Celebrating William & Mary Women

The following story originally appeared on the W&M Alumni Magazine website as an online exclusive. - Ed.

Campus buzzed with a special energy the weekend of Sept. 12-14: W&M Women's Weekend was back. Sponsored by the William & Mary Alumni Association and the Society of 1918 - the university's giving society committed to growing the engagement, leadership and philanthropy of W&M women - Women's Weekend 2025 brought close to 300 alumnae and friends to campus to celebrate the accomplishments, passions and connections of W&M women.

Keynote address

An opening video set the tone for the weekend.

Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, sat down for a keynote conversation with President Katherine A. Rowe. Together, they delved into the joys and challenges of navigating life as a woman, drawing on Saujani's experience as an entrepreneur, CEO, activist and mother.

After their conversation, Rowe and Saujani took questions from the audience.

At the keynote event, Janet Rollins Atwater '84, P '17, P '20, Fran Engoron '70, Shanda Cooper Goff '06 and Christine Simpson '05 (not pictured) from the Society of 1918 presented President Rowe with a check for $5.5 million, representing the growth of the Alumnae Initiatives Endowment (AIE) since the previous W&M Women's Weekend in 2022. Proceeds from the AIE support initiatives like Women's Weekend, the Navigating Transitions course, a grants program and more.

Strolling supper

After the keynote, attendees enjoyed a strolling supper in the renovated Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall and the newly expanded Muscarelle Museum of Art. An art showcase included a new portrait of President Rowe by artist Sharon Sprung and pieces from students, faculty, staff and alumni that represented W&M women. The winning entry by Marissa Sirois '25 includes the profiles of pioneering W&M women Mary-Cooke Branch Munford, Hatsuye Yamasaki '37and Lynn Briley '71, L.H.D. '18 and was featured on tote bags given to attendees.

Collaborative mural

Attendees helped create a collaborative mural with artist and entrepreneur Zara Fina Stasi '12 that will be displayed in the Alumni House. Weekend participants could also contribute to the Communal Quilt Project led by Steve Prince, director of engagement and distinguished artist in residence at W&M's Muscarelle Museum of Art.

Deans panel

On Saturday morning, Provost Peggy Agouris moderated a panel discussion with William & Mary's deans about how they are collaborating across schools, innovating while maintaining the highest standards of teaching and research, and preparing students for today's challenges, including the rise of artificial intelligence.

Sessions & Mary Talks

More than 45 alumnae, faculty, staff, parents and friends gave presentations during the weekend, sharing their expertise on topics ranging from hormonal health to human rights to marine science. Speakers represented a wide range of ages, careers and backgrounds, including authors, doctors, members of the military, creatives and more. Championship-winning W&M Women's Basketball Coach Erin Dickerson Davis gave a lunchtime keynote filled with practical life and leadership advice. (Pictured above: Cathy Kuangu '12 who spoke on "Who Are You Talking Through? Recognizing Your Impact Through Connection," and Amy Steindler '80, "Becoming a "Conscious" Leader: A Foundational Framework for Becoming a Leader Even You Can Admire").

Dance party

Saturday night's "Girls Just Wanna Have Dessert and Dance" party featured a photo booth and the musical stylings of PMS and the Hot Flashes.

A memorable weekend

Other weekend events included service projects on campus; deep dives into the Integrated Science Center, Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships and W&M's Batten School & VIMS; wellness activities; and a workshop on using the Better Arguments framework for discussing difficult topics. Attendees gathered for an aerial photo in Barksdale Field, named for another pioneering W&M woman, Martha Barksdale 1921, M.A. 1929.

The next signature W&M Alumni Association event will be Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Oct. 16-19. See all upcoming events.

Claire De Lisle and Catherine Tyson contributed to this story.

Staff, University News & Media

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