Eleanor Bird Light papers

The Eleanor Bird Light Papers consist of correspondence, a scrapbook, and a photograph. This material chiefly concern her years as a student at Mount Holyoke College, 1965-1969, particularly her junior year abroad at the Womens Christian College (W.C.C.) in Madras, India in 1967-1968. While abroad in India, Light wrote to her parents at least once a week. Her letters describe the extreme poverty she encountered in India as well as the intense heat that was immediately apparent upon her arrival in Bombay. Other topics discussed include the W.C.C. curriculum, Indian food, her stay in an Indian hospital because of a gastro-intestinal illness, and her African-American friend, Jackie, whom Light felt had a particularly difficult time being accepted by the Indian students. She also describes her travel experiences while in India, including her explorations to Hindu temples and her stays in Indian households. Her travels took her to Hyderabad, Kerala, Benares, Bangalore, Mysore, New and Old Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and the Tagore Community. Her scrapbook consists primarily of color snapshots of the W.C.C., including buildings and students. There are also photographs of Kancheevaram, the City of Temples and Silk Mills, and the Cooum River. The photograph is her Mount Holyoke College senior class portrait from 1969.