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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.

A Look Back at 150 Years

 
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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.

150th Anniversary

All the Smith News Fit to Print

Smith’s first student newspaper was published in 1911. Read about the periodical’s evolution.

  • 150th Anniversary
  • March 21, 2025
The Smith College student newspaper in 1940

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.

Laura D’Andrea Tyson ’69

Under President Bill Clinton, economics and public policy scholar Laura D'Andrea Tyson ’69 served as cabinet member (1993–1996), chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (1993–1995), and director of the White House National Economic Council (1995–1996)—the first woman to serve in these positions. She later became a member of President Barack Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board. Tyson was the first female named dean of London Business School (1998–2001) and then interim dean at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business (2002–2006), where she is currently a distinguished professor of the Graduate School at Berkeley-Haas. Tyson has done considerable policy research on the links between women’s rights and national economic performance and is a co-author of the World Economic Forum Annual Global Gender Gap Report, which ranks each nation on economic, political, education, and health gender gaps.

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

A Year of Celebration

We’ll be celebrating all year long. Check out some of the highlights of the sesquicentennial year. View the full events calendar.

Rally Day

February 20

Announcement of the commencement honorands

Bulb Show Opens

March 1

Celebrating the 130th anniversary of the Smith College Botanic Garden

Come Home to Smith Day

November 1

Have a story, content idea, or addition to the timeline? Email smith150@smith.edu.