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Simmons Honors Women’s Equality Day 2025

A graphic with the words: August 26 National Women's Equality Day

Over the course of an academic year, Simmons News and Simmons Magazine publishes dozens of stories on feminist and gender studies scholarship, activism, and leadership. To honor Women’s Equality Day (August 26) 2025, which commemorates women’s right to vote in the United States, we offer highlights from some of our favorite women’s-centered content from the past year that recognize Simmons faculty, students, staff, and alumnae/i who have helped pave pathways toward gender equity.

Spotlight on Students

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Houley Koundourou ’28

Undergraduate Receives Prize from New England Poetry Club

Houley Koundourou ’28, a double major in Writing and Political Science, recently won the 2025 Victor Howes Prize in Poetry, awarded on behalf of the New England Poetry Club. We spoke with Koundourou about poetic inspiration, her Senegalese ancestry, and the value of a women-centered education.

Ava Dugan ’27

Unsung Contributions to the History of Nursing

School of Nursing student Ava Dugan ’27 was selected as the winner of the American Association for the History of Nursing’s (AAHN) annual essay contest for Nursing students. Dugan's essay highlighted nurses often overlooked in history books, in spite of the impact of their contributions.

Angie O’Connor ’25

Sexual Health Research, Travel, and Community Involvement

Angie O'Connor ’25, a first-generation college student, reflects on her four years at Simmons — doing research, studying abroad, and being involved with several affinity organizations.

Helena Saldivar-Mieres poses in front of a portrait of British suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928).

Simmons Undergraduate Makes Voting Honor Roll

Committed to civic engagement and the democratic process, Helena Saldivar-Mieres ’25, along with students from other US universities, was honored for supporting nonpartisan student voter engagement during the 2024 election.

Mattea Ortiz ’28, dressed in a Daredevil costume

Celebrating Trans Awareness Week with Simmons Undergraduate, Journalist, and Comics Fan

First year student Mattea Ortiz ’28 reflects on the benefits of a women-centered institution for trans, queer, and nonbinary students.

Spotlight on Faculty

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Headshot of Suzanne Leonard

Simmons Faculty Member Quoted in The Washington Post

An article in The Washington Post discusses the impact of Miranda July’s second novel and features commentary by Suzanne Leonard, Professor of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Program Director for Gender and Cultural Studies.

Dr. Lisa Fagin Davis

SLIS Lecturer Researches Women Who Collected Medieval Art

In a talk she delivered at the 2024 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, School of Library and Information Science faculty member Dr. Lisa Fagin Davis discussed the history of women creating, reading, and owning medieval European manuscripts. To honor Women’s History Month 2025, we spoke with her about this research and its connection to her Simmons courses.

The logo for Thriving Through Adversity, featuringa blooming flower above the text

Chemist and Coach Helps Women in STEM Cultivate Belonging

Beyond her faculty role at Simmons’ Department of Chemistry and Physics, Dr. Lara Kallander supports women in STEM via Thriving Through Adversity Coaching, a small business she founded in 2019.

Spotlight on Alumnae/i

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Kenyora Johnson ‘10, CEO of End Rape On Campus speaks in front of the Department of Education during a Title IX press rally, October 2021.

Simmons Alumna Centers Survivorship

Kenyora Lenair Johnson ’10, CEO of End Rape On Campus (EROC), is dedicated to elevating survivorship and centering marginalized populations. To honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we spoke with her about EROC’s bold initiatives, as well as Simmons’ intergenerational community.

Dale Stinchcomb '16MS stands in front of the Morgan Library and Museum, where he serves as the Drue Heinz Curator of Literary and Historical Manuscripts, photograph by Carmen González Fraile.

SLIS Alumnus Co-Curates Major Jane Austen Exhibition

In February 2024, Dale Stinchcomb ’16MS, became the Drue Heinz Curator of Literary and Historical Manuscripts at the Morgan Library and Museum. We spoke with him about this unique role, his forthcoming co-curated exhibition on Jane Austen, and the essential training that he received at Simmons.

Esta Soler '68, '06HD, photograph by Dean J. Biriny.

An Advocate for Women and Children

Esta Soler ’68, ’06HD is the President of Futures Without Violence (FUTURES). Based in San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C., this nonprofit organization aims to prevent violence against women and families.

Dr. Dorothy (Boulding) Ferebee, Class of 1920, receives the first Alumnae/i Lifetime Achievement Award in 1959, photograph courtesy of Simmons University Archives.

Harbinger of Health, Racial, and Gender Equity

An early proponent of reproductive rights and a courageous advocate of racial, socioeconomic, and gender equity decades before the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements, Dr. Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee, Class of 1920, was a visionary leader ahead of her time.

Rayna Hill '22MA/MPP, photograph by Kelly Davidson

Lived Experience: An Engine of Advocacy

A motivated advocate for social justice, Rayna Hill ’22MA/MPP is creating an equitable future for LGBTQ+ youth in the state of Massachusetts.

