Mary Williamson McHenry is credited with bringing the study of African American literature to Mount Holyoke. She also helped establish both the African American Studies and American Studies departments.
McHenry attended Mount Holyoke and graduated in 1954, receiving a degree in English. She went on to receive a M.A. in English from Columbia University in 1960. In 1974, she returned to Mount Holyoke College as a professor of African American literature, and taught until 1999, also serving as Associate Dean of Studies.
“I would like the gap between MHC and the outside world to lessen and the strong features of the college as I knew it (curriculum, faculty, faculty-student contact) to be available to more students from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups. I am not sure that the MHC I knew has a role to play in the world of the ‘70s, unless it can adapt.” – 1971 alumnae questionnaire. Mary McHenry Papers.
