Laker Legacy: Lily Smith champions giving a voice to others
Lily Smith ’23 arrived at Mercyhurst University ready to embrace every opportunity that came her way. True to the advice she received—“Get involved!”—she immersed herself in campus life, joining the History Club, Laker Leaders, Black Students for Unity, and Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG). Through these experiences, Lily quickly realized the impact of her work and embraced the role of “a voice for others.” This commitment ultimately led her to serve as MSG president, where she represented the entire student body.
In doing so, Lily made history as the third African American woman to hold this prestigious position, following in the footsteps of Emma Newby Mason ’59 and the late Rochelle George Wooding ’71. Reflecting on her election, Lily said at the time, “It’s rare to see women in leadership, and even more so for Black women. That is why representation is so important. I want to show younger students of color that they can thrive here and feel that they have a voice.”
Now, as Mercyhurst honors Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Lily continues her journey of being “a voice for others.” After graduation, the history and political science major began working at “Summer Search,” a youth development nonprofit in Boston.
“My role involves mentoring first-generation high school and college-aged students from lower-income backgrounds and connecting them to internship and career opportunities with various partners in the Boston area,” she explained.
She is also in her last semester of the Master of Public Administration Program at Northeastern University and will graduate in May.
“I am currently working on a community revitalization project for District 7 (Roxbury area) in partnership with the Boston City Council and The District 7 ARTery,” she said. “These community engagement opportunities have been an amazing way to contribute to marginalized communities in the Boston area.”
She credited her Mercyhurst experience with enabling her to develop crucial skills like leadership, public speaking, and program implementation and evaluation, which she continues to use in public service and youth advocacy.
When asked why being “a voice for others” remains so important to her, Lily said, “Advocating for others is how we create change. It’s about helping people see their worth and potential when they may not yet see it themselves. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, understood, and empowered—and that’s a responsibility I take to heart.”