Smith Alum, Counsel to the First Lady

The President has named Susan S. Sher, a Smith alum, to be Associate Counsel to the President and Counsel to the First Lady.

DemConWatch reports that "Mrs. Sher most recently served as the Vice President for Legal and Governmental Affairs and General Counsel of the University of Chicago Medical Center and was responsible for all legal, government, regulatory, and community affairs at the Medical Center. From 1993 through 1997, she was the Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. She was the City of Chicago’s chief lawyer, responsible for representing the Mayor, city departments, boards, and commissions on all legal matters. She was the first Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1980-1993. Previously, she was Associate General Counsel of the University of Chicago, and earlier, was a partner at Mayer, Brown & Platt, specializing in Labor and Litigation. Mrs. Sher received her J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, and attended Smith College."

Marjane Satrapi to Speak at Smith April 3rd

Marjane Satrapi, whose autobiographical novel about the Islamic Revolution, “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood,” was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated animated film of the same name, will speak at Smith College at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 3. More info here.

And the Oscar goes to...a Smithie!

NEW YORK TIMES, March 7, 2008
A filmmaker triumphant, a film about triumph
Smith alumna Cynthia Wade's documentary film about a New Jersey police detective who valiantly fought the county for the right to transfer her pension to her domestic partner has captured 15 awards, including an Oscar. But, Wade said, "The goal was never an Oscar; the goal was to bring attention to this issue in other states where gay rights are on the legislative agenda." Wade is Smith Class of 1989.

Hillary Clinton for President

If you live in Vermont, Texas, Ohio, or Rhode Island, I'm sure you've been inundated by proponents for all the candidates in today's primary. In general, I like to leave people alone when it comes to their voting decisions, but I feel so strongly about today's potential result, that I wanted to take a moment and express my sincerest hope that you and (and everyone else you know in these states) will vote for Hillary Clinton today.

I voted for Hillary because when I told my grandfather that I'd gotten into my first choice law school a few years ago, he said, "Women should be teachers." And when my mother wanted to be an engineer, my grandfather told her, "Women should be teachers. " I want my grandfather to see a woman President in his lifetime. I want my four-year-old niece to see one, too. I want them both to know that women can be teachers, if they want, but that they can also get law degrees and become world leaders.

There are a hundred other reasons why I believe Hillary Clinton is the best choice for the Democratic nomination, but rather than subject you to such a long list, I'll just say I think she will serve our country well.

I love going to the polls and I hope you'll enjoy your trip there today as much as I enjoyed mine on Super Tuesday.

I am voting for Hillary Clinton.

I am voting for Hillary Clinton because when I told my grandfather that I'd gotten into my first choice law school he said, "Women should be teachers." When my mother wanted to go to college, my grandfather told her, "Women should be teachers. " I want my grandfather to see a woman President in his lifetime. I want him to know that women can be teachers, if they want, but that they can also go to college, get law degrees, and become world leaders.

Why are you voting for Hillary?

A Female Presidential Candidate

The Boston Globe ran an interesting article today about the predicament Hillary Clinton is facing as a woman running for President. The writer of the piece articulated many of the same frustrations that I articulated in a note to friends, asking them to consider candidate Clinton, that I wrote just before Super Tuesday.

Regardless of your political leanings, you may find the article interesting.

Read the Globe article, "Clinton's Struggle Vexes Feminists" here.
Read my e-mail on the subject here.

If you are a Hillary supporter, you can get yourself a free bumper sticker. Go here to find out how. I didn't want to stick a bumper sticker to my car, so I just taped mine to the window. :-)