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May 31, 2026

As the month that traditionally marks the end of the spring semester, as well as commencement and alumnae reunion season at Smith where we are based, May has usually offered an opportunity to exhale and look forward to the quieter summer months at Meridians. And indeed, that has been the case this month to an extent: we celebrated our departing team of interns, a birthday, our Smith alumnae supporters who visited us, especially our cherished “anonymous donor” who visited our offices at 22 Green Street for the first time since pledging her $1 million lead gift in 2021. We also welcomed the publication of our spring issue which showcases scholarly, creative, and activist writing that exemplifies contemporary intersectional feminist iterations of Anzaldúa and Moraga’s foundational conceptualization of “theory in the flesh.” The table of contents spans a wide range of geographies, fields, topics, and debates, each offering an innovative intervention that invites both cognoscenti and those new to the feature's focus alike to consider the continued power of "theory in the flesh" as both method and as theory. The cover of this issue features “A Prayer”, a deeply symbolic piece of textile art created by Black Canadian artist Simone Elizabeth Saunders, whose work I invite you to explore further. I also invite you to check out our “On the Line” feature for this issue, which highlights Dr. Manijeh Moradian’s timely piece, "Feminist Uprising in Iran and the Politics of Solidarity." We also continued to spread word of the Meridians mission near and far, and celebrated our community members’ many achievements beyond their formal contributions to Meridians; after all, every bit of women of color knowledge production and activism contributes to our rising tide.

As Meridians readers and supporters already know, our community of authors, reviewers, supporters, and readers fuels our indomitable will to persist with our project of centering and disseminating transnational women of color knowledge production globally. That we are succeeding not only in speaking truth to power, but in deeply unsettling the powerful, was made clear once again this month when the current administration announced its targeted attack on Smith College, our home base, for its inclusive admissions policy. I am happy to say that our community’s strength and brilliance inspires my confidence that, although it has undeniably done some damage along the way, we will ultimately prevail against the current wave of regressive governmental agendas. I was reminded of this during May Day when I participated in the “Voices of Working People’s History” performance. The show recounts the United States labor movement’s perennial challenges and achievements, reminding us that our efforts are nourished by both bread and roses, not to mention a little dancing along the way, as Emma Goldman famously insisted. As you will see below, at Meridians we likewise invite you to partake of both serious food for thought and beauty to inspire and sustain.

Enjoy!

What We've Been Up To

Volume 25, No.1 Now Available!

Centered around the theme of "Theory in the Flesh," Volume 25, No. 1 brings together a vibrant array of scholars and artists. From "the dead sell the living" by Paramita Vadhahong—winner of the 2025 Elizabeth Alexander Creative Writing Award—to Shazia Rahman's "Queer Ecofeminism in Arundhati Roy’s Walking with the Comrades," this brand new issue is filled with stunning, essential reads!

You can purchase your copy of this stunning edition on the Duke University Press website or stop by our office at 22 Green Street.



Congratulations to the Meridians team, our incredible authors, and our dedicated supporters for bringing another beautiful issue to life.

Check Out the 'On the Line' Feature for 25, No. 1

We are thrilled to showcase the newest digital feature on our "On the Line" page! We are spotlighting the vital work of Dr. Manijeh Moradian, featuring her piece from our 25.1 issue: "Feminist Uprising in Iran and the Politics of Solidarity." The Editor selected this exceptional scholarship for its timely resonance with our current global landscape.

This feature is complemented by a powerful video project from the NYC chapter of Feminists for Jina as part of a global joint effort of feminist revolutionary uprisings in Iran, on the anniversary of the state killing of Jina Mahsa Amini.

Head over to our website to dive into this profound multimedia feature!

End of Semester Celebrations

Not only is Ginetta Candelario '90 the editor of Meridians, but she is also a fantastic chef of sancocho, a traditional stew from the Dominican Republic! She served a sancocho (both regular and vegetarian versions) for twenty students in her LAS/SOC 244: Feminisms and Women's Movements class and Meridians interns as an end-of-semester celebration.

