The Chicago Defender writes about Howard Thurman returning to Vassar as a guest chapel speaker in 1941. He brought with him students from Howard University. The article describes this group as being graciously welcomed. This highlights that relations between the Black community and Vassar were perhaps improving slightly during this time as the Defender paints the Vassar administration in a positive light.
Full Article
Howard Students Guests at Vassar
The Chicago Defender (National edition) (1921-1967);
Dec 20, 1941;
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender
pg. 12
When Dr. Howard Thurman, Dean of Rankin Chapel, Howard University, returned to Vassar College last week for the tenth year as guest chapel speaker, he was able to complete a long dream of having Howard women students exchange campus visits with Vassar women. Vassar College entertained the Howard delegation lavishly for this unprecedented occasion. The Howard students were invited to luncheons and dinners in the several dormitories, attended classes in many departments, joined in the Saturday night campus frolic at the “Vassar Owl,” and with Dr. and Mrs. Thurman were received as guests of honor at the reception given by President and Mrs. MacCracken on Sunday afternoon, preceding the chapel hour. Accompanying the Dean and Mrs. Thurman were, left to right, Mary Crawley, president of the Student Fellowship Council; Selina Edwards of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Thurman, Dr. Thurman, Sybil Jones of Florida; Julia Thompson of New Jersey and Gladys Wade Powell of Massachusetts.
Howard Students Guests at Vassar original article (PDF, 155KB)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.