Elizaabeth Carr ’04

Alumna Shares Journey from “Miracle” Birth to Fertility Advocacy

For Elizabeth Carr ’04, the first IVF baby born in the United States, fertility education constitutes empowerment and advocacy. She spoke with us about her widely publicized birth, new historical memoir, and formative experience at Simmons.

Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem

Simmons Alumna and Chief Justice Advances System Improvements in Child Welfare in Massachusetts and Nationally

The Honorable Amy L. Nechtem ’76 is the Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Juvenile Court Department, protecting the safety, health, and wellbeing of children residing in the state. Chief Justice Nechtem spoke with us about her her commitment to systems enhancement affecting vulnerable children and families, both influenced by the early impact of the Simmons sisterhood.

An aerial photo of the labyrinth on the Simmons University campus

Children’s Literature Alumna Named among Rising Star Women of Education

Janet Daniels ’10MFA, the Assistant Director of the Student Center at Harvard University’s Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, was recently recognized as one of the Rising Star Women of Education for 2024.

Spotlight on Campus and Community

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Three women standing in front of the parade headquarters of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association, 1914

Women's Equality Day 2025

President Wooten reflects on the generations of women who fought for the right to vote and what it takes to advance gender equity in this moment.

Press Pass issued to Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD by the National Business Center, 1994, from the Gwen Ifill Papers collection, courtesy of Simmons University Archives.

University Archives Digitizes Gwen Ifill Papers Collection

Archives and Digital Initiatives Fellow Hannah Gershone ’25MS and University Archivist and Digital Initiatives Librarian Kelsey Kolbet ’21MA/MS recently completed a substantial digitization project involving manuscripts, photographs, and memorabilia related to Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD (1955–2016).

Trustee Tiffany Dufu and Brooke Shields in a fireside chat, Simmons Leadership Conference 2025, Jill Person Photography.

SLC25 Celebrates Leaders’ Capacity for Change

The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership recently hosted the 46th Annual Simmons Leadership Conference. The diverse array of panelists and guest speakers championed resilience, self-growth, and interpersonal connection.

SSHP Dean Paul Geisler, Professor Valerie Leiter; Associate Professor of Practice Edima Ottoho, Tozoe Marton '18, Ifill School Dean Ammina Kothari, Professor of Practice Carmen Harrison, and SON Dean Heather Shlosser, photograph by Ashley Purvis.

Scholars Emphasize that Women’s Health is Public Health

Shortly before the sixth annual Ifill Forum, an esteemed panel of Simmons scholars from diverse disciplines co-presented “Women’s Health is Public Health.” Dr. Ammina Kothari, Dean of The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences, served as the event’s moderator.

Dr. Sharon Malone delivers her keynote for the 2025 Ifill Forum, photograph by Ashley Purvis

Dr. Sharon Malone Promotes ‘Grown Woman’s Talk’

The sixth annual Ifill Forum featured board-certified OB/GYN, menopause expert, bestselling author, and women’s health advocate Dr. Sharone Malone. In conversation with WBUR’s All Things Considered radio host Lisa Mullins ’80, ’05HD, Dr. Malone spoke about her close friendship with Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD and rallied women to advocate for better health.

Miniature portrait of a young John Simmons, possibly worn by his wife, Ann (Small) Simmons, courtesy of Simmons University Archives.

John Simmons: A Businessman with a Pivotal Vision

In honor of the University’s 125th anniversary, we offer an in-depth chronicle of the life and legacy of founder John Simmons (1796–1870).

Headshot of President Lynn Perry Wooten

President Wooten Featured in Boston Business Journal

Celebrating the pivotal importance of mentorship, the Boston Business Journal featured fifteen women in the city who have served as mentors, including Simmons University President Lynn Perry Wooten.

Susan MacKenty Brady speaking at the 2023 Leadership Conference

Institute for Inclusive Leadership CEO Responds to “the Broken Rung” on CBS News

According to Susan MacKenty Brady, “a massive amount of value is lost when we aren’t fully tapping into the available talent in our organizations. . . . The traction of early promotion is where we need to mend, and where we need to lift up and create more resources and more opportunity for women.”

Spotlight on Simmons Announcements

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One of the Simmons University signs near campus

Simmons Awarded Grant Funding from Luce Foundation

Funding from the Henry Luce Foundation will support Simmons’ efforts to advance student success, retention, and confidence in STEMM-related fields as well as a Clare Boothe Luce Professorship.

Simmons University Main College Building in the fall

Simmons Named a Top 100 Women-Led Business in Massachusetts

The Women’s Edge, a nonprofit organization that supports female business leaders, together with its partner The Boston Globe, has announced that Simmons University was named one of the 24th annual Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts.

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Kathryn Dickason

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