Photo by Lillie Martin

During Smart’s discussion, she spoke of her book and more.

The Alumni Memorial Union Monaghan Ballroom was filled with smiles, laughter and thoughtful reflection at Marquette University’s Mission Week Women’s Luncheon Feb. 2. The main focus of the luncheon was guest speaker Maya Payne Smart, a College of Education affiliated faculty member.  

Name tags, a raffle and a small networking session drew guests into the foyer at 11 a.m. The doors opened promptly at 11:30 a.m. and attendees filed in to listen to Smart. As everyone found their seats, quiet voices and joyful hugs filled the room.

Goodies like pens, stickers and small journals, as well as light discussion about religion and motherhood kept the mainly middle-aged to older women attendees attentive. Sandwiches, fruit, salad and sweet treats were provided for a short lunch. 

Attendee Brenda Qualls, a Marquette librarian at Raynor Library, said she heard about the event through colleagues and was excited for the main discussion.

“It’s nice to see a handful of women in a community and to know that we all have each other’s support,” she said.

Qualls said she values diverse perspectives and appreciates the blending of education and growth within events like these. 

“The world is so dark, and in no circumstance will you not have to talk to people or understand their perspectives,” she said.

Her feelings seemed similar among the attendees in the room.

Smart, an author, journalist and nationally recognized literacy advocate, spoke during the luncheon. She said she’s dedicated to helping families raise fluent readers and has spent decades reporting and researching literacy.

She is the author of the book “Reading Former Lives,” which is an action plan for parents in reading skills for growing children. In the book, Smart breaks down her research into step-by-step strategies for teaching children. 

Additionally, Smart runs a website that provides free learning resources for families, such as book recommendations, communities, partnerships and more. 

Although Mission Week at Marquette is centered around religion, the main conversation at the women’s luncheon went in a different direction.

During Smart’s discussion, she spoke of her book, her teaching tactics and where her inspiration started. Among the crowd was her mother, who she noted multiple times. 

“It was like growing up in the shadows of her stories,” Smart said during her speech.  

Smart’s mother gave her an early passion for stories, naming her after a famous author, Maya Angelou. Her mother’s bookshelf, which remained in Smart’s childhood bedroom, further nurtured her love for books, writing and reading. 

“I always felt that writing was a part of my destiny,” Smart said.

The discussion was guided by Marquette University Police Chief Edith Hudson, who kept it light, relatable and funny.

“I’m curious about that,” Hudson said after Smart mentioned a struggle with reading a recent novel that she said was a letdown, which had attendees giggling in their seats.

Having her first child sparked Smart’s desire to better understand her children’s needs and learning capabilities through literacy. 

She focused on children’s minds during the discussion and how reading is decoding written words that have been spoken to you. 

She said literacy starts with conversation, being there with the child and everyday interaction. Smart shared her tactics as a way to ease parents’ minds and said the best way to tell if you’re on track is by looking at grade-level standards. Be attentive and be specific, she said. 

She closed the discussion by encouraging attendees to support early learning developments and share resources with friends and family. 

“Sometimes we miss our opportunities to be kind, and we have to use those experiences to do better next time,” Smart said. 

Dean of the College of Engineering, Kris Ropella, closed the event with a reflection. Ropella told the crowd to think of grace as something quiet and present in everyday life; something noticed, not earned.

“Simply paying attention to our day, our feelings, our interactions, is how we become aware of grace,” Ropella said. “Presence opens the door. Grace is a gift; grace invites rather than forces.” 

Rooted in Marquette’s Ignatian spirituality, the message emphasized that attention to oneself and others is a form of love.

By the end of the luncheon, attendees left with full stomachs and renewed perspectives. 

“Our positive, loving attention is the greatest chance we can give anyone,” Smart said.

This story was written by Lillie Martin. She can be reached at [email protected].