Newcomb Institute is proud to carry on the rich traditions of our endowed lecture series and programs. These events have an established place in the fabric of the campus and the community. Thanks to the continued generosity of alumnae and friends, we are pleased to showcase the following events and programs.
The Alberto-Culver Lecture Series
The Alberto-Culver Lecture Series, established by Carol Bernick (NC ’74), invites distinguished, nationally recognized professional women to campus to meet with students and discuss pertinent topics about women in business.
Past Speakers:
2022 Barbara Jones
2021 Nina Compton
2019 Angela Rye and Amanda Zuckerman
2018 Kate White
2017 Kathy Waller
2016 Paula Meyer
2015 Debora Spar
2014 No event.
2013 Sylvia Ann Hewlett
2012 Sonal Shah
The Florie Gale Arons '50 Poetry Forum
The Florie Gale Arons ‘50 Poetry Forum was established by her daughters Andrea Arons Houseman (NC’82), Lisa Arons Aldridge and Gina Arons in 1999 in honor of her 70th birthday, and still flourishes. Poets give readings as well as lead writing workshops for undergraduates.
Learn about the Florie Gale Arons Poetry Forum.
The Betty Werlein Carter (NC' 31) Lecture
The Betty Werlein Carter (NC’ 31) Lecture, established by the family and friends of the alumna, provides women students with information training, experience, contacts and involvement in the public policy arena.
Past Speakers:
2022 Rebecca Campbell
2021 Angela Tucker
2019 Dalton Tiegs and Rebecca Merton
2018 Wagatwe Wanjuki
2017 Kelly Knapp
2016 Brittney Cooper
2015 Lisa Rice
2014 Lynn Paltrow
2013 Jennifer Baumgardner
2012 Lynn Rosenthal
The Custard Lecture, funded by Marla Custard (NC ’91) brings speakers connected to the LGBTQ community to campus.
Past Speakers:
2022 Libby Sharrow
2021 Alyssa Lederer and Katherine Johnson
2019 Regina Kunzel
2018 Alicia Gariza and Elizabeth Alexander
2017 Alexis DeVeaux
2016 Jess Dugan
2016 Margot Canaday
2014 Kate Bornstein
2013 Alison Bechdel
2012 CJ Pascoe
2011 Mary Gray
2010 Susan Stryker
Adele Ramos Salzer '40 Lecture and Reading Series
The Adele Ramos Salzer ’40 Lecture and Reading Series was created by a donation from this dedicated alumna and volunteer, and has been generously strengthened through gifts in her memory from her family, friends, and classmates. The series supports academic programs focusing on women's experiences in higher education.
Past Speakers:
2022 Lisa Wade
2021 Anthony Jack
2019 Caroline Heldman
2018 Susan Komives
2017 Robin Ely
2016 Elizabeth Armstrong
2014 Mary Trigg
2013 Nannerl Keohane
2012 Linda Sax
2010 Lynn Peril
2009 Cheryl Wagner and Dedra Johnson
2008 Monica Edelstein and Martha Ward
Newcomb Institute’s annual Roe v. Wade Lecture commemorates the historic 1973 U. S. Supreme Court decision that recognized abortion as a constitutionally protected right. Every January, Newcomb Institute invites a nationally recognized scholar of reproductive rights to present their latest research. The series, which engages student groups such as Students United for Reproductive Justice, Social Workers for Reproductive Freedom, Med Students for Choice, Students United for Reproductive Freedom (School of Public Health), and If, When, How (School of Law), has brought to campus scholars from a variety of disciplines, including history, architecture, sociology, and law. The annual lecture is preceded by a networking reception and poster presentations by NI’s Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health Interns and opportunities for legislative action for students, faculty, and the general public.
The annual Roe v. Wade Lecture is supported by the Donna and Richard Esteves Fund for Women’s Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health.
Past Speakers:
2024 Yasmin López, "Territory and Body - Women Leading the Fight for Reproductive Rights in Latin America"
2023 Kimala Price, “Reproductive Justice in a Post-Roe, Post-Dobbs World”
2022 Loretta J. Ross, “Reproductive Justice: Human Rights for the 21st Century”
2021 Diana Greene Foster, “Consequences of Receiving versus Being Denied a Wanted Abortion in the United States”
2020 Monica McLemore, "An Uncertain Future – The Way Forward to Ensure Abortion Care, Access, and Reproductive Justice"
2019 Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, "Women’s Reproductive Health and Economic Empowerment”
2018 J. Shoshanna Ehrlich, "(Re)producing the Maternal Ideal: Abortion Laws and the Romancing of Motherhood"
2017 Kimberly Kelly, “Abortion in the American South: Religion, Race, and Stigma”
2016 Rebecca Kluchin, “Maternal-Fetal Conflict in Post-Roe America”
2015 Lori Brown, “Contested Spaces: Abortion Clinic Design”
2014 Lynn Paltrow, “Interrogating the Differences between ‘Pro-Life,’ and ‘Pro-Lives’”
2013 Wendy Kline, “The Pelvic Instruction Controversy of the 1970s”
The Zale-Kimmerling Writer-In-Residence Program
The Zale-Kimmerling Writer-In-Residence Program provides a unique opportunity for students and members of the university community to meet with a notable woman writer as she spends a week on campus. The program was established by Dana Zale Gerard (NC ’85) and made possible by an annual gift from the M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation of Dallas, Texas. In 2010, the program became fully endowed through a gift from Martha McCarty Wells (NC’63).
Learn more about the Zale-Kimmerling Program.
Fridays at Newcomb is a lecture series with speakers across disciplines that provides students with the opportunity to learn about subjects outside of their majors. Lunch provided. It is free and open to the public. For event details, visit Newcomb Institute's calendar.