Lyon Pride

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • November 7, 2016

Ivory miniature of Mary Lyon, founder of Mt. Holyoke College.


Mary Lyon was the founder of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Frankly, she wanted it to be a college but given the times, she had a hard time convincing people (read: funders) of that. Thus, the word “seminary” was chosen and the school opened in 1837 becoming the first women’s college in the country. In 1861, the three-year course of study became four and then in 1888, the college was given its collegiate status. The development of women’s colleges is a fascinating subject – cloistered as they were away from the hustle and bustle – and influences! – of towns and menfolk (of course!). They were modeled in their design and basic daily running after insane asylums of the early nineteenth century – I kid you not. I could go on but that is not the focus of this blog’s subject matter today.


There is a little arguing over just which college was first for women but it has been agreed that Wellesley and Vassar Colleges both modeled themselves after MHC as it is referred to by us alums – yes, I graduated from MHC. There have been quite a few MHCers who have crossed the threshold at MMA I am happy to say – via internships in all the departments, fellowships that helped to begin the Astronomy Department back in the early twentieth century, and staff positions.


Mary Lyon smiled a bit more back in August when new Director of Natural Science, Emily Goldstein Murphy, joined the MMA. Emily graduated several moons (pun intended) after I did from MHC but nevertheless that sisterhood spans generations and I am happy to have her join  us – as I am sure Maria Mitchell and Mary Lyon would be.


Welcome, Emily! Roar!


JNLF

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