Linda Lee Abel papers

Collection

Identifier: PP-C03

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection of materials acquired during Linda Lee Abel’s undergraduate years at Connecticut College (1965-1969); her time at the Twenty-Fifth Reunion of the Class of 1969 (June 3-5, 1994); and her time at the Thirtieth Reunion of the Class of 1969 (June 4-6, 1999). The collection includes a variety of materials pertaining to Connecticut College’s social and educational environment from 1965-1969. These include photographs, slides, objects and assorted college memorabilia and ephemera (e.g. college ID cards, performance and event pamphlets, programs and tickets, campus maps, various newspaper clippings, letters, report cards, dean’s list recipient cards, college agenda, college diploma, pins, class ring, college flag and Zoology, Bioecology and Histology course work). The collection contains a scrapbook which holds newspaper clippings on coeducation at Connecticut College, an official letter announcing that Connecticut College would become coeducational in September 1969 and other ephemera dealing with coeducation from Connecticut College, Yale, Vassar and Wesleyan. The materials pertaining to the Twenty-Fifth and Thirtieth Reunions of the Class of 1969 consist primarily of color photography of the events and alumni who attended.

Dates

1965-1999

Creator

Abel, Linda Lee (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Linda Lee Abel is a graduate of the Connecticut College Class of 1969. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the college in June of 1969. Before attending Connecticut College, she resided with her family in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, where she attended North Attleboro High. During her undergraduate years at Connecticut College (1965-1969) she majored in Zoology. She achieved high academic status throughout her years at Connecticut College and was the recipient of The E. Frances Botsford Prize in Zoology in May of 1969.

During her time at the college, Linda served as a Library Representative and was also involved with the college radio station WCNI. While Linda attended Connecticut College (Sept. 1965- June 1969) it was a women’s college, hence the college’s former name Connecticut College for Women. In September 1969, Connecticut College became coeducational, a decision by the college President at the time Charles E. Shain. Even though the college instituted this change a semester after Linda graduated, debates on whether or not Connecticut College and other academic institutions should become coeducational were taking place during Linda's undergraduate years. Therefore, coeducation at Connecticut College and other academic institutions, such as Yale, Vassar and Wesleyan are prominent subjects in her scrapbook.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection documents Linda Lee Abel’s undergraduate years at Connecticut College (1965-1969). Materials include a scrapbook, photographs, course work, news paper clippings, college memorabilia and ephemera, and other items. Also in the collection are materials from the class of 1969's 25th and 30th reunions.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into nine series:

Series I. Linda Lee Abel’s Connecticut College Coursework

Series II. Linda Lee Abel’s Personal Photographs and Correspondence

Series III. Photographs of the Connecticut College Campus, 1965-1969

Series IV. Connecticut College Programs, Pamphlets and Miscellaneous Memorabilia

Series V. Connecticut College Honors and Awards Ceremony and Fifty-First Commencement of the Class of 1969 Memorabilia

Series VI. Miscellaneous Photographs and Memorabilia

Series VII. Twenty-Fifth and Thirtieth Reunions of the Class of 1969

Series VIII. Linda Lee Abel’s Personal Artifact’s Pertaining to Her Connecticut College Student Experience

Series IX. Linda Lee Abel’s Scrapbook