Women for the World

October 15, 2012

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Saturday evening, I joined Betty Eveillard ’69, chair of the board of trustees, in announcing a major new fundraising campaign that will make Smith the destination college for women in the 21st century.

The Women's Global Leadership Celebration—of which Saturday's festivities were a part—was one of the finest events I have witnessed at Smith. I want to extend my deep admiration and thanks to college staff members—in particular, those in dining services and facilities management, as well as the campaign, events management and communications offices—for your remarkable hospitality. Our guests, who included hundreds of alumnae leaders, trustees and volunteers, were truly inspired. I have never been more proud of Smith College.

Our Women for the World campaign sets an ambitious goal of $450 million to match an expansive vision. We are reaching high because the need for more women leaders in the world is great, and Smith, with its long history and exceptional resources, can fill that demand.

Let me tell you what the campaign will accomplish.

• Increasing funds available for scholarships and financial aid (our highest priority) will ease the financial burden on families and make Smith more accessible to young women around the world, regardless of their means, creating a stronger, more diverse campus.
• Greater resources will make it possible for each student to work, study and live in communities different from her own, answering the demand from students that they be globally educated.
• Encouraging curricular innovations, unique partnerships and programs, and new faculty-student research opportunities will further Smith's pre-eminent reputation for teaching and scholarship and for producing women leaders able to offer valuable solutions to the world's challenges.

Women for the World implies a movement, a collective effort to extend a hand to help young women everywhere receive an education that matches their great ambitions. That movement surged this weekend, with your help. I look forward to celebrating with you at milestone moments, as we come together to reach our goal.

Sincerely,

Carol T. Christ