I first visited the Smith College campus in 1983 or 84 as a camper in nearby Huntington, Massachusetts. If you broke your braces, you were taken out of camp to visit an orthodontist in Northampton. Not realizing at the time that life didn't get any better than summer camp, i "inadvertently" (whoops?) broke my braces and piled into a car with a counselor who was equally delighted to be off camp grounds for the day. She opted to take the scenic route. Suddenly we were driving by Paradise Pond, next to the greenhouse. This was my first view of Smith College - on the way to the orthodontist.
From that moment on, in my head, Smith was everything a college campus should look like. Brick, Ivy, Quads, Pond. Idyllic. At the time, I didn't even understand a single sex education or what Smith really meant.
When it came to apply, Smith was on my list. But so were large co-ed universities. East Coast, West Coast, I explored them all. But my heart kept coming back to Smith. The reputation, the education, the amazing women I met each time I visited, the campus, the generous financial aid package... Truth be told, my father desperately wanted me to go to a SUNY school where the tuition would be a quarter of Smith. I was coaxed with the offer of a convertible. But instead, I chose washing dishes and a Smith education. I have never regretted my decision - not once. (And now, as my father continues to meet the incredible alumna I surround myself with, neither does he...)
As a freshman in Laura Scales House (where I would remain for all four years) I instantly knew I was home. I quickly developed friendships that would last a lifetime. I met the women to whose children I would be named godmother 20 years later. I experienced Art History, Ethics, Philosophy, French, Hebrew, History, English, Government and more - in ways that would change me forever. In my tenure at Smith, I held student government positions. I was captain of the parliamentary debate team. I took riding lessons. I developed a lifelong love of tea and lemon bars. I went to Boston for Head of the Charles. I took my first trip to Europe. I learned the power of coffee. I loved and I lost.
As an adult, Smith remains as much a part of me as my gender, my professional affiliations, my mixed religious upbringing or anything else that defines me. I am fond of saying that there is no place I would rather be than in a room full of Smith women.
And toward that end, I am so delighted to have the honor of serving the Smith College Club of New York City for the next two years as its President. The New York Club is the largest, most diverse and most dynamic Club in the Alumnae network. I hope to meet all of you in the coming months. And more importantly, we, your elected board, hope to provide a regular forum where you can meet each other. One where you can network, learn, experience, appreciate, and celebrate all that it is to be a Smith College alumna. Whether it is continuous learning, or job referrals, making new friends, or reminiscing with old ones, there is so much to be gained from being a part of the Club.
I hope you will consider becoming a sustaining member of the Club. Check out the member benefits - they are spectacular - and growing daily.
I hope to see you at a Smith College Club of New York City event soon.
All best,
Rachel Lyn Honig, '93
President
