The Lasting Pride of Seeing Jill Ker Conway Become President

Smith’s centennial opening convocation in 1975 was a most unusual and amazing event. The many audio recordings that were broadcast around the quad had everyone spellbound with oohs and ahhs. The genuine pride each Smithie felt when President Jill Ker Conway took the podium was equally thrilling. Our first woman president took 100 years (beyond Elizabeth Cutter Morrow’s acting presidency) and it was a true milestone. 

Beyond that, the option to take centennial courses was great. My favorite was a semester studying from the Smith College Archives and Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History with archivist Mary Alice Murdoch. Wish I kept those materials!

This is just one of the many love stories we've received in conjunction with Smith's 150th. Submit your own using our love story submission form.