Christine Lagarde has withdrawn as our commencement speaker. It has been a long and draining road to reach this point but the administration finally listened to our concerns. I am finally going to get some sleep tonight.
June 19, 2014
Final supporters
The following members of the Smith community request that you reconsider your decision to select Christine Lagarde as the commencement speaker for the class of 2014. By selecting Ms. Lagarde as the commencement speaker we are supporting the International Monetary Fund and thus going directly against Smith’s values to stand in unity with equality for all women, regardless of race, ethnicity or class. Although we do not wish to disregard all of Ms. Lagarde’s accomplishments as a strong female leader in the world, we also do not want to be represented by someone whose work directly contributes to many of the systems that we are taught to fight against. By having her speak at our commencement, we would be publicly supporting and acknowledging her, and thus the IMF. Even if we give Ms. Lagarde the benefit of the doubt, and recognize that she is just a good person working in a corrupt system, we should not by any means promote or encourage the values and ideals that the IMF fosters. The IMF has been a primary culprit in the failed developmental policies implanted in some of the world’s poorest countries. This has led directly to the strengthening of imperialist and patriarchal systems that oppress and abuse women worldwide. At Smith College, a school with a campaign called “Women for the World”, we are taught how to stand up and fight against inequality and corruption. We are taught to speak up when something is unjust, and we do not wish to be represented by a system that doesn’t support us.
Updates
April 28, 2014
The momentum behind this is heavier than I expected and my exhaustion is matched only by my resolve. Many of you are seeing the same contradictions in our institution that I am and we clearly have a long path ahead of us.
Reached 100 supporters
February 13, 2014
96 Comments
Irregardless of her personal politics and accomplishments, having the director of the IMF speak is a tacit endorsement of their policies. Women for the World should include all women, including women in the developing world directly impacted by these failed policies.
The IMF and its actions are the exact opposite of the practices that Smith College preaches to its students. By affiliation with the IMF Ms. Lagarde does not represent the publicly expressed value of the college, nor does she represent my values. Frankly I would rather have no commencement speaker
Disappointed in this choice by my alma mater. The IMFs policies stand in stark contradiction to the principles of social justice and solidarity we worked toward at Smith.
I am proud that the Smith College community is as an advocate for equality. As a Senior I am not proud to be represented by Ms. Lagarde. I wish Smith would broaden its horizons beyond women of power and find women for equality to represent us, maybe next year a disability advocate?
Oppression of women is not a Smith value. The benefit of some women, like Ms. Lagarde, is at the oppression of millions of others. I am saddened and deeply disappointed in Smith administration's choice for commencement speakers considering the litany of brilliant women who attempt to create social just futures for all people. Shame on you.
She drank the 'kool aid'!
This is a stupid petition.
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Christine Lagarde has withdrawn as our commencement speaker. It has been a long and draining road to reach this point but the administration finally listened to our concerns. I am finally going to get some sleep tonight.
June 19, 2014
Final supporters
The following members of the Smith community request that you reconsider your decision to select Christine Lagarde as the commencement speaker for the class of 2014. By selecting Ms. Lagarde as the commencement speaker we are supporting the International Monetary Fund and thus going directly against Smith’s values to stand in unity with equality for all women, regardless of race, ethnicity or class. Although we do not wish to disregard all of Ms. Lagarde’s accomplishments as a strong female leader in the world, we also do not want to be represented by someone whose work directly contributes to many of the systems that we are taught to fight against. By having her speak at our commencement, we would be publicly supporting and acknowledging her, and thus the IMF. Even if we give Ms. Lagarde the benefit of the doubt, and recognize that she is just a good person working in a corrupt system, we should not by any means promote or encourage the values and ideals that the IMF fosters. The IMF has been a primary culprit in the failed developmental policies implanted in some of the world’s poorest countries. This has led directly to the strengthening of imperialist and patriarchal systems that oppress and abuse women worldwide. At Smith College, a school with a campaign called “Women for the World”, we are taught how to stand up and fight against inequality and corruption. We are taught to speak up when something is unjust, and we do not wish to be represented by a system that doesn’t support us.
Updates
April 28, 2014
The momentum behind this is heavier than I expected and my exhaustion is matched only by my resolve. Many of you are seeing the same contradictions in our institution that I am and we clearly have a long path ahead of us.
Reached 100 supporters
February 13, 2014
96 Comments
It would be nice if Smith would honor women who aren't part of an organization that has caused so much hard to poor people around the world. Ms. Lagarde does not deserve our respect just because she makes a lot of money. Smith should honor inovators and people who are working to create a better world.
Irregardless of her personal politics and accomplishments, having the director of the IMF speak is a tacit endorsement of their policies. Women for the World should include all women, including women in the developing world directly impacted by these failed policies.
The IMF and its actions are the exact opposite of the practices that Smith College preaches to its students. By affiliation with the IMF Ms. Lagarde does not represent the publicly expressed value of the college, nor does she represent my values. Frankly I would rather have no commencement speaker
Disappointed in this choice by my alma mater. The IMFs policies stand in stark contradiction to the principles of social justice and solidarity we worked toward at Smith.
I am proud that the Smith College community is as an advocate for equality. As a Senior I am not proud to be represented by Ms. Lagarde. I wish Smith would broaden its horizons beyond women of power and find women for equality to represent us, maybe next year a disability advocate?
Oppression of women is not a Smith value. The benefit of some women, like Ms. Lagarde, is at the oppression of millions of others. I am saddened and deeply disappointed in Smith administration's choice for commencement speakers considering the litany of brilliant women who attempt to create social just futures for all people. Shame on you.
She drank the 'kool aid'!
This is a stupid petition.
Share Petition
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It would be nice if Smith would honor women who aren't part of an organization that has caused so much hard to poor people around the world. Ms. Lagarde does not deserve our respect just because she makes a lot of money. Smith should honor inovators and people who are working to create a better world.