Letters home, January 1917

In the fourth folder of the Natalie Gookin papers consists mainly of letters written by Bryn Mawr freshman Natalie Gookin to her parents and aunt during the month of January 1917. They are arranged chronologically, according to the date they were written. The first month of 1917 is a busy one for Natalie as she finishes up her first semester exams and continues to raise money for her class endowment fund. Her letters detail the activities of her everyday life and her thoughts on them as pertaining to classes, clubs, friends, and athletics. While previously her crush on senior Helen Harris was one of her favorite obsessions, after she comes home from winter break Natalie starts to become friends with Helen and writes that she is not as silly about it as before. These letters would be of use to anyone studying female relationships, women’s colleges, student life, and academic achievement.

Included in two of her letters are beautiful sketches of a toy tiger she bought to appease her growing desire for a cat. Another highlight of Natalie’s letters is the mention how Helen Harris and several other seniors raise money for the endowment fund by having students vote on professors’ appearance. In addition, it is important to note that the last letter in the folder is one that was written to Natalie by her friend Sandy.