From time to time we will post information about newsworthy activities by members of the Class of 1974.

• Two of our classmates, Sylvia Lewis and Linda Smith Charles, participated in Smith’s Alumnae Oral History project a few years ago. Their interviews can be viewed here:
  • Sylvia Smith Lewis: Sylvia discusses her experiences as a member of the class of ’74, which had the largest number of admitted African American students in Smith’s history. During her time at Smith, Sylvia was part of a very active student group who were instrumental in the formation of the African American studies program, a Black theater group, the Mwangi Cultural Center, and the Black Alumnae Association.
  • Linda Smith Charles: Linda discusses a wide range of her experiences during and after Smith College. She discusses attending Smith during a socially tumultuous time especially around racial diversity, and the student activism that occurred on campus in response. Linda describes her professional life after Smith and her position as a trustee.

  To see more about the Smith College Alumnae Oral History Project, see the Special Collections Finding Aid here

Sandra Turner Bond was featured in an article in the Summer 2025 Alumnae Quarterly that showcases her photos of the Black students of the class of 1974, the largest class of Black students at the time. Check out Picturing the Black Experience.

Sylvia Smith Lewis and her husband Byron E. Lewis, Sr. have donated more than 20 works to the Smith College Museum of Art from their collection of African American, Caribbean and African art. The SCMA will showcase these works in an exhibition titled “A Beacon to the World” which runs from February 23 to October 6, 2024. See the SCMA’s press release for more information about this exhibition and about the Lewis’s collections and promotion of black artists. Also see a detailed description of items in the collection.

If you have news to share, please send to one of our Class Secretaries: Anne Wing Hamilton (annewing.hamilton2@gmail.com) or Marsha Shaines (marshashaines@gmail.edu)