Embedded Files
Hello to you all!
It’s hard to believe it’s April already! I wanted to give a few updates on Pride SMC, mention a few opportunities, and muse a bit on our future together as an Alum group.
In addition to our tradition of providing snacks to students for finals, available in The LGBTQ+ Center, this past year, Pride SMC helped sponsor a Queer Movie Night for students on campus! We covered the costs for showing But I’m a Cheerleader, a classic enjoyed by all who attended. It was wonderful to work with the Saint Mary’s Administration, students on campus, and SAGE to get this organized, and we hope to be able to sponsor similar events in the future.
The biggest news that’s come out in the past year is the hiring of Eli Williams, PhD, as Assistant Director of The LGBTQ+ Center. Pride SMC was proud to welcome her to her new role and provide a platform (through our first ever sponsored webinar!) for Eli to give an overview of her current work and future vision forThe LGBTQ+ Center and Saint Mary’s life.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t give a huge shout out to The LGBTQ+ Center and the Gender and Women’s Studies Department. They worked hard, collaborating with various alums and local sources to present a panel for LGBTQ+ History Month. Five members of Pride SMC, including VP Jacq, contributed stories of what it was like for LGBTQ+ students on campus during their student years.
Our Reunion Panel was also a bit different last year, as we used it as an opportunity to connect attending Alum with The LGBTQ+ Center. The panels are always well attended, and it’s great to see such a variety of people who support our stories. Having an after party in The LGBTQ+ Center allowed everyone to truly see the good work The LGBTQ+ Center is doing on campus and connect with staff and volunteers.
This year, we’re continuing this format and, if you haven’t had a chance to connect with Eli, you’ll have your chance at our yearly Reunion Panel, as Eli has confirmed she will attend as a special guest panelist. I hope to see you there!
If you’re interested in being a member of the panel, please reach out to Pride SMC at PrideSMCAlumGroup@gmail.com.
Finally, I’d like to share a few thoughts as the current president of Pride SMC. As most of you know, we grew out of a longstanding grassroots movement of Saint Mary’s alum who all wanted LQBTQIA+ students and alums to have a sense of community. We became “official” as an Affinity Group (the first one!), but we’ve always been here, in one form or another.
As I look to the future, I and my fellow Pride SMC officers want to ensure that this collection of alums, supporters, and students continues to create a sense of community for everyone, advocate for students on campus, and provide knowledge and pride for all LGBTQIA+ students, alum, allies, and their families.
Our hope over the next few years is to expand general awareness of our organization, therefore increasing membership, which would allow us to more consistently and effectively establish and maintain a network between students, staff, alum, and community members.
For a more detailed look at our outlook, please visit here.
With this, I hope you’ll consider joining us on our journey. If you feel you could provide some support to the work we do, from being a board member to simply providing your expertise or knowledge, please consider reaching out to us using the form here.
If you know of someone who would be perfect for the group, feel free to forward this email or connect them with us.
Whatever role you ultimately decide is best for you, please know that each member of Pride SMC is valuable simply because you see the importance of creating a safe, healing, and supportive culture for queer students, alum, and allies – giving visibility and a voice to the present and past Queer Community at Saint Mary’s College.
Queer students at Saint Mary’s College have always been and will always be here. Ensuring that a support network is available, and able, to voice the needs of current and future students is critical to maintaining that sense of belonging and community so many of us have worked decades to create.
Thank you for your time, your commitment, your support, and your love. I hope your spring continues to blossom into wonderful opportunities and that you remember that we’re all here for each other.
If you have any questions, ideas, or just need to chat, please feel free to reach out to us at PrideSMCAlumGroup@gmail.com at any time.
Thank you for all that you do and thank you for always being you!
Sincerely,
Adrienne Whisman
President, Pride SMC
(she/they)
Class of 2017
History & Humanistic Studies
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse