The Philadelphia Smith Club is delighted to invite you to our first ever virtual Annual Meeting! In addition to electing a new board and hearing what the club has been up to, Rally Day Medalist and Philadelphia resident Dr. Jensen author of “The Teenage Brain” will be speaking. Please RSVP to phillysmithclub@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
The Teenage Brain
Rally Day Medalist Dr. Frances E. Jensen ’78 is the Professor and Chair of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She is the first woman to lead University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Neurology, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Her research focuses on how epilepsy affects brain development, aging and cognition; and she has authored more than 150 manuscripts. As director of translational neuroscience, she has mentored numerous trainees. Beyond her academic role, she is the author, with Smith College Medalist Amy Ellis Nutt ’77, of the New York Times bestseller “The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults,” and she lectures widely about the teen brain at science museums, through TEDMED and in other venues.
Consider joining the board!
This is the time of year when we elect new board members! The board meets monthly to plan events, coordinate book awards, distribute care packages and generally keep the club running. In an effort to put together a board that is representative of the alumni network, we’d especially like to encourage recent grads, older alums, and alums of color to join. We welcome candidates with any level of experience – it’s a great first board to be on (it’s my first one). Join the board to get more involved and shape the future of the Philly Smith Club!
We are hoping to fill the following roles:
- Communications – manage social media accounts, update website, communicate with the Alumnae Office
- High School Recruiting – working with long-time board member Carolyn, attend college fairs and help get more Philly-area students to apply to Smith.
- Board Member at Large – attend most board meetings, participate in and host events. We would like to get 3 additional members to fill this role.
If you wish to nominate yourself or if you want to learn more about the board, please email Julia at phillysmithclub@gmail.com.
We are excited to welcome our Fall Faculty Speaker: Andrea Hairston, Professor of Theatre, Professor of Africana Studies and class of ’74 to Philadelphia on October 5th at 2pm. Professor Hairston is the artistic director of Chrysalis Theatre and has created original productions with music, dance, and masks for over thirty-five years. In addition to writing plays, Professor Hairston has spoken and written extensively about Octavia Butler, theater and film, and pop culture.
Missing Smith traditions? Come join us on the 18th of August for an afternoon tea with your fellow Philadelphia Smithies! Bring your favorite tea or snack, and we will share about our week (or month or year!). There will also be games! Accessible by bus and train, and lots of on street parking. Friendly old dog on site!
The Smith College Club of Philadelphia 