The theme of the Women’s Symposium this year is “breaking through.” The daylong event will focus on women breaking through stereotypes, industry, and economic limitations.

Southern Methodist University will be celebrating the 51st annual Women’s Symposium from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2 at the Hughes-Trigg student center.

The symposium is free and open to the public.

The forum brings together women and men of different ages and backgrounds to discuss topics of national interest.

This year’s keynote speaker is Carol Moseley Braun, the first and only African-American woman U.S. Senator. She is expected to speak at noon. The symposium will also include panels, a lecture on stereotypes, a lecture on breaking through professions, and much more.

The women’s Symposium was created in 1966 and is now the longest running event of its kind in the country.

Freshman Gillian Peters is excited to attend the symposium.

“Since it’s my first year at SMU, I have never been, so I want to go and see what all the hype is all about,” said Peters.

Find more information about the event here.