Graphic by Gabby Gagnon ‘24 (left). MHN Birthday graphic created based on popular 2004 film Mean Girls. Photo by Tara Monastesse ‘25 (right) A tapestry displaying the various mastheads of the Mount Holyoke News.
By Mariam Keita ’24
Editor-In-Chief
On Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1917, The Mount Holyoke News published its first issue, making the anniversary of the publication's 105th year in print. Now simply known as Mount Holyoke News, the College's independent, student-run news publication has been in print for over a century.
At the time, Mary Emily Aplin, class of 1918, served as the Editor-in-Chief of the publication’s Board of Editors. Upon the start of her term on the board, the staff consisted of only 16 students. Today, the Mount Holyoke News has more than 100 students on its staff.
The first issue contained a message to the first-year class, the class of 1921.
“Hello, 1921! We’re glad to see you—the whole 255 of you. The News is beginning its college career, too. Here’s hoping that neither of us proves a bore, and that we both make a success of college!” the statement read.
The Oct. 3, 1917 issue, only six pages long, had headlines ranging from “Miss [Mary] Woolley’s Welcoming Speech”, detailing President Mary Emily Woolley’s convocation speech, to “Class Tree Gone,” which details the fallout of a thunderstorm on one the College’s older trees. One notice, headlined “Junior Lunch Given Up,” even mentions the ongoing “war-time measures” in response to World War I.
Those who are interested in visiting the archival collection of the Mount Holyoke News’ back issues dating back to the early 20th century can visit one of three places. Physical copies of the original issue can be found in either the Mount Holyoke Archives and Special Collections located in Dwight Hall or the Periodicals section on level 2 ½ of Williston Library.
Curious minds can also find the original 1917 issue by visiting the Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections Digital Collections online.