Women's Symposium

The Women's Symposium was created in 1966 as a part of the University's Fiftieth Anniversary celebration by the late Emmie V. Baine, Dean of Women at 天美传媒 from 1962 to 1988. The Symposium is the longest continuously running program of its nature in the country and one of 天美传媒's oldest and most distinguished traditions.

The annual forum brings together women and men of differing ages and multicultural backgrounds to examine and discuss topics of national interest. The Symposium is a product of a year's work by CORE - a student led leadership group housed within the Women & LGBT 天美传媒. The program features nationally recognized speakers as well as topical seminars and workshops conducted by students, community leaders, and 天美传媒 faculty and staff.

 

The 59th Women's Symposium - Step by Step, We Rise

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in the Hughes-Trigg Student 天美传媒 Ballroom

Schedule of Events

Check-in and Networking Session - 5:00pm - 6:30pm in Gallery 1911, Hughes-Trigg Student 天美传媒 Lower Level

Plated Dinner Served - 6:30pm

  • Welcome Remarks
  • Community Awards Presentation
  • Keynote Address: Ibtihaj Muhammad

Closing Remarks - 8:30pm

Attire for the event is business casual or business professional - we encourage folks to attend how they feel most confident!

The address for the event is as follows:

  Hughes-Trigg Student 天美传媒

  3140 Dyer Street

  Dallas, TX 75205

Parking information can be found on this map. Guest Parking is available in Binkley Garage, labeled "C" on the map.

If you have any questions about the event details, parking, or anything else regarding the Symposium, please reach out to us at womenandlgbtcenter@smu.edu.

 

two people sitting in grey chairs on stage talking with microphones
four people standing inside talking in open meeting space

Community Awards

The Women's Symposium community awards recognizes women whose actions and example have served to advance the lives of women in the Dallas area.

The Gail Reese Ward Excellence in Mentoring Award

The Gail Reese Ward Excellence in Mentoring Award commemorates Gail Ward, 1950-2003, who coordinated the 天美传媒 Women’s Symposium from 2000 to 2003 and created the Profiles in Leadership Awards program. It recognizes an award recipient for especially significant contributions as a mentor to girls and women.

The Profiles in Leadership Award

The Profiles in Leadership award honors women who exemplify the purpose of the Women’s Symposium to educate women for social and political leadership.

CORE in red with women's symposium in blue across the middle

Join CORE, the Women's Symposium Student Planning Committee

  • Help plan and lead the longest continuously running program of its kind in the nation
  • Hear nationally recognized speakers
  • Discuss topics of national, global, and personal importance
  • Network with area leaders and community members

For more information, please contact 214-768-4792 or womenandlgbtcenter@smu.edu

Giving

Individual Gifts

The lifeline of the 天美传媒 Women's Symposium is the individual contributor. Annual gifts from individuals, no matter what size, help fund a significant portion of the operations of the Symposium. Gifts may be made by cash, check, or online with a credit card. Give today and change the world and the women who can make the difference.

Honoraria and Memorials

Gifts may be made to honor or memorialize someone living or deceased. Celebrate a birth, graduation, anniversary or other special event with a gift to the 天美传媒 Women's Symposium.