Women’s History Class Learns from MI Archivists

Dr. Tanya Roth’s History of Women’s Rights in the United States class spent more time learning about their own school’s history this week, this time hearing from Mary Institute alumni themselves. Mrs. Anne Stupp McAlpin ’64, Mary Institute and MICDS Archivist, and her team spent some time combing through our history and collecting heirlooms she thought the students would enjoy seeing. She displayed all the items in the Alumnae Room of Danforth Hall, the original Mary Institute building on this campus. The alumnae even brought rolls to share with the class as they discussed how the school has changed since their days as students. Today’s students saw May Day and commencement programs and dresses, school and sports uniforms, photographs, student newspapers and mementos that are, in some ways, quite different than what they now experience.

The class thoroughly enjoyed their time with both the alumnae and the heirlooms, as evidenced by their comments:

“Something I found interesting was the clothing that they wore. It was really cool to see all the May Day dresses and sports wear.”

“It was fun and I think more people should get to see and learn about the archives because junior year, we go to the CDS ones, but I think it would be cool if everyone hears the history of MI, too.”

“I enjoyed the field trip. I thought it was interactive and a fun opportunity to learn more about our School’s history.”

“Overall I had a fun time. I enjoyed looking at the senior photos. The ladies did a wonderful job presenting. I like hearing about what life was like before I was alive and seeing how different but also similar things were. I liked that we got to hear from women who actually went to our School.”

“I found out that Mary I has such a deep history.”

“I really appreciated and enjoyed that the women who were in charge of the class presented the archives in a very organized manner that was tailored to our interests. I loved getting to look up-close at the artifacts.”

“I loved looking at the clothing articles that the girls would wear throughout the eras, and I thought it was interesting to compare and contrast how the articles changed over the years.”

“I loved seeing all of the different artifacts that have been collected and seeing how things have changed and not changed in the time of the Schools’ merging. I also found it really interesting to learn the history of the School (which I did not know previously) and how the School came to be.”

“I loved hearing about the different sports and how women’s sports became more prominent once CDS moved next to MI because of the competition factor.”

“I really enjoyed when we were able to look at all the cool objects and when we discussed sports.”

“I loved hearing the personal accounts of Mary I students and traditions, since it really humanized them, and it made it feel less ancient.”