Another end-of-semester celebration was held at local favorite Jake's in Northampton to wrap up our 2025-2026 intern cohort. We also had the pleasure of surprising our wonderful Administrative Manager, Leanna Oen, for her birthday. Here's to our favorite Taurus!

Wishing Beth Raffeld Farewell: May 7

Left to right: Leanna Oen, Jacqui DeFelice, Marea Wexler, Beth Raffeld, Editor Ginetta Candelario '90, Provost

Daphne Lamothe, and Joy Houlder

Smith College bid a bittersweet farewell to Senior Vice President for Alumnae Relations & Development, Beth Raffeld, after an incredible 13 years. Beth and her department were instrumental in establishing the Meridians endowment fund, thus ensuring the legacy of the journal. We are grateful for Beth's vision, leadership, and impact.

Thank you, Beth!

Honoring Our Alumni: Reunion Weekend I & II: May 2026

At Meridians, we believe in the power of voices across generations. During our open houses for Reunion I and Reunion II, we reconnected with former student interns and introduced Meridians to Smith alumnae. Enjoying some bubbles and hors d'oeuvres, we shared the history of Meridians and made some new friends.

Thank you to all who stopped by!

Community News

Friends of Meridians Government Professor Anna Mwaba '10 and African Studies Professor Maria Andam, are cohosting the virtual workshop Transgressive Women: Resisting, Rising and Redefining Feminism in Africa.

The Transgressive Women workshop is open to all members of the Five College community and Northampton residents. Learn more at their

Transgressive Women website.



The Trangressive Women features keynote speaker Dr. Stella Nyanzi, a poet, gender researcher, medical anthropologist, and feminist activist from Uganda. Her poetry was the focus of the Laura Edmonson article, The Labial Politics of Stella Nyanzi, published in Meridians Vol. 24, no. 2. This event will also involve Dr. Naminata Diabate, who participated in our October 2025 African Feminist Praxis and Pedagogy, and was interviewed for our

25th Anniversary Issue, Vol.24, No. 2 (fall 2025).

Editor Brings Meridians to Paris!

While in Paris this May, the Meridians Editor met with Meridians Guest Speaker Silvio Torres-Saillant of Syracuse University and Sarah Aponte, Chief Librarian of the Dominican Studies Archives. This fruitful international collaboration was followed by a wonderful meeting with Smith College alumna,

Saara Bouhouche (AMS ’11).



We are so excited to welcome our Editor home to dive into the insights, connections, and inspiration she brings back from her crosscontinental travels!

Meridians featured on the

Indigeneity, Language and Authenticity blog

Thank you to Johan Sandberg McGuinne for showcasing Meridians Vol. 23 no. 1, Indigenous Feminisms Across the World, Part 1 from April 2024. The Indigeneity, Language, and Authenticity blog highlights Saami literature and culture. While Sandberg McGuinne may have been directed to this particular issue for Ina Knobblock's article, "'A Rape of the Earth' Sámi Feminists against Mines," he correctly notes that "that every article seems to bring home one solitary truth; there is no clear line between settler colonialism and patriarchal violence."

Ongoing Projects

Meridians Giftshop is now open on our website and carries these high quality, branded items available for purchase without a subscription:

• Specialty boxed pens
• Mugs
• Greeting Cards (featuring Meridians covers)
• Special Issues
• Tumblers

Meridians Classic Rollerball Pen

Classic and classy, this custom engraved Stratas Classic rollerball design makes a stunning impression. Its all-brass construction is formed into a three-sided shape that fits in the hand comfortably and lays flat without rolling away. The chrome cap is adorned with gold accents and contrasted by the gloss enamel barrel - creating a clean and distinctive look. Top quality rollerball ink made in Germany delivers the smooth rollerball experience every time.

16 oz. Two-Tone Meridians Bistro Mug

Indulge in the unique beauty of every sip with our 16 oz. Nebula Speckled Clay Coffee Mug. Crafted from durable clay with a speckled finish, this mug boasts a cosmic-inspired design that adds a touch of elegance to your daily routine. Perfect for coffee lovers, it’s both a functional and stylish addition to your kitchen or office space.

Special Issues Available*

*Not all special issues available for purchase are pictured here. For a look at our full catalog,

 please go here.