Tears. Unabashed crying. Giving no f**ks. Bravery. Fearlessness. Courage. Empowerment. Beauty. Confidence. These were the words that came to mind while viewing and experiencing all that is the Ada Monologues on Saturday, April 18th 2015. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the college’s pioneering program for nontraditional-aged students.
Beautifully empowered women from all walks of life came together to celebrate their individual journeys leading them to the sisterhood that is the Ada Comstock program. From Jan Morris, who embodied her Southern alter-ego and sang out about how she was mullet-proof, to a Smithie’s touching and moving tribute to her parents who taught her the importance of equality in the home and in society. And another student’s anecdote about fish in Bangkok, these non-traditional scholars embodied all that is Smith. Fearless in their monologues and fearless in life, these Ada’s showcased the beauty in change and unconventionality- all their respective paths to Smith were drastically different, whether filled with sorrow, desire to better themselves, broken marriages, or lost loved ones and multiple careers; these Smithies stood together in solidarity: We are here. We are Ada’s, and we are Smithies, through and through.