Rolston was the first African American to graduate from the newly reconfigured Mount Holyoke College. The College again did not realize that she was African American when she was admitted. At Mount Holyoke, she was popular among her classmates being president of the Wachusett club (club for students and faculty from Worcester county), and treasurer and secretary of her class. That is not to say that her time at MHC was without racial incidents. A clip from The Mount Holyoke November 1895 stated: “The class of ‘97 entertained the class of ‘98 in the gymnasium. The guests were invited to change their race for the time being, and partake in an old-time cake-walk. The plantation melodies…and all the surroundings made one feel as if she had in truth been “carried back to ole Virginia.” ”
Still, Rolston kept up friendships and remained an active alumna. She attended her 50th reunion and was regalia chairman, making all the corsages herself. In an interview in 1973, she spoke of her years at Mount Holyoke with pride and love.
After graduation, Rolston worked as an executive secretary in New York City from 1900-1927. She also volunteered as Secretary to the Auxiliary United Spanish War Veterans. She married Herbert C. Perkins in 1927.
According to Rolston, “Don’t say Holy-oke ever, will you. It sounds so awful. So many people say it that way. Say Hol yoke – that sounds so much better and besides, we both know there is nothing ‘holy’ about it!”