Women's History Month Collection 2026

In celebration of Women's History Month, we honor a remarkable group of alumni whose work spans generations, mediums, and artistic disciplines. From the formidable Colleen Dewhurst (1947) to the genre-blending storytelling of Naomi McDougall Jones (2008), and more, these artists exemplify the enduring impact of women in the arts. While this list represents just a small selection of the talent within our community, it highlights the lasting contributions of alumni who continue to inspire future generations of performers to come.

Colleen Dewhurst (1947) was a commanding Canadian-American actress whose extraordinary career across stage and screen made her a defining figure of American culture in the twentieth century. Renowned for her compelling work, she won two Tony Awards for All the Way Home (1961) and A Moon for the Misbegotten (1974), and became closely associated with the Off-Broadway movement under Joseph Papp, performing major Shakespearean roles including Cleopatra and Lady Macbeth. She collaborated with leading playwrights such as Eugene O’Neill and Edward Albee, and later earned widespread recognition on television with roles in Anne of Green Gables and Murphy Brown, the latter earning her two Emmy Awards. Over her career, she received four Emmy Awards in total and served as president of Actors’ Equity Association from 1985 until her death in 1991, leaving a lasting legacy as both a performer and advocate for actors.

Naomi McDougall Jones (2008) is an award-winning writer, actor, and producer whose debut feature Imagine I’m Beautiful earned 12 festival awards and secured theatrical and digital distribution, followed by Bite Me, which launched through an innovative 40-city national tour before its wide release. A leading advocate for gender parity in film, her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Ms. Magazine, and Salon, and conducted the TED Talk, What It’s Like to Be a Woman in Hollywood. She is the author of the bestselling book The Wrong Kind of Women. Naomi is also the founder of The 51 Fund, supporting films by women, and served as the Executive/Artistic Director of The Liberty Theatre Company in Idaho. Late last year, Naomi starred in the feature film Suffer, an atmospheric epic with fantasy and western flair.

Hayley Marie Norman (2004) is an actress and writer whose work spans television, film, and digital media. Her credits include Top Five, Fired Up!, and Norbit, along with appearances on series such as Crash and The Game. In addition to her on-screen work, she has written and produced original digital content, developing projects that reflect her perspective as both a performer and storyteller. She recently made her directorial debut with The Errand, which played at PAFF (Pan African Film Festival) in February.

Angel Parker (1999) is a dynamic television and film actress known for her versatility across drama, action, and sci-fi. She has appeared in a wide range of popular series including Marvel’s Runaways, The Rookie, All American, and The Recruit. With a career spanning network television and streaming platforms, Parker continues to be a compelling presence on screen, balancing franchise work with grounded dramas.

Jessica Pimentel (1999) is a multi-hyphenated actress and musician best known for her standout role as Maria Ruiz on the critically acclaimed series Orange Is the New Black. Her performance earned her recognition as a compelling dramatic talent, as the part became a fan favorite. In addition to her screen work, Pimentel is also an accomplished musician, bringing the same passion and intensity to her work across artistic disciplines. This summer, Pimentel will play Escalus in Romeo & Juliet at the Delacorte Theatre as part of The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. The curtain goes up on May 22nd.

Leesie Pinto (2020) recently appeared in Terry McMillan Presents: Forever, which premiered on Netflix earlier this year after initially being produced as a Lifetime film. Working alongside Taye Diggs and Meagan Good, Pinto noted the generosity and mentorship she received on set. The film went on to remain in Netflix’s Top 10 for two weeks following its release. She will next be seen in In Starland, starring Clarence Maclin. Filmed in Mississippi and directed by Ray Panthaki, Pinto has expressed particular pride in the project’s collaborative process and ensemble cast.

Constance Zimmer (1990) is an Emmy-nominated actress known for playing refined, sharp characters. She earned widespread acclaim for her role as Quinn King on UnREAL (including an Emmy nomination), and roles from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Shameless, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Newsroom dotting her resumé. Zimmer continues to build a dynamic body of work, with recent projects including the FX limited series Love Story, further highlighting her versatility and enduring impact on screen.