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Class of '74, 25 Years Later When Boston Globe readers opened their papers on Sunday, May 16, they learned two historic things on page one: Fenway Park was to be renovated, and the Smith class of '74 was "back and proud." College reunions don't usually make front-page headlines, but an unprecedented gathering of the African-American women of '74-the Smith class with the largest African-American enrollment ever-proved to be an exception. Galvanized by a desire to re-create for black students today the opportunities they enjoyed a quarter century ago, 21 of the 53 African-American women who entered the college in 1970 returned after 25 years, determined to again become a visible presence in the life of Smith. On the surface, their reunion schedule looked like any other--luncheons, receptions, social hours, a worship service--but underlying it was an ambitious agenda for change at their alma mater. As one reunioner put it, "It's time for us to take advantage of where we are in our lives today to influence Smith to be the kind of institution where all women can succeed." Recognizing that extensive scholarship support played a large role in their enrollment at Smith, the African-American alumnae from '74 took a pragmatic approach. In just five months, led by classmates Linda Smith Charles and JoAnne Lyons Wooten, they raised more than $37,000 in scholarship support for African-American students at Smith. More than 60 percent of their African-American classmates contributed, a rate significantly higher than is typical of reunion gifts. The group also received gifts from 16 donors from other classes. The funds were presented to President Simmons May 15 at a luncheon for African-American alumnae and graduating African-American seniors and their parents, an event that organizers hope will become a tradition. The luncheon was also a moment to recognize the bonds of common experience linking Smith's African-American alumnae throughout the generations. "It wasn't always easy," recalled attorney Amy Robertson Goldson '74. "The college really recruited us-and then was surprised when we arrived." Other alums noted the difficulty of facing many classmates' first encounters with racial and cultural difference-an experience that left many of them ambivalent about their time at Smith. "When we graduated, we didn't appreciate what we had," Goldson recounted to the luncheon audience. "It has taken the years and the distance to put it in perspective." On behalf of her class, Goldson presented the graduating seniors with silver letter openers inscribed "Smith College African American Sisters 1974­1999." "Let this serve as a reminder," she told them, "that you can always call upon your sisters from the class of '74." Throughout the weekend, conversations among the African-American alums returned often to the inspiration provided by President Simmons, described by surgeon Benita Walton '74 as "the first college president I feel I can call by first name." Simmons, in turn, commended the alumnae for reaching back and providing support to the younger students. "In our community," she explained, "this is a dire need." To the soon-to-be graduated African-American seniors, Simmons had just one admonition: "Promise me you won't wait 25 years to reconnect."-LF

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NewsSmith is published by the Smith College Office of College Relations for alumnae, staff, students and friends.
Copyright © 1998, Smith College. Portions of this publication may be reproduced with the permission of the Office
of College Relations, Garrison Hall, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts 01063. Last update: 10/18/99.

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