On the night of Tuesday, Nov. 5, Smith students gathered to watch election results at viewing parties across campus, including one hosted by the government department. Many students expressed heartbreak after the results, but remained resolved to support one another and advocate for causes threatened by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
“I arrived at the watch party early, and everyone was excited, making predictions. As the night went on, hopes started going down. My friend just burst into tears and had to leave,” said Maya Antoni ’28. “I come from North Carolina. After I saw it turn red, I was so disappointed.”
“I remember waking up the morning after it happened and seeing people milling about. The posture of all the students was different, and there was this aura of defeat. It hit us like a train,” Antoni added. “I felt like the world had just stopped.”
Building community post-election is a focus of organizations and academic departments across campus, including the Smith Department for the Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality (SWGS).
In anticipation of the election’s impact on the Smith community, the SWGS Department planned a post-election event titled “What’s Next? 2024 Election Debriefing and Planning for Our Future.” Held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8, this open discussion created a space for students to process their reactions with SWGS faculty, build solidarity and plan for action.
“My biggest takeaway from the [SWGS] event was the importance of being in community with other Smithies during this time,” said Sophie Nunziati ’27.
At the SWGS forum, dozens of Smithies expressed deep concern over Republican policies that could threaten reproductive healthcare and civil rights. Some voiced fear over Trump’s anti-transgender and anti-immigrant stances, worried about the immediate impact this could have on them and their loved ones. Students also shared concerns over the long-term, broader implications of a right-wing administration. The Republican Party also now holds a majority in the U.S. Senate.
“I think that we need to acknowledge issues that will have a potentially irreversible impact such as climate change and Supreme Court justices,” said Ari Walker ’27 at the SWGS discussion.
Throughout the event, attendees discussed the importance of taking action within and beyond Smith. Carrie Baker, chair of American studies and professor of SWGS, encouraged students to consider the value of political action at the local and state level.
Emphasizing the importance of local activism, students mentioned efforts to support ongoing unionization efforts and fair contract negotiations for Smith’s dining staff. Many also underscored the value of student-led clubs and organizations, including the Smith chapter of the Sunrise Movement, which advocates for political action on climate change.
On Friday, Nov. 8, Smith Sunrise hosted a “Walkout Against Trump” in solidarity with student Sunrise Hubs across the country, including Sunrise UMass Amherst. Students marched from the Campus Center to Northampton City Hall, carrying signs that read “six years left to stop the climate crisis.”
“It is now more important than ever to take action and voice our condemnation of the reelection of an individual who does not intend on protecting our rights,” said Sunrise organizer Emma Coopersmith ’28. “Collective action will make an impact.”
