National Women's Hall of Fame To Honor
Smith College's Founder at Oct. 6 ­ 7 Events

In 1875, Sophia Smith made history when the women's college she endowed opened its doors. Now, 125 years later, the National Women's Hall of Fame is honoring her contributions to women's education. Smith is one of the 19 distinguished American women who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the two-day 2000 Honors Weekend, October 6-7.

The National Women's Hall of Fame, founded in 1969, is the oldest national institution dedicated to recognizing and honoring in perpetuity the significant achievements of individual American women. The Hall of Fame is located in Seneca Falls, N.Y., the site of the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848. As of October, 176 women will have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

All honorees were selected by a national panel of judges for their contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, philanthropy and science. Inductees who will be in attendance at the event include: Janet Reno, the first female attorney general of the United States; Faye Glenn Abdellah, a noted nurse researcher in the field of coronary care; Bishop Leontine Kelly, the first African-American female elected bishop in the United States; and Retired Major General Jeanne Holm USAF, the first woman in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces to achieve the rank of Major General.

Other inductees being honored posthumously include: Mary Baret Dyer, hanged in 1660 for defying Puritan church authorities in the name of religious freedom; Frances Willard, founder of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union; Mary Walker, M.D., the Civil War field surgeon who was the first woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor; and Annie Dodge Wauneka, the first woman elected to the Navajo Tribal Council.

During the Honors Weekend, Smith College President Ruth J. Simmons will host a reception for Smith College alumnae and their guests in Seneca Falls in honor of Sophia Smith's induction.

For biographies of all the inductees, visit the National Women's Hall of Fame site, www.greatwomen.org.

September 25, 2000