Announcing the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Lecturer

Dear Members of the Harvard Community, 

I am pleased to announce that Paula A. Johnson ’80, M.D. ’84, M.P.H. ’85, president of Wellesley College, will return to our campus to deliver the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Lecture this fall. 

A pioneering physician‑scientist, public health leader, and educator, Dr. Johnson has devoted her career to using science, medicine, and education to improve lives and expand opportunity for all. Her work has deepened our understanding of women’s health, reshaped training for future clinicians, and empowered students to see themselves as agents of change in a complex and interconnected world. She embodies the visionary leadership and moral clarity that this lecture series seeks to amplify—honoring individuals who, through activism, advocacy, scholarship, or service, carry forward Dr. King's vision of building a ‘Beloved Community.’ 

Since becoming the 14th president of Wellesley College in 2016, Dr. Johnson has transformed the institution’s approach to the liberal arts, reinforcing a commitment “to educating the next generation of inclusive STEM leaders” and ensuring that scientific inquiry is deeply engaged with the global world.  

In a time when the pursuit of truth, excellence, and discovery requires both rigor and compassion, her voice offers a vital perspective on the unfinished work of pursuing equal justice and human flourishing. 

We should all be proud that Paula Johnson is an alumna of Harvard, and I look forward to honoring her this coming October. 

In community, 

Sherri Ann Charleston 

Chief Community and Campus Life Officer