From the Director

Dear Friends, 

I am honored to be writing to you after completing my first year as Executive Director of Newcomb Institute. I am thrilled to report that we are growing in staff size, our work, and the support you provide to make more progress on gender equity issues.   

The gifts from alums and Newcomb supporters like you strengthen our programming and impact. This past year, we awarded $325,000 in grant funding to students, faculty, and community members to support gender equity-focused research and community engagement. Through our Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health and our Feminist Summer Internship programs, we placed close to 100 interns in local and national organizations. We continue to support community participatory action in our local community with our partners to strengthen New Orleans and Louisiana while building the capacities of our students to do this work. More than 130 students served as leaders in Newcomb student organizations this past year, gaining valuable leadership experience, building networks and friendships, and organizing programming across campus and in the community.   

Here at Newcomb, we are staunch advocates for the autonomy and agency of all. In the past year, we have released significant research reports and peer review articles and given public talks around the world. Research topics have included reproductive politics and health, population dynamics and demography in Southeast Asia, gender-based violence and discrimination in Louisiana and California, the experiences of exiled Afghan women leaders, the economic costs of intimate partner violence, and the status of women in New Orleans. Most recently, we released the #MeToo 2024 Report, a national study that speaks to the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault despite increased public awareness and legislative action following the #MeToo movement. This critical work follows our 2018 study and indicates that more work is absolutely necessary to support victims.  

We are always thinking about how we can do more, and we are so gratified by the Newcomb community’s shared commitment. This issue of the magazine centers around the power of networking and how our alumnae are always cognizant of helping others because of the connections they forged at Newcomb. Celia Scott Weatherhead (NC ’65) made history in September with the largest gift ever made to Tulane University, naming the School of Public Health the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Women philanthropists like Celia play a crucial role in driving systemic change and preparing generations of students with the skills and knowledge they need to create a healthier world for all.   

Our Newcomb Alumnae Association award recipients also demonstrate remarkable dedication to helping others. These women all have made their marks on their industries, contributed to their communities, and shown overwhelming dedication to their alma mater.     

Thank you for being our biggest supporters and part of our “more.” 

Sincerely, 

Anita Raj, Ph.D., M.S. 

Executive Director, Newcomb Institute of Tulane University