On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences will host the Ifill Forum, our annual signature event in honor of Gwen Ifill '77, '93HD and her legacy as a ground-breaking Black woman journalist. Each year, the Ifill Forum brings together important national voices for a public conversation on key questions of the day.
This year’s event focuses on Women’s Health and will feature two programs. The first is a panel discussion featuring Simmons faculty experts in healthcare, public health, and global health policy. The second is the keynote speech and award ceremony featuring Dr. Sharon Malone, a nationally known expert in women’s health and the New York Times Bestselling author, moderated by WBUR Anchor Lisa Mullins ’80 ’05HD.
The 2025 Ifill Forum takes place at Simmons University and will also be streamed online. Registration for the virtual or in-person event is required.
Ifill Forum 2025 Panel Discussion: Women's Health is Public Health
1 – 2:30 pm, C-520/C-521 and Virtual
The Simmons community is invited to a panel discussion preceding the keynote with researchers in the Simmons community about the importance of women's health. The panel is hosted by the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences in collaboration with the School of Nursing and School of Sciences and Health Professions.
Panelists include:
- Carmen Harrison, Professor of Practice, School of Nursing
- Valerie Leiter, Professor and Chair, Department of Public Health
- Tozoe Marton, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Edima Ottoho, Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Public Health
Visit the Panel Discussion event page for more details about the speakers and Register.
The Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sharon Malone, "Grown Woman’s Talk: Taking Ownership of One’s Healthcare"
3 – 5:30 pm, Linda K. Paresky Conference Center and Virtual
Dr. Sharon Malone is a DC-based OB/GYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner on a mission to empower women to take charge of their health. A nationally known expert in women’s health and the New York Times Bestselling author of Grown Woman Talk, Malone is the Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women’s Health, a telehealth company that focuses on women over 40.
Throughout her professional career, she has been active in advocating for reproductive rights, reducing teen pregnancy, and eliminating health care disparities. Dr. Malone has been honored with the Health Award from the Black Women's Agenda, Inc., and was named on the 2024 Forbes 50 over 50 list.
Dr. Malone will be honored with the Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award, presented to an individual who embodies Gwen Ifill’s commitment to professional excellence, mentoring, and the public good.
This event, moderated by WBUR Anchor Lisa Mullins ’80 ’05HD, will also include a book signing of Malone’s new book, Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy (Crown Publishing Group, 2024). The first 100 people to register will receive a copy of Dr. Malone's book. Visit the Ifill Forum event page to Register.
Please refer to the Ifill Forum webpage or email [email protected] with any questions.