Fostering Alumnae Friendships

Whether you are a native Angeleno, a longtime transplant or a recent arrival, you'll always be at home with the SCCLA.

The Club sponsors a variety of social, cultural and educational programs, including visits and lectures by faculty and staff from the College, all throughout the year. Our events are informative, educational and fun! The Club provides unique opportunities to develop friendships and maintain lifetime connections with other Smithies. Additional activities include Mountain Day West, annual Holiday Party in December and Spring Picnic in June, numerous book groups, a young alumnae group, teas and career-oriented meet-ups. We also publish a monthly newsletter and maintain an active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

A Message from the Smith College Club of Los Angeles Board:

The SCCLA’s Commitment to a Future of Inclusion

We, the Board of the Smith College Club of Los Angeles, believe

Black Lives Matter and we are committed to taking action against racism and bias.

Recent events have re-emphasized the need for the Club to not just talk about shifting its focus, but to act on improving diversity and inclusion in its leadership and programming. The Board should reflect the people it serves, and we acknowledge that the current Board of the Smith College Club of Los Angeles does not.

We acknowledge that some local alums and their families have been made to feel unwelcome or not included. Furthermore, we recognize that we did not all have the same experience while at Smith. Our Los Angeles community comprises vast racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, sexual-identity, and religious diversity. We want the Club to be a place where the promise of the Smith network is realized and welcoming of all of our diversity and provides programming that speaks to all alums.

The SCCLA Board is committed to take the 2020-2021 Club calendar year to listen and learn in order to make the Club inclusive, welcoming and one that fully represents all Smith alums in Los Angeles. 

Actions we are taking:

Seeking Input and Feedback: The Board presently is gathering initial feedback, that will inform further action. We will need your ideas and comments to determine exactly how we can achieve our goals of being inclusive and welcoming to all Los Angeles Smithalums. Please email us with your input and feedback on this topic at inclusionfeedback@smithclubla.org.

Expanding Alum Involvement: We want to broaden alum involvement at all volunteer levels. No experience necessary. The SCCLA is a place to use and develop your skills and expertise. Shadow a board member, join as a Co-Chair, or be a committee member — all valued and vital roles. Your volunteer experience with the Club can also serve as a training ground for work on larger non-profit and corporate boards. Email us to let us know an area you are interested in and/or any other way you’d like to participate.

Expanding Our Giving: While continuing to support our locally endowed scholarship funds, we directed a significant portion of this year’s annual gift from the Club to Smith to programs that increase support for students of color. Specifically, we donated $2,500 divided evenly between Inclusive Smith and the Emergency Fund for Students of Color.

Programming Review: We are reviewing our programming — striving to be inclusive, diverse, and not shy away from addressing big and uncomfortable issues. For example, we are asking our book clubs to ensure their book choices are inclusive of a broad range of authors and perspectives. We are also looking at all aspects of our programming from topics to locations to format. If you have any suggested speakers, topics, locations, or events, please email your ideas to inclusionfeedback@smithclubla.org.

SCCLA Board Vote and Feedback Form: Normally, we would gather in person for our annual Club meeting at which we would vote on the slate of officers for the Board for the coming Club Year. This year, we are asking for you to vote on the slate of officers online and indicate your interest in getting involved. We hope that through your participation, the proposed slate of volunteer officers will be joined by a diverse group of new leaders as we launch the Club’s renewed commitment to inclusion. 

Signed the 2019-2020 Board of the Smith College Club of Los Angeles

Kristin Matthews ‘91, President

Sarah Meacham ‘05, Vice President and Immediate Past President

Betsy Topper ‘82, Recording Secretary

Colleen Rabin ‘08P, Treasurer

Susan Pollack ‘85, Corresponding Secretary

Vicky M. Razo ’04 and Xiomara Iraheta ’07, Admissions

Grace Lee ‘00J, Career Network

Riana Olson ‘14, Events

Evelyn Brown ’72 and Rachel Nyback ‘92, Membership/Sales Force

Jamie Maloney ‘07, Newsletter

Dana Ehrlich ‘89, Social Media

Amy Schancupp ‘79, Merchandise

Gail Conway ‘48 and Diane Link ‘68, Theater

Grace Kim ‘11, Young Alumnae

Sonia Brown ‘14, Website

Judy Kleinman ‘67, Pasadena

Advisors: Vivian Forbes ‘50, Elsa Pauley ‘66, Lois Thompson ‘66, Heather Jones ‘95, Heidi Novaes ‘88, Noriko Ward ’88, and Roz Zakheim ‘69