“The Betty” was the first cultural center to open at Mount Holyoke. The efforts to start a house for Black students at Mount Holyoke began around 1967, when Black students wanted to find a space where they could meet each other, spend time together as a community and have meaningful interactions.
On December 12, 1968, the African-American Society held a sit-in demonstration at Mary Lyon Hall to pressure the administration into implementing a Black Studies department and a cultural center. On December 15, 1968, a Black cultural center was established in Woodbridge Hall on College Street, across from Skinner Hall. However, on January 25, 1969, Woodbridge was burned to the ground. The cause was unknown and a temporary location was used until October 1969.
2 Dunlap Place became the new Black Cultural Center. In 1973, the Black cultural center was named the Martha Rolston Perkins Cultural Center, after the oldest living Black alumna from the class of 1898. In 1980, the Cultural center was renamed the Betty Shabazz Cultural House in honor of Malcolm X’s wife. Dr. Betty El Shabazz spoke at Mount Holyoke during a week devoted to Black culture. The Betty Shabazz center continues to be used by APAU and MHACSA for meetings and events.
