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Vassar, the Alumnae/i Quarterly
Winter 2001 Volume 98 Issue 1

Passing as White: Anita Hemmings 1897

When Anita Florence Hemmings applied to Vassar in 1893, there was nothing in her records to indicate that she would be any different from the 103 other girls who were entering the class of 1897. But by August 1897, the world as well as the college had discovered her secret: Anita Hemmings was Vassar’s first black graduate — more than 40 years before the college opened its doors to African Americans.
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The Social Health of the Nation

Imagine you are a baseball fan. Now consider what it would be like if the only information you had on your favorite team was two to three years old, that in the year 2001, you were looking at 1998-99 statistics. You would be getting data on many players who had already left the team, your team might now have a different manager, and the newer players would not even show up.

Waterlust and the Watson Fellowship

Imagine receiving funds to spend your post-graduate year studying fly-fishing in Latin America, lunar festivals in Southeast Asia, or fiddling traditions in Europe — an entire year to travel anywhere (outside the United States) investigating the evolution of snowboarding, mysteries of the tango, modern piercing culture, diversity of tropical frogs, or the emergence of women taxi drivers.

Food for Thought

It’s almost impossible to talk with Darra Goldstein ’73 without salivating. She has a knack for spouting out mouth-watering descriptions of even the simplest foods: her Russian grandmother’s rugalach, her first thick slathering of freshly churned butter after growing up in a margarine household, a recipe for "the most amazing cheesecake I had ever tasted" scribbled on the back of an envelope by a casual acquaintance at a party (she still has the envelope; the acquaintance is now her husband).

September 11: Vassar Reacts

On September 11th, the contents of Vassar were close to complete. However, we have included this special section to share with alumnae/i how some members of the Vassar community reacted to the tragedies in New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. In order to communicate more thoughts and comments, AAVC also has created a special September 11th Memorial on the AAVC Website.
  • Home
  • Contents
      • Passing as White
        When Anita Florence Hemmings applied to Vassar in 1893, there was nothing in her records to indicate that she would be any different from the 103 other girls who were entering the class of 1897. But by August 1897, the world as well as the college had discovered her secret: Anita Hemmings was Vassar’s first black graduate — more than 40 years before the college opened its doors to African Americans.
      • The Social Health of the Nation
        Imagine you are a baseball fan. Now consider what it would be like if the only information you had on your favorite team was two to three years old, that in the year 2001, you were looking at 1998-99 statistics. You would be getting data on many players who had already left the team, your team might now have a different manager, and the newer players would not even show up.
      • Watson Fellowship
        Imagine receiving funds to spend your post-graduate year studying fly-fishing in Latin America, lunar festivals in Southeast Asia, or fiddling traditions in Europe — an entire year to travel anywhere (outside the United States) investigating the evolution of snowboarding, mysteries of the tango, modern piercing culture, diversity of tropical frogs, or the emergence of women taxi drivers.
      • Food for Thought
        It’s almost impossible to talk with Darra Goldstein ’73 without salivating. She has a knack for spouting out mouth-watering descriptions of even the simplest foods: her Russian grandmother’s rugalach, her first thick slathering of freshly churned butter after growing up in a margarine household, a recipe for "the most amazing cheesecake I had ever tasted" scribbled on the back of an envelope by a casual acquaintance at a party (she still has the envelope; the acquaintance is now her husband).
      • September 11
        On September 11th, the contents of Vassar were close to complete. However, we have included this special section to share with alumnae/i how some members of the Vassar community reacted to the tragedies in New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. In order to communicate more thoughts and comments, AAVC also has created a special September 11th Memorial on the AAVC Website.

        • First Words

        • Letters

        • Vassar Today

          • Emerging Field of Study
          • Vassar's Hot
          • What's on Your Nightstand
          • Painting Poughkeepsie

        • Beyond Vassar

          • Up to the Challenge
          • The Ethan Zone
          • Books Noted
          • About Books

        • Vassar Yesterday

        • Connecting

          • Career Networking Events
          • Vassar Athletics on the Road
          • Distinguished Achievement
          • Alumnae House Manager Wanted
          • VRDT 20th Anniversary Gala

        • Class Notes & Profiles

          • Vassar... The Cat?
          • Chill Out
          • Our Cider House Rules
          • A Rosey Hue

        • The Last Page

        • Online Additions

          • A Great Teacher - A Tribute
          • Letter to President Bush
          • Nuns in Mongolia
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