Simmons University Library

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 is National Voter Registration Day! This is an annual holiday initiated in 2012 by an organization of the same name. National Voter Registration Day (the organization) works with many local partner organizations to help citizens prepare for election day. They offer guidance for people registering to vote, in addition to requesting mail-in ballots, learning how to vote early, signing up for election reminders, and other supports that ensure Americans can exercise their right to vote.

In the early 20th century, members of the Simmons community fought for their right to vote through the women’s suffrage movement. For example, Wilda Claire Strong Peck MacKenzie attended Simmons as a student from 1911-1912, then later returned to work at Simmons from 1914-1925. During her time as a librarian and instructor at Simmons, MacKenzie served as officer of the Lynn Massachusetts Equal Suffrage Association, as President of the Women's Political Science Club of Lynn, and as a delegate at annual meetings of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association.

Images from MS267 Wilda Claire Strong Peck MacKenzie Papers:

1) Portrait of MacKenzie, circa 1910
2) MacKenzie’s original women’s suffrage banner, 1915
3) Framed portrait of MacKenzie next to a women’s suffrage pin, circa 1910

Today, Simmons remembers Gloria Steinem (1934-2026): activist, journalist, organizer, and leader of the American Women’s Liberation Movement. Steinem came to Simmons in 1973 as the College’s Commencement speaker and received an honorary Doctorate of Human Justice from Simmons that same year. More than 50 years later, we remember Steinem’s enduring legacy of advocacy, leadership, and activism.

🌈 Happy Pride Month from the Simmons University Library! This month and throughout the year, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community here at Simmons and across the world! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

☀️ Good luck to all our Simmons Sharks with Finals Week starting tomorrow! Just a heads up that the library will be operating on updated hours during Summer break. From May 10th to September 6th we’ll be open from 10am - 6pm Monday through Saturday, but closed on Sundays and holidays. The Archives will be open from 10am - 4pm Monday through Thursday, but closed Friday to Sundays and on holidays. The Silent Study Room will be available 24/7 with you Simmons ID.

Holidays:
Memorial Day May 25th - Closed
Juneteenth June 19th - Closed
Independence Day July 3rd and 4th - Closed

Have a wonderful summer! 🏖️