On Feb. 7, 2024, 16-year-old Indigenous nonbinary student Nex Benedict went to use the bathroom at an Oklahoma high school. Teen Vogue reported that because of anti-transgender laws in the state, requiring students to use the bathroom that correlated with the gender they were assigned at birth, Benedict was required to use the women’s restroom.
Throughout February, Mount Holyoke College and the Association of Pan-African Unity has hosted several events in celebration of Black History Month. This array of events has ranged from keynote speakers to galas to movie nights. During the week of Feb. 18, the College held several events, including an open mic night and a Black History Month gala.
Mount Holyoke College’s weekly senate meeting began on Feb. 27 with the Mount Holyoke College Land Acknowledgement as well as an overview of the meeting’s agenda. The agenda began with a check-in and debrief and ended with an open floor. The check-in began with the senate discussing their “roses, buds, and thorns” regarding the current Mount Holyoke community. After discussing for a few minutes, students shared their answers.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in Hooker Auditorium on Feb. 12 for the Mount Holyoke College Association of Pan-African Unity’s ‘‘Voices of Resilience: Black Professors in Higher Education.” The event speakers included Professor of Economics and Critical Race and Political Economy Lucas Wilson; Chair and Professor of Biological Sciences Renae Brodie; and Associate Dean of Students, Community and Belonging Latrina Denson.
Student Government Association Senate opened its meeting on Feb. 20 with a reading of the Mount Holyoke College Land Acknowledgement and the meeting agenda. The agenda included E-Board updates, open floor and a special town hall with Residential Life and Disability Services to discuss the housing process.
Nearly 100 people came to Mount Holyoke College’s Hooker Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 8, to attend a screening of “Faces of Medicine,” a film showcasing the stories of those who have experienced the struggle and joy of being a Black female doctor in the United States. The film was created by Dr. Khama Ennis, and through it, viewers learned about her life and the lives of other doctors featured in it.
On Feb. 13, Karla Youngblood, associate vice president for Facilities Management, and Carl Ries, treasurer and vice president for finance and administration, announced an update on the ongoing geothermal energy initiative here at Mount Holyoke College. This update provides some key information surrounding upcoming construction, which may impact students.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mount Holyoke College’s historic gender-inclusive admissions policy. At convocation on Sept. 2, 2014, former President Lynn Pasquerella welcomed in the school year with the official announcement of the policy, making the College the second historically women’s institution to formally open its doors to female, transgender and nonbinary applicants.
Mount Holyoke College’s Student Government Association opened its senate meeting on Feb. 13 with the Mount Holyoke College Land Acknowledgement, emphasizing the importance of learning about local Indigenous nations.
Afterwards, Vice President for College Relations Kassandra Jolley and Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Carl Ries were welcomed on stage to present information about financial aid and the College’s budget.
