This website tells the story of Jewish Life at Bryn Mawr College from 1938 to 1958 through excerpts from oral histories of eight Jewish Alumnae. They shed new light on the experiences of Jewish Marwtyrs in the period during and after WWII. They expose Bryn Mawr’s subtle antisemitism and rampant classism with details that have not been previously fully documented and understood. However, they also reveal the positive impact Bryn Mawr has had on some of the alumnae affected by these very same issues. These oral histories show the complexity of Bryn Mawr. They show how far we have come and also how little things have changed. Bryn Mawr continues to become more diverse and inclusive; however, many of the stories of discrimination still ring true for students today.

To explore Jewish Life at Bryn Mawr in the 1940s and 1950s, pick one of the starting points from the table of  contents below and then explore the quotes thematically, by person, or however you want. Each quote links to others on the same theme and the woman who said it, so there are countless ways you can make connections.  

 







These Oral Histories were conducted by Caitlin Haskett (another Jewish Bryn Mawr student, class of 2020) as a Pensby Center Summer Research Fellow in 2019. The full Oral Histories can be found in the Bryn Mawr College Archive located in Canaday Library.