles of Smith’s Game Changers.

Rochelle (Shelly) Braff Lazarus ’69

The former worldwide CEO and chair of renowned ad agency Ogilvy (formerly Ogilvy & Mather), marketing legend Rochelle (Shelly) Braff Lazarus ’69 has been described as one of the most powerful executives in advertising. After graduating from Smith, she earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1970—one of four women in her class of 300. Lazarus was a big proponent of brand building, which she successfully accomplished with numerous clients including IBM, Ford, American Express, and Unilever. Her numerous accolades include being the first woman to receive Columbia Business School’s Distinguished Leader in Business Award and the Advertising Educational Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has often appeared on Fortune magazine’s annual list of “America’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business.” Her Smith connections run deep. The Lazarus Center for Career Development is named in her honor. She is also a Smith Medalist and former chair of the Smith College Board of Trustees.

Rochelle "Shelly" Lazarus

Celebrate in Style

In honor of our sesquicentennial, we’ve put together a collection of gear ranging from mugs to T-shirts to notebooks. Let everyone know you’re proud to celebrate 150 years of Smithie magic.

Shop the 150th Collection

Have a story, content idea, or addition to the timeline? Email smith150@smith.edu.