Elizabeth Peters ’24

Other clubs, sports, activities: 
Page Turners, Wilson House Vice President, Orientation Leader

Describe your major for someone who has never heard of your field before. 
A group of anti-establishmentarians fighting against the Institution (and unseasoned food).

What drew you to the subject of your major? 
My first year I took two classes, one on ancient art in the Americas with Professor Dana Leibsohn and one called ”Native New England” with Professor Christen Mucher. These classes together taught me to reconsider everything I knew about history as a discipline, and who I wanted to be within that field. I learned so much about being an ethical scholar, something that is incredibly important, and when I say these classes changed my life, I mean it wholeheartedly.

Do you have a minor or concentration? How do they intersect with your major? 
In addition to LALS, I study within the history department, and concentrate on Islamic studies. My main area of focus between the two is the relationship between religion and colonization in the Muslim and Christian worlds as it pertains to The Ottoman Empire and the Andes. The two complement each other really well, and allow me to think of the ways in which histories are connected across time and location.

Drawing from your LALS work, is there a word, phrase, or specific work of literature that has struck you or that you wish more people were aware of? 
Through our work together, Professor Javier Puente has taught me bits and bobs of Quechua, a native language spoken across the Andes. My favorite one that he’s taught me is ”tupananchiskana,” which is a farewell of sorts, but doesn’t mean goodbye. Instead, it means “until we cross paths again” and “when are you coming back?” which I think is a beautiful way to end time spent with people you care about. If there is one word to define the LALS community, that would be it.

What's a particular place or specific in Latin America that you would visit if time and money were no object? 
I would say Cuzco, Peru. Cuzco was the political seat of the Inca Empire, and while the Empire is no longer, there exists an interesting balance, and blend, between the colonial and the Inca. Outside of Cuzco, there are many incredible natural fixtures such as Chaco Canyon and the Vinicunca, more commonly known today as the Rainbow Mountain. Additionally, I would love to hike Machu Picchu and see the sunrise over the ruins. The Andes are such a special place.

Did you ever have trouble deciding on a major? What, ultimately, helped you decide? 
My sophomore year I came to Professor Leibsohn with an idea for a thesis, but I was unsure of which department would be best suited to facilitate the kind of work I was interested in. I was interested in the Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies Certificate, but ultimately had an interest in pursuing fluency in Spanish. She proposed that LALS might be a good fit because I could focus on both Spanish and Indigenous histories, and take Five College NAIS classes as part of my overall education. I thought this was a great idea, and not only did I pursue a focus on Indigenous studies in Latin America, I have also taken many classes both on Smith campus and elsewhere focusing on Indigeneity in the Americas as a whole.

What’s your all-time (big or small) favorite Smith memory? 
My favorite memory from Smith has to be from Convocation 2021. It was pouring rain and all the space in the tent was gone, so there I was standing with my friend on Seelye Lawn getting absolutely drenched. We were freezing and miserable UNTIL one of the performing acappella groups started singing Dancing Queen by ABBA and my friend and I began to dance and sing along (as did everyone else). The isolation of Covid was hard on everyone, and we had been alone for so long that we had lost our sense of community. It felt like we were finally free and easy college kids again.

What's one of the favorite features of your Smith house? 
In Wilson we have a beautiful living room, but my favorite part would have to be the smaller living room tucked in the corner. Its the perfect place to read a book or watch a movie because its so cozy and the best place to run into your friends. I can’t tell you how many times I went to go get my laundry and ended up watching whatever movie had been put on, leaving my laundry completely forgotten about. My friends know that when I say “I’ll just stay for a minute” I end up staying for the rest of the conversation or movie. They know I really have no intention of leaving when I inevitably find a seat.

What’s your “Big Dream” for your future? 
I plan to pursue Federal Indian/Tribal Law and work with Indigenous groups to navigate the legal system in terms of land reclamation, or even buying it back. I have had the privilege of an excellent education, and I want to use it to empower others.

If you could tell an incoming first-year anything about Smith, what would it be? 
Don’t be afraid to use your voice, and follow what really inspires you. Give yourself the freedom to make decisions that are good for you but might not be what other people in your life want. They’ll come around, and you need to live with yourself.

What is your proudest accomplishment? 
I was abroad last semester in Spain, and had the opportunity to take many trips, some of them solo. My dream was to go to Istanbul because I’ve studied it within my history major, and as a result have become obsessed with the architecture and culture. Though I had been on other trips, it was always with a buddy, so this was my first big trip alone. I organized the transportation and put together an itinerary with the help of a friend who is from there. I had the most fabulous time, and left feeling confident in my ability to make good decisions and keep myself alive in an unfamiliar place. This trip was instrumental in empowering me to make another solo trip to Bolivia this summer.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
My grandmother was Sicilian, and my dad continues to make incredible marinara sauce and meatballs. I’m not too jazzed about spaghetti, but I love a crusty piece of sourdough garlic bread to eat with the meatballs and sauce. Pecorino Romano cheese is essential for topping.

What do you think has been the most “Smithie” thing you’ve done in life so far? 
I traded in my backpack for a tote bag (a New Yorker Magazine one at that).

What do you wish older alums knew about the class of 2024? 
Smithies can still hang.