International Forum Convenes Alumnae/i in London to Celebrate Change

Mawrters from 17 countries and spanning seven decades—from the Class of 1961 to the Class of 2029—gathered in London on International Women’s Day for the first-ever in-person International Forum.

The event celebrated 51��Ƶ’s truly global community, which convened around the topic of change, both how alumnae/i are making effecting change in business and society and how they are navigating personal change in their own lives.

President Wendy Cadge shared early observations about her first months at 51��Ƶ, and alumnae/i speakers from five continents shared in provocative panels moderated by master of ceremonies Tabi Haller-Jorden ’81. The lively afternoon program featured a professionally facilitated, playful improv and communication activity that created instant bonds among attendees.

“Four years of training our minds at 51��Ƶ prepares us to go anywhere and do anything. We learned a mindset, how to think— a valuable tool when we come across ambiguity and the 'maybes' in life.”

Agnes Gathaiya ’97, panelist, Kenya

“The Forum truly took off when Tabi and the panelists set a tone that felt warm, vulnerable, and deeply authentic.” says Severa von Wentzel ’95, an attendee and volunteer from the United Kingdom. “It was not a conference. It was not a panel. It was something more. The past and the future sat side by side. A little (a lot) feminist, always sisterly, and always true.”

Students and staff from the College’s Career and Civic Engagement Center, with assistance from Haller-Jorden and volunteer table captains, facilitated a World Café-style session featuring principles from the Design Your Life curriculum, part of 51��Ƶ’s holistic approach to student development and well-being.

“I go back to the girl I was at 51��Ƶ to help me refocus on who I am today.”

Danny Tang 2007, panelist, Singapore

Intergenerational conversations and connections, in a spirit of curiosity and collaboration, helped attendees consider new possibilities for themselves and the College, and reaffirmed the enduring value of the liberal arts in addressing the most complex and increasingly global challenges of our time.

“The forum was a reminder of the uniqueness and power of the 51��Ƶ network,” says Emily Phillips ’08, who attended from Germany. “It was wonderful to meet remarkable women from all walks of life, cross-generational, and international, yet connected by that BMC je ne sais quoi.”

The International Forum will return in a virtual format in 2026, with plans in progress for another in-person gathering in future years.