Rosamund Purdy Bell papers

The Rosamund Purdy Bell Papers span the years 1940-1950, with the bulk dating from 1940-1942 and include correspondence, newspaper articles, a marriage announcement, a film, and photographs. Most of the material in the collection consists of correspondence and newspaper clippings concerning a comment she made about students dating soldiers that was misquoted in newspaper articles, generating a controversy. At a Wellesley College conference on November 11, 1941 focusing on ways that students at women's colleges could best help the national defense effort, she suggested bringing groups of soldiers to the colleges for dances. She was misquoted in many United States newspapers as having said, "We see no reason why girls at Mount Holyoke should go out with soldiers, because they are of `short range' value. The girls are only wasting their time going out with them. They are not good matrimonial risks, so why dance with them they're here today and gone tomorrow." She received many outraged letters in response to her alleged statement. Some correspondents said that her remarks as quoted in the paper lowered the moral of servicemen and it did not make them feel very patriotic. She was also accused of not being a loyal American. Although most of the responses were negative, one soldier agreed with her. He complimented her on having high ideals and he was glad that women like her were so outspoken because it gave him hope of a good marriage and a better country. Most of the other material in these papers relates to the class activities while Bell was at Mount Holyoke, particularly dramatic productions. The Class of 1942 Junior Show in 1940 (in which she played a leading role) is documented by a program, a photograph of her as she appeared in the play and an 8 mm film of the production. The collection also includes other photographs of Bell and of Brigham Hall dormitory at Mount Holyoke.