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.

Little Love Stories

The Day JFK Was Shot

Sally Beck Baker ’66 and others were comforted by the Rev. Richard Unsworth on Nov. 22, 1963.

  • Little Love Stories
  • November 12, 2025
Little Love Stories

The Building Blocks to Help Others

Beth Choi, M.S.S. ’60, valued the School for Social Work’s emphasis on action over theory.

  • Little Love Stories
  • November 10, 2025

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.

Elim Chan ’09

Renowned conductor Elim Chan ’09 was the first female to win the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, enabling her to spend the 2015–16 season as assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, where she worked closely with Valery Gergiev before becoming a Dudamel Fellow at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Chan has since served as principal guest conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra from 2018–2023 and principal conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra from 2019–24, while maintaining a demanding schedule of guest conductor appearances with top orchestras around the world. Recent engagements include collaborations with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Staatskapelle Berlin, Staatskapelle Dresden, and the Orchestre de Paris. Chan is also working with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León in a three-year collaboration (2023–26) focusing on the ballets of Stravinsky.

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.