The world through their eyes: Sharing visions of peace

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 seniors Ahyoung 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 Division of Student Affairs, the celebration is held annually in early October. The events feature an alum speaker and/or keynote address by a renowned person of color, student performances, a creation contest, a block party, and more.

This year’s theme “The World Through Their Eyes: Sharing Visions of Peace” was inspired by the great poet, teacher, and activist Audre Lorde. Audre Lorde once said “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are different than my own”. As the world is trying to divide us we must remember we are all cut from the same cloth. No matter your color, nationality, sexuality, or gender we bleed blood the same, breathe air the same, and we share visions of peace.

We as a community would be doing ourselves a disservice to divide instead of uniting. Hortense Parker, the first Black woman to graduate from Mount Holyoke College, opened doors for everyone here. Let us strengthen her legacy and create our own. This year, we highlight intersectionality, unity, collaboration, and friendship. While some may find it juvenile — our support systems are who push us to keep moving forward. Let us remember our history and celebrate today.

Join us for this year’s Hortense Parker Celebration Week, including a Block Party on Saturday, October 3, from 4–7pm, our creation contest, and our annual ceremony on Tuesday, October 6, from 4:30–6:30 pm.

For more details about each event and to learn about the Creative Competition, please see below.