Linked
by Laurel - The
basic concept of the Laurel Chain originated
in 1900 but in the form
of wreaths,
rather
than a laurel chain. By 1902
it
became
the familiar chain of laurel. During commencement
week, the seniors, dressed in white and
linked by the chain, carry it up
to
Mary Lyon's
grave, where the chain is solemnly and
slowly wrapped around the fence enclosing
the grave. The
chain
is made out of mountain laurel, chosen
to represent the bay laurel used by the
Romans
in wreaths
and crowns of honor. Originally, the chain
was made of laurel hand picked by freshman,
but when mountain laurel became scarce,
the chain was made out of daisies or ribbon,
and was eventually obtained from a florist
at the expense of the freshman class. In
1932 the Laurel Chain became the crowning
glory of the Alumnae Parade, which it remains
a major part of to this day. In 1970, the
senior class voted to carry signs
protesting the Vietnam war rather than
bear the laurel chain. They donated the
funds that would normally have been spent
on the chain to a summer program for disadvantaged
girls. The laurel chain returned shortly
after and it has continued since that time
to the present. The Laurel Chain is one
of the most recognizable and most beloved
traditions
of commencement
week, as it marks the transition from the
student community of Mount Holyoke to the
life
of a proud alumna.