Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections

Archival Inventory

3 boxes (1.2 linear feet)

Historical Sketch:
The ABC Program (A Better Chance) began at Mount Holyoke College in 1965 with funds from the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, and was designed to improve educational opportunities for talented girls with few resources. It was modeled on a similar program held for boys at Dartmouth College. Originally, it ran for eight weeks during the summer to provide a transition from public to private school. In 1973 it evolved into a year-long program in which girls lived in a Mount Holyoke-donated house, and attended South Hadley High School. It closed its doors in 1982 due to insufficient funding.

Description of Records:
These records include reports (1965-), correspondence (1965-69), student publications (1969), student evaluations (1969), general material (1964-), and photographs (1965-). There are detailed analysis of the Program by instructors and advisors, and information concerning the selection of resident tutors for the Program. Literary booklets produced with student writing and artwork are included, along with brochures, newspaper clippings, press releases, programs, and lists of faculty and students.

Cite as: ABC Program Records, Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, MA

Access Restrictions: Records restricted to use by office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.