Today, on Women’s Equality Day, we honor the generations of women who fought for the right to vote—a milestone in the long struggle for equality that reminds us progress is never guaranteed. As we reflect on this historic achievement, we are called to consider what it takes to advance gender equity in this moment. At the heart of this effort is a modern women-centered education—one that prepares graduates not only to enter the workforce, but to rise, thrive, and lead in it.
This year’s Women’s Equality Day feels especially urgent. Despite progress, women and gender-diverse individuals still face persistent social, political, and economic barriers and stubborn glass ceilings. Meeting these challenges requires determined leadership, innovative solutions, and the courage to embrace change—the very qualities that define our students, faculty, staff, and alumnae/i.
In 1899, our visionary founder John Simmons imagined a space where women could access an education that prepared them for meaningful work and independent lives. His vision—radical for its time—became real through transformative action. That same spirit of courage and reinvention drives us now, because while the world has changed, the need for a bold, women-centered education has not.
Guided by John Simmons’ historic vision, we are redefining what a women-centered education means in today’s complex, global world. Our model features flexible learning environments, elevates gender-diverse perspectives, leverages digital transformation, prepares students for emerging professions, and fosters everyday leadership across every discipline. Programs like the Simmons Edge empower students to accelerate their academic goals, connect coursework directly to careers, and pursue advanced degrees more quickly, affordably, and seamlessly.
As the only women-centered undergraduate institution in Boston, Simmons has a unique and vital role to play—a role that demands courage, reinvention, and a steadfast commitment to John Simmons’ vision of an education rooted in equity, impact, and the professions. I am proud to lead a university whose mission and purpose are indispensable in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.