History

Finding yourself is a part of the college experience, but accepting yourself can be challenging without a strong community.

Pride SMC hopes to provide a visible, welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ students, alum, and their allies to find continued support and resources as Belles, students, alum, and as a community.

Since 2013, SMC LGBTQ+ alums have been telling their stories at the Saint Mary’s Alumnae Association Reunions, moving from in person panels to virtual presentations in times of COVID. Pride SMC evolved from a Facebook group, SMC LGBTQ+ Alums and Allies, which was created May 20, 2018. A survey was sent to Facebook members to select an official name from the group of LGBTQ+ alums and allies and Pride SMC was born. The creation of this group, and the continuation of LGBTQIA+ alum panels would not have been possible without the dedicated work of Dr. Mary Porter.

Two major College events caused the formation of Pride SMC as an official affinity group of the Alumnae Association.

Following an Alumnae Association email, inviting alums to start an Alumnae Club/Affinity Group, Jacqueline reached out to the Facebook Pride SMC about becoming an official alum group. An invitation was sent out to Pride SMC members for a virtual meeting on 25 Feb 2021, 8 pm CT where we discussed Pride SMC becoming an official affinity group. A combined effort by Mallory, Jacqueline, Cristina, and Adrienne led to official status.

We were also buoyed onward by the new strategic plan that up front stated that a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQ+ students would be created. And then it really happened. Pride SMC met virtually with Dr Redgina Hill to help shepherd the new center, recommending books and other materials for the center and speaking at the ribbon cutting for the center.