Lowell Women's Week is a component fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation

For over thirty years, Lowell Women's Week has celebrated women in our community of Lowell, Massachusetts - from the women who have come before us to the women of today. In 2025, Lowell Women's Week will be returning for its 30th year.

Schedule of Events:

February 25, 2025

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Braided Streams: Women of Faith Speak (28th Annual)

Presenter: Imogene Stulken and panelists

A panel of women students and staff from diverse faith traditions will reflect on their experiences of the intersection between religion and gender. 2025 marks the 28th annual offering of Braided Streams. Sponsoring Organization: Protestant Campus Ministry at Lowell

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Film: Singing The Buffalo Back

Location: Boott Cotton Mills Museum, Events Center on the 2nd floor, 115 John St, Lowell, MA 01852

An epic reimagining of North america through the lens of buffalo consciousness and a potent dream of what is with our grasp. The film follows Indigenous visionaries and communities who are rematriating the buffalo to the lands they once defined.

March 1 - March 31, 2025

Boarding House Pop-Up

Location: Mogan Cultural Center, 40 French St., Lowell, MA

Throughout the month of March, drop into the Mogan Cultural Center to learn about just some of the inspiring women of Lowell's history. In addition to exploring the 1840's Boarding House and the new One City, Many Cultures exhibits, dive into our newest pop-up. Discover historic women who have inspired what Lowell is today and read their stories. Think about the women in your life that have set an inspiring example and share those stories as we celebrate all women this month!

March 8, 2025

10:00 am - 11:00 am: Acre Neighborhood Walking Tour

Location: Leaves from Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market St., Lowell MA

Parish Historian and Archivist David McKean and will lead a walking tour of “God's Holy Acre”. The tour will last one hour and will involve an hour of walking and standing. They request that you wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. This event is free and open to all.

March 13, 2025

9:00 am: Annie Powell And her Thousands of Lowell Photographs 1891-1945, a forgotten woman who photographed Lowell for over 50 years.

Location: Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street

Bernie Zelitch tells the story of a newly discovered Lowell Photographer named Annie Powell, 1859-1952. Born in West Yorkshire, England, Annie emigrated to Lowell in 1891. Recent research with forensic and compositional analysis shows Annie Powell to be the likely photographer of over 3,000 images that appeared in books and on postcards. Her work is held in the archives of numerous universities: Cornell, Harvard, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Lowell National Historical Park. Come learn about this extraordinary woman whose photographs tell the forgotten story of Lowell.

Annie Powell was born in West Yorkshire, England, Annie emigrated to Lowell in 1891. Recent research with forensic and compositional analysis shows Annie Powell to be the likely photographer of over 3,000 images that appeared in books and on postcards. Her work is held in the archives of numerous universities: Cornell, Harvard, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Lowell National Historical Park.

Bernie Zelitch, founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Annie's life and work, will discuss how he unearthed her images in a Lowell Highlands basement

March 24, 2025

7:00 am - 9:00 am: Annual Lowell Women's Week Breakfast

Location: Lenzi's, 810 Merrimack Ave, Dracut, MA

Please join us for a morning of inspiring words, community, and recognizing the achievements of extraordinary women in
greater Lowell.

Keynote Speaker: Lura Smith

We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker for 2025 will be the incredible Lura Smith. More than 50 years ago, Lura and her husband, Robert, moved to Lowell from New Orleans, Louisiana, and have since become pillars of our community. A graduate of Lesley University's School of Management, Lura launched her professional career as a senior marketing manager at Wang Laboratories, where she contributed for 11 years. In 1994, she transitioned to Middlesex Community College as the assistant to President Carole Cowan, a position she held with unwavering dedication for 23 years until her retirement in 2017. In 1999, Lura, along with her family, partnered with the college to establish the Lura Smith Fund, which continues to support scholarships, programs, and events that honor the enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lura's visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to our community have left a profound and lasting impact. We are honored to welcome this remarkable woman and look forward to hearing her inspiring words.

Emcee: Thao Lan

Our emcee for the morning event is Thao Lan, founder of Push Muscular Restoration, a wellness practice in North Chelmsford specializing in deep tissue and sports therapy. A proud first-generation Cambodian american, Thao's dedication to service is rooted in her personal journey. She currently serves on the board of directors for two esteemed nonprofits: the Coalition for a Better Acre and the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, both of which are committed to connecting underserved communities with vital resources. Thao's inspiring journey-having received community support upon her arrival in Lowell in the 1980s and later becoming a passionate advocate and leader-drives her ongoing efforts to give back and mentor others.

March 25, 2025

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Film: Proleung Khmer Short Film Series

Location: Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John St, Lowell, MA 01852

In recognition of the 50th year of the Cambodian Genocide, experience powerful stories that celebrate resilience, conservation, and the environmental struggles of a wartorn nation, including Uncle Elephant and Once a Child
Soldier, co-produced by LPandCT's board member, Sopheap Theam.

Date: February 25 - March 25, 2025

Location: Various Venues In Lowell, MA

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