Happy new year, NorCal alums! We’re now sending a quarterly newsletter, which will include information about the club’s regularly scheduled offerings as well as photos from recent events. We’ll also send occasional email blasts to promote ad hoc and onetime events. Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook to get the latest updates about our events. You can also check out the events calendar on our website at any time. If you have any questions about Club communications and emails, please check our FAQ before reaching out!
Upcoming Event Highlights: Join us for Lunar New Year Watercolor for Adults in Oakland on Feb 1, 2025 4:00 PM PST and the MHC NorCal Club’s Mary Lyon Tea in Alameda on Mar 1, 2025 11:00 AM PST. Register here or scroll down for more info.
Did you miss our “Will the Court Come to Order?” event with Barbara Creed? You can now watch the recording (video starts at 0:50)! We can’t guarantee this link will last forever, so be sure to check it out soon.
Recent Events
May C. ’21, Eleanor C. ’78, Susan T. ’98, Leah H. ’08, and Mary E. ’61 (not pictured) had a great time skating and munching on sweet treats at the Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square.
Bridget L. ’02, Karen H. ’77, Hannah F. ’03, Sandy D. ’63, and Adrianne W. ’21 met at the Asian Art Museum in SF to discuss The Vegetarian by Han Kang! The MHC NorCal Book Club will return to its regularly scheduled virtual meetings in February for A. H. Kim’s Relative Strangers, a “timely spin on Sense and Sensibility about two half-Korean sisters, their ex-hippie mother, multiple messy love affairs and one explosive secret that could ruin everything.” (Source)
Are you interested in leading or otherwise helping organize an event? Check out our website for more information about how to get involved and ways the Club can support you!
Upcoming Events
Lunar New Year Watercolor for Adults
The MHC NorCal Club invites you to usher in the Year of the Wood Snake by honoring your intuition and creativity. Join us to engage your artistic side and experience watercolors in a casual, beginner-friendly environment with fellow alums. Come with an appetite to be present in art-making and be inspired to start an auspicious new lunar year. Adrianne W. ’21 has curated a selection of supplies from Jetpens, a women-owned small business, to help you get started on (or continue) your watercolor journey.
Arrive at the home of Katie W. ’05 in Oakland (address provided upon RSVP) at 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 1. After introductions, we’ll select our supplies and watch a few videos to get acquainted with water brush and watercolor techniques. Then it’s time to paint, using illustrations printed on artist-quality paper from Pepin Artist’s Coloring Book! We will wrap up our masterpieces at 6:00 PM.
Ticket capacity is extremely limited, so register now to secure your spot and supplies. Visit mhcnorcalclub.org/lny25 to learn more and save $5 with an early bird ticket! Select flexible tickets (pay what you can) are also available.
When: Feb 1, 2025 4:00 PM PST
Where: Oakland (RSVP for address)
Contact: Adrianne Wu ’21
MHC Pen Club’s Cookbook Social
Bring one of your favorite cookbooks to talk about over light refreshments at the home of Alyssa Danigelis ’01 in Sunnyvale. We’ll share what we love about the cookbooks, our go-to recipes, and culinary adventures. All ability levels are welcome. Please note that there will be a cat present.
When: Feb 8, 2025 2:00 PM PST
Where: Sunnyvale (RSVP via email for address)
Contact: MHC Club/ Peninsula
MHC NorCal Club’s Mary Lyon Tea
Celebrate Mary Lyon’s Birthday with an Afternoon Tea! Join us at Malaya Tea Room, a woman-owned small business in Alameda, as we celebrate the life and legacy of our founder, a pioneering figure in women’s education. Enjoy a delightful afternoon filled with the following:
- One pot of tea/person. A curated selection of teas: black, green, herbal (non-caffeinated), and Malaysian Pulled Tea
- Assorted finger sandwiches (British & Malaya flavors)
- Scones served with clotted cream and preserves
- Sweet pastries and desserts
This special event honors Mary Lyon, founder of Mount Holyoke College, by gathering in a setting perfect for conversation and reflection. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to toast to her legacy with a cup of tea in hand! The Malaya Tea Room offers a unique high tea experience that combines classic tea traditions with the bold, vibrant flavors of South Asia. The menu features a nice selection of sandwiches, such as curry chicken, cucumber, turkey and fig, and smoked salmon, all paired with an array of sweet pastries. Guests can choose from a diverse range of teas, including black, green, and herbal varieties. On weekends, the experience is elevated with the addition of Malaysian Pulled Tea, adding an extra touch of authenticity to the service.
🗓 When: March 1, 2025, Saturday
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: Malaya Tea Room, 920 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
✨Let’s sip, savor, and celebrate Mary Lyon’s Birthday together!
Cost: $60 (a select number of tickets will be available at half price for alums who would like to attend but find the full cost too high)
Dietary restrictions: Malaya offers vegetarian sandwiches, but doesn’t offer vegan, gluten-free, or dairy free options due to limited kitchen space. Visit malayatearoom.com for more information.
Ticket capacity is limited, so reserve your spot now to enjoy a truly special afternoon! Visit mhcnorcalclub.org/mary25 to learn more and register today.
When: Mar 1, 2025 11:00 AM GMT-12
Where: Malaya Tea Room (RSVP required)
Contact: Pauline Au ’87
Note: If you’d like to meet in a more casual setting, please join the Mount Holyoke Club of the Peninsula for their Mary Lyon Tea in the South Bay. The Pen Club will be meeting on Feb 22, 2025 2:30 PM PST at Boba Bliss, a women-owned business in Mountain View, to enjoy some bubble tea.
Berkeley Playhouse presents: Jesus Christ Superstar
Sydney Jacobs Allen ’18 is cast as Judas! (pictured on the left)
While this is not a club-specific event, we encourage all musical theater enthusiasts to check out this powerhouse rock opera and support a fellow MHC alum. Club President, Katie Wynen ’05, will be attending on March 8, 2025, and you’re welcome to join her at that performance.
Where: Berkeley Playhouse
When: February 21 – March 30, 2025 (Show/Ticket Info)
Contact: Katie Wynen ’05
MHC NorCal Book Club
Join your fellow alums in reading, discussing, and learning about books by authors of color! We meet over Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, and all alums from the NorCal and Peninsula Clubs are welcome. Visit our website for more info about the book club.
When: Feb 26, 2025; Mar 26, 2025; Apr 23, 2025
Where: Zoom (Register for link)
Contact: Hannah Fairbanks ’03
Save the Date
“May Day 1903: Winding the Maypole” via MHC’s Archives and Special Collections.
Pangy Day Admitted Students Social
Our take on the school’s springtime tradition, where we’ll celebrate admitted students and welcome them to the MHC community. (Maypole not included.)
All Northern California and Peninsula alums are invited to celebrate spring and show the newest Green Griffins (class of 2029) the strength and vibrancy of the MHC community. Recent alums are particularly encouraged to attend and share their experiences and advice.
When: late March or early April
Where: San Francisco (RSVP coming soon)
Contact