On Feb. 18, Smith College honored four alumnae with Smith College Medals; two faculty members with Faculty Teaching Awards (Will Williams, Associate Professor of Physics, and Samuel Ng, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies); and two staff with the Wyandt Gavel Awards (Whitney Hadley, Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs, and Carol Kelly, Campus Center Catering Cook Assistant).
Like last year, Rally Day 2021 was held virtually through FaceBook live. It occurred without a hitch, with transitions from speaker to speaker flowing almost as naturally as if it were on stage. Although all students on campus as well as staff watched remotely, there was still a sense of excitement and anticipation throughout campus. Pods of close friends donned their festive hats and gowns, and took pictures, replacing the mass reunion at John M. Greene Hall and the Campus Center. A virtual Rally Day could have had the potential to isolate those watching but, in the true Smith spirit, it made it even more accessible to those who had never attended a Rally Day and to those who could not be present on campus this year.
Evolving from a series of celebrations for George Washington’s birthday in the 1800s, Rally Day now commemorates alumnae who exemplify “the true purpose of a liberal arts education.” This year’s medalists are infectious disease specialist Anne Angen Gershon ’60, business leader Mitsuru Claire Chino ’88, family planning and reproductive health leader Clare Coleman ’92, and writer, curator, and activist Kimberly Drew ’12.
Described as a both a lifesaver and “barrier breaker,” Anne Angen Gershon knew since childhood that she wanted to be a doctor. Despite the sexism of her time, Gershon majored in pre-med at Smith and earned her medical degree from Cornell University. She persisted throughout her academic and professional careers to become the Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Through her tireless work, Gershon developed vaccines against the chickenpox and shingles virus, authored more than 350 publications, edited 14 books, and collaborated on numerous scientific committees. In her acceptance speech, Gershon credited the Smith community for supporting her passion for science and for fostering her interest in vaccines, saying, “They convinced me and others that we could succeed in science and medicine.”
Mitsuru Claire Chino is the first female executive officer of a major Japanese trading company, ITOCHU International Inc. Earning her J.D. from Cornell Law School, Chino began her career as a partner at an international law firm. In 2000, Chino joined ITOCHU where she has pioneered a women’s diversity program within the company. Widely honored for her work, Chino is “the epitome of poise, practice-makes-perfect and power.” Her dedication to the Smith community even after graduating is yet another outstanding commendation. From helping to revive a Smith Asian alum club, to travelling across the globe to attend a Smith event, and to participating in “The Smith Network at Work” alumnae event, Chino never fails to show up for her Smith community.
Growing to prominence as a fighter for high quality, accessible family planning and sexual health care, Clare Coleman is yet another excellent example of Smith’s values of equity, inclusivity, and critical thought. Starting her twelfth year a the President and CEO of National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, Coleman has used her platform and experience on the Hill to push for legislation and funding for effective public health care systems, protect family planning access, and even go as far as sue the federal government vis-a-vis title X. The NFPRHA has grown exponentially under her leadership, allowing Coleman’s work to reach far and wide across the United States.
Described by President McCartney as “sitting comfortably at the intersection of art and activism,” Kimberly Drew is a trailblazer in creating spaces of accessibility and equity, of visibility and representation of the Black community. A writer, curator, and activist, Drew found her passion for art and social media after interning with Thelma Golden at The Studio Museum. Her exploration of Black representation (or lack thereof) in museums has affirmed the work and “creative histories” of Black artists. Indeed, calling on Smith to reconsider “how we tell the story of Rally Day and its historic ties to the celebration of a former slave owner,” Drew constantly demands a critical recontextualisation of histories, spaces, and persons. As she says, “today we celebrate, and tomorrow we get back to making history.”
In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of Smith alumnae and the dedication of faculty and staff, Rally Day is also the first day that graduating seniors wear their caps and gowns for the first time in public. As part of the tradition, most caps are replaced by festive and expressive hats which could still be seen on various seniors around campus despite the virtual celebration. President McCartney concluded Rally Day by announcing the three honorary medalists: founder and President of Posse Foundation Deborah Bial; affordable housing activist and former CEO of Valley Community Development, Joanne Campbell; and Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award-winner and National Medal of Arts recipient, Audra McDonald. Finally, the 2021 Commencement Speaker is award-winning poet and author Joy Harjo, a Guggenheim Fellow, member of the Muscogee nation, and 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States of America.
