SMU celebrates its 57th annual Women’s Symposium on March 2 in celebration of Women’s History Month. The Symposium is organized by members of CORE, the student planning committee. This year’s theme is “Lift As We Climb,” a phrase that originates with Black women’s fight for the right to vote. The keynote speaker this year is Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too movement.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, Simone Melvin talks with CORE chair Sylvia Bloom about her role and insight on the Symposium.

Sylvia is a senior transfer student at SMU. She served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for CORE last year and is currently working with the Women and LGBT Center director, Dr. Sidney Gardner, and the rest of the student organization to plan the event.

Simone and Sylvia discuss the importance of understanding the history of the phrase, “Lift As We Climb.” They consider the role that Tarana plays in the theme, and what this phrase means for the future of the Symposium.

Simone Melvin is a member of CORE.

Recorded in Fondren Library at SMU.