Smith College Medalist Lori L. Tharps ’94: ‘Is Saving the World Too Much To Ask?’

Lori L. Tharps ’94 is an author, journalist, educator, podcast host, and popular speaker who describes her work as meeting “at the intersection of race and real life.” Tharps spent two years working on Madison Avenue at one of New York City’s top public relations agencies before earning a master’s from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She started her journalism career as a staff reporter at Vibe magazine, then as a correspondent for Entertainment Weekly. She has done writing and editing for top publications, including Ms., Glamour, Essence, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Tharps is the award-winning author of three critically-acclaimed nonfiction books: Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America,  Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain,  and Same Family, Different Colors: Confronting Colorism in America’s Diverse Families. In 2021, Tharps, who has three children, moved with her family to the south of Spain to pursue a full-time career as a creative writer, fulfilling a longtime dream. The following year, she launched the Reed, Write, and Create podcast and platform, which provides inspiration and resources for BIPOC writers. Here, Tharps, who will be honored with a Smith Medal during Rally Day on Feb. 26, shares her thoughts talks about Smith’s enduring impact and the issues she’d like to see future Smithies address.

What is your proudest accomplishment? 
“Ever since I was a little girl I could clearly articulate that I wanted to be a mother and a writer. In February 2001, my first book Hair Story was published, and in June 2001, my first son was born. I now have three children, and I’ve written seven books. Those two feats combined are my greatest accomplishments and my lasting legacies.”

How has your Smith education continued to impact your life today? 
“Even though I received a stellar education at Smith, the biggest impact the college had on me was personal. It was at Smith that I understood the power of female friendships, that I could do whatever I set my mind to, and that women could do anything. My four years at Smith gave me the strength, courage, and wisdom to go out into the world feeling completely prepared for whatever the future held.”

What advice do you have for seniors who are interested in writing? 
“If you want to write, write. Do not wait for permission. The beautiful thing about the world we live in now is that there are so many ways to get your writing out into the world without waiting for the so-called gatekeepers to anoint you. Don’t censor yourself because you think your words or your stories don’t matter or aren’t important enough to share with the world. The world needs your poetry, your love stories, your journalism, and your comic books. It may sound cliché, but the pen really is mightier than the sword, which is why authoritarian governments ban books, arrest journalists, and assassinate poets. Never turn away from your writing—in any form—because our words are our most powerful weapons.”

What does being honored with a Smith Medal mean to you?
“Being honored with a Smith Medal feels like winning an Academy Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and being crowned homecoming queen, all at the same time. It is such a special honor because I respect the institution so much. Smith made me who I am today, so to be recognized by the college feels like I have made good on the education I received and made Sophia Smith proud. Also, I hope it helps me convince my daughter that she must go to Smith!” 

What major issues today would you like to see Smithies tackle?
“Is saving the world too much to ask? Honestly, I think Smith women are up for the charge. I would love to see Smithies go out into the world and honestly do their best in whatever field they feel called to and strive to make the world a better place. Whether that means erecting one little free library in a neighborhood bereft of public libraries and bookstores, or working on a cure for ovarian cancer, or figuring out how to bake the perfect chocolate wedding cake. There isn’t one issue, there are so many, and each one needs to be solved by people passionate and committed to that issue. Never underestimate the impact one person can make.”

Why is it critical to support Smith philanthropically?
“Nobody needs to reinvent the wheel. They just need to support the wheels that are already spinning and doing the most work. Smith College has been educating outstanding women for over 150 years. Smith knows what it takes and is in it for the right reasons. If we want to see the world become a better place, then we need more Smith graduates in the world. That all costs money, but it truly is an investment in a better future for us all.”

What is key to ensuring you love what you do for a living?
“Not everyone loves what they do for a paycheck and health insurance—and that’s OK. The award-winning science-fiction writer and icon Octavia E. Butler worked in warehouses and restaurants to support herself while she worked on her writing career. She took jobs that didn’t require her to think very much, so she could reserve her creative energy for her writing. Follow your instincts and see what lights you up. It might take several years and several jobs before you find a vocation. Or you may just find a nice place to work where the pay is sufficient, the holiday parties are fun, and you have enough energy and time after work to do the things that you really love but don’t get paid for.” 

Any words of wisdom for the class of 2026?
“Don’t think you have to have everything figured out on the day after you graduate. This is a journey and each step has a purpose. Try to find the joy and the lesson in every phase of your life, knowing it’s going to serve you in the long run. Listen to your parents, teachers, and mentors, consider their wisdom, but, ultimately, learn how to listen to yourself. Go into the world and make your mark. Make a difference in whatever arena you land. Surround yourself with good people and invest in your family and your friendships. And, most importantly, try to have as much fun as possible.”