1932 – White Girls Protest Scottsboro
The Chicago defender article features a photograph picturing Vassar women who participated in a protest to appeal the death sentence given to seven Black teenagers in Scottsboro, Alabama. These boys were wrongly accused of assaulting two white women in 1931. This article is an example of Vassar students participating in civil rights activism even if their school was not accepting non-white women.
1932 – Co-eds From Vassar, Wellesley
This Pittsburgh Courier article is reporting on the Vassar students that protested the Scottsboro Boys’ death sentences. There is a photograph picturing two Vassar women and two Wellesley women. The caption states that these women went to D.C. to speak with two senators to plea for the overturning of the verdict of this case.
1935 – Vassar Drops Racial Barriers
This article published on December 28,1935 reveals the landmark decision for Vassar to admit Black students. The article cites that President MacCracken felt that Vassar was “ready” to take this step. It also states that he claimed only two Black students applied to Vassar since he had become president and that they were only turned away on “scholastic grounds.” This seems to be a way to deny responsibility for Vassar’s exclusion. MacCracken, instead of owning up to Vassar’s racist past and promising to do better, blamed the lack of diversity on the grounds of merit. It highlights a lack of ownership on Vassar administration’s inequality. Despite Vassar pledging to admit Black students, it was not until 1940 that the first official student of color was admitted to Vassar.
1935 – Vassar Model Senate Discusses Lynching
This article describes that Vassar’s “model senate” – probably the equivalent to mock trial today – used lynching as one of its topics. This highlights what topics were the center of politics in 1935. It also reveals that Vassar was discussing issues relating to race during student activities. Note: This article is difficult to read but is the only online version available.
1936 – Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Address
This article highlights another instance where a Black speaker came to Vassar; in this instance Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, a leading civil rights activist in the 20th century. She brought with her a quintet of singers with the intention of moving the audience to care about the “the entire Black group of America” and not just the small group visiting Vassar.
1937 – Shirley Graham Attends Vassar
This article describes Black stage manager and producer, Shirley Graham, attending Vassar theater summer classes. It states that she is the only Black student or “race student” attending Vassar. Despite Vassar promising to integrate in 1935, two years later there was little progress in diversifying the institution. Shirley Graham was only attending summer courses and was not a full-time student.
1938 – Urban League Planning 21st Anniversary
From the Pittsburgh Courier, this article is describing Dr. Mordecai Johnson, the first African American president of Howard University, and President MacCracken of Vassar meeting to discuss the work done to ensure employment for “the race.” This translate to securing employment for Black people in the United States.
1938 – Vassar Pact Pledges to Aid Minorities
This is an article describing delegates at the Youth Confab Session from around the world pledging to support former colonies in their struggle for independence. These delegates met at Vassar College and the pledge they signed was called the “Vassar Pact.” While Vassar College was not officially apart of this conversation, it is interesting that this meeting took place on campus. Vassar historically was an all-white, elite institution that benefited from colonialism. The campus being used as the spot to fight against colonialism is extremely interesting and shows a small shift in mindset.
1938 – Vassar Profs Aid Probe on NY Negro
This article describes President MacCracken and faculty members of Vassar looking into “problems of the Negro residents of Dutchess county.” It is not clear what these issues are, but it is fascinating that the Vassar community is involved in solving these issues, especially since MacCracken and most likely all of the faculty members, were white.