MHC through the generations

Image of Carla and Brittany Lambert

Carla Richardson Lambert '88 could not have been happier when her daughter, Brittany, told her she wanted to go to Mount Holyoke. Brittany, class of 2016, is now proud to call Mount Holyoke her second home. Here, the two reflect on the impact Mount Holyoke has had on their lives. (Pictured above, Carla, left, and Brittany, right)

Carla Richardson Lambert ’88

I could tell Mount Holyoke was a special place when I first set foot on the campus as a seven-year old girl, walking hand in hand with Reggie Ludwig ’37. Reggie was a dear family friend—and a true inspiration throughout my life—and was taking me on a tour of her alma mater. I knew nothing then of the legacy of Mary Lyon and her vision of academics combined with service, or the countless illustrious alumnae, or even what an all-women’s college was! All I knew was that it was an incredibly beautiful place.

Little did I know, 11 years later I would return as a bright-eyed student, embarking on my own quest toward attending medical school and becoming a doctor. I was raised to be independent and outspoken. I discovered that at Mount Holyoke, these qualities, frowned upon in other settings, were supported and even staunchly encouraged. I encountered a diverse community of women who weren’t afraid to engage in (often heated) debate, question the status quo, and stand up for what was right.

The enduring friendships and relationships forged over those four years have sustained me throughout life’s challenges. Mount Holyoke is where I honed and solidified many of my values and beliefs—values that helped me carry on the legacy of Mary Lyon by working for many years in an underserved area, and later in opening my own medical practice.

Additionally, I am so grateful for the solid educational foundation I received at Mount Holyoke. This foundation has benefited me greatly in my personal life as well as my medical career, empowering me to assume leadership and advisory roles and stand and represent numbers of people with confidence in my intelligence and abilities—a confidence that was instilled and nurtured at Mount Holyoke.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when my teenage daughter announced she too wanted to attend Mount Holyoke. I never knew how much I wanted her to go there until she made that decision! Welcoming her into the MHC sisterhood has been a wonderful, nostalgic experience for me as I have been able to relive some of my fondest memories of my time there. I’m overjoyed that she has found the same supportive environment and amazing friendships that I experienced. I can only hope she continues to take full advantage of her time there, enjoying every minute of her Mount Holyoke experience.

Brittany Lambert ’16

It’s easy to say that Mount Holyoke has had an impact on me because it’s a great institution. With amazing professors, unforgettable classroom experiences, and numerous opportunities to get involved, there is no denying that. But I think that the heart of Mount Holyoke, the place where the real impact is, is found in the students.

Mount Holyoke brings together people from around the world and with different backgrounds, and gives us a place to call home for four years. We each bring our own thoughts and experiences and we listen to each other, we argue with each other, we support each other, and then we call it learning. Mount Holyoke has given me the opportunity to meet people who will be important to me for the rest of my life, and that’s an impact that can’t be measured.

My education at Mount Holyoke has come from my fellow classmates as much as it has from my professors. I believe that all of the things I have learned, inside and outside the classroom, will help me to fight for the rights of those who have no voices, and I know that if I want to make an impact on the world around me, Mount Holyoke is exactly where I need to be.

When you support Mount Holyoke, you enable women like Carla and Brittany to make an impact. Learn more.