Hortense Parker: Shattering Conventions… Forging New Paths

The Hortense Parker Celebration Week honors Mount Holyoke’s first known student of color to graduate and the first known African American to attend the College less than two decades after the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Established in 2009 by graduating seniorsAhyoung An ’09 and Camila Curtis-Contreras ’09, to celebrate and raise awareness of the history, struggles and achievements of people of color at Mount Holyoke, we continue to celebrate the legacy of not only Hortense Parker, but all Mount Holyoke College students, faculty and staff of color.
Sponsored by the SGA Students of Color Committee and the Office of Community and Belonging, the celebration is held annually in early October. The event features an alum speaker, a keynote address by a renowned person of color, student performances, an essay contest, and more.

This year’s theme, “Shattering Conventions… Forging New Paths” reflects the bold legacy of Hortense Parker, who, upon arriving at Mount Holyoke in 1878, defied the norms and expectations of her time. When the College officials discovered that she was African American, they were surprised. Yet, despite the segregationist culture of the era, they had no choice but to allow her to enroll in classes and live on campus with white students—something virtually unheard of at the time. Hortense Parker’s presence at Mount Holyoke paved the way for future generations of students of color.

This year, we also honor BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Frances Perkins Scholars—students and alumni who have followed unconventional paths by enrolling at Mount Holyoke to complete their undergraduate degrees. Many are parents, partners, or have full-time careers, yet they also serve as leaders within our MHC community and beyond.

Join us for this year’s Hortense Parker Celebration Week, including a Block Party on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 3:30 pm to 6 pm, a Creative Competition, and the annual Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 3. For more details about each event and to learn about the Creative Competition, please see below.

Showcase the way that you have learned to embrace your intersecting identities and how they show up for you. How have your identities impacted your unique journey as a person of color, whether that be professional, educational, emotional, or creative?

Answer this prompt through an essay, poem, art piece, or video essay or any other creative medium.

Submissions are due Tuesday, Oct. 1, by 5 pm.

Only one submission per student is permitted. We look forward to reading your work! questions? For more information contact students-of-color-committee-g@mtholyoke.edu.

Three winners will be chosen in honor of Hortense Parker
Prizes are as follows:
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
3rd Place: $100