Students advocate for TGNC inclusion in MHC admissions
By 2012, a Mount Holyoke student group, Femmepowered, was advocating directly for the inclusion of trans women at Mount Holyoke. Femmepowered’s continued activism would then be joined by the work of a new group, Open Gates, focused on advocating for a TGNC-inclusive admissions policy. The advocacy that occurred from 2012-2014 had a historic impact, as the College adopted a TGNC-inclusive admissions policy as announced at Convocation in 2014. In the years since, TGNC people at Mount Holyoke have had a diverse range of experiences, with additional changes needing to be made to ensure TGNC folks are fully welcome at the College. The following offers a window into these developments from 2012-2022.
In 2012, a student organization at MHC, Femmepowered, advocates explicitly for the inclusion of trans women at MHC.
A 2014 zine details issues facing TGNC people who may want to attend Mount Holyoke and shares information about ongoing advocacy started by Femmepowered and Open Gates.
National media coverage highlights Open Gates advocacy before any announcement about policy change at MHC.
TGNC-inclusive policy is announced for MHC admissions
President Lynn Pasquerella’s remarks share a surprise announcement in front of an energetic crowd at Convocation 2014.
The 2014-2015 academic year’s first issue of the Mount Holyoke News features the announcement of a TGNC-inclusive admissions policy on its front page.
Diverse experiences continue 10 years after policy change
In the years since a TGNC-inclusive admissions policy was adopted, articles published in the Mount Holyoke News have reflected a diverse range of experiences, positive and negative, among TGNC students.
