Fall 2020 Virtual Events

All events this fall will be held virtually over Zoom. For Zoom meeting details, RSVP to cedorais@comcast.net.


Common Read Discussion: The 1619 Project

Saturday, October 24, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

This year’s Common Read is selected essays from the award-winning initiative of the New York Times Magazine, “The 1619 Project”. Our discussion will focus primarily on the lead essay by Nikole Hannah-Jones. If you don’t have online access to the New York Times, the essay is available at no charge here. You can read more about the Common Read selection here.


Workshop: Poetry as Memoir

Thursday, November 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Has the pandemic made you reflect more on your life, past and present? Are you interested in writing poetry about your memories? Journalist and poet Bessy Reyna ’70, recently named the Poet Laureate of Bolton, will lead this workshop, which will be limited to 10 participants.

Photos from our Foodshare walk along the Farmington Freedom Trail

It was a beautiful night out for our walk along part of Farmington’s Freedom Trail, in support of the Foodshare Virtual Walk Against Hunger! Pictured are Amy Johnston ’90, Sara Taylor ’95, Ada Schnake ’18, and Madison Leighty ’19. 

Amy Johnston '90, Sara Taylor '95, Ada Schnake '18, and Madison Leighty '19

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Foodshare Walk Against Hunger

To raise awareness and funds for our neighbors struggling with food insecurity in Greater Hartford, the Mount Holyoke Club of Hartford will be participating in the Foodshare Virtual Walk Against Hunger from September 13 – 19.

Every year, the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger raises hundreds of thousands to support Foodshare’s work. Our club has set a goal of raising $1,837 to help bring us one step closer to a hunger-free community. To join the club’s team or make a donation toward our goal, visit the team page for Mount Holyoke Club of Hartford.

You can walk with a group of alums on September 15 or plan and walk your own route at any time during the week of September 13-19.

Walk with the Club’s Team on Farmington’s Freedom Trail

This year, Foodshare’s Walk Against Hunger event is a bit different than usual — rather than having a large crowd of walkers, teams are encouraged to develop their own 1.5 mile walks. Please consider joining the club’s team on Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m. for a walk of a 1.5 mile portion of Farmington’s Freedom Trail. Farmington played a major role in Connecticutʼs Freedom Trail, which provided aid for escaped and freed slaves. On this walk, we’ll view some of the important sites on the Freedom Trail.

To participate, you’ll need to bring a mask, and the walk is limited to six people so that we can maintain appropriate social distancing. Please email Sara Taylor ’95 (sara.a.taylor325@gmail.com), our team captain, if you would like to participate, and she’ll send you additional information (where to park, where we’ll meet, etc.).

Plan Your Own 1.5 Mile Route

If you’re not free to join the club’s team on September 15, you can plan your own 1.5 mile course during the week of September 13-19 and walk with another alum, a family member or friend, or by yourself — whatever works best for you and keeps you and your community safe. All participants are encouraged to share their walk experience on social media by tagging Foodshare and using #FoodshareWalk.

Fall Book Groups on Zoom

You may want to start reading — or rereading — the books the club will be discussing on Zoom this fall:

  • Their Eyes Were Watching God — We’ll meet virtually on Saturday, September 26, to discuss this classic novel of the Harlem Renaissance by Zora Neale Hurston.
  • The 1619 Project (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html) — Later in the fall, we’ll meet again to consider Mount Holyoke’s 2020 Common Read, prose essays from this award-winning initiative of the New York Times. You can read more about the Common Read selection at https://www.mtholyoke.edu/media/2020-aug/1619-project-common-read-2020.

Watch your email for more information on the book discussions.

Virtual events for Summer 2020

Wednesday, July 8, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Thinking About Our Lives Post-COVID: Technology, Work and Education

Discussion facilitated by Laurie Molinari ’86

Have you been musing about where our lives are going post-COVID, particularly with regard to greater and different use of technology in education and work settings? Brainstorm with Laurie, an attorney and mother of two daughters in college.

To receive Zoom meeting information, RSVP to Carolyn Dorais (cedorais@comcast.net) by Monday, July 6.


Tuesday, July 14, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Mount Holyoke Club of Hartford Annual Meeting and Virtual Happy Hour

Following a short business meeting to report on the club’s 2019-20 program year and elect a new board to serve in 2020-21, we’ll socialize informally online. “Drop your books, pick up your glasses….”

To receive Zoom meeting information, RSVP to Carolyn Dorais (cedorais@comcast.net) by Friday, July 10.


Saturday, July 25, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Barbara Pym’s Quartet in Autumn

Book discussion facilitated by Carolyn Dorais ’68

Through the lives of four elderly people, this novel explores aging, retirement, loneliness and death with sympathy and gentle humor. You might want to bring tea and biscuits to our discussion.

To receive Zoom meeting information, RSVP to Carolyn Dorais (cedorais@comcast.net) by Thursday, July 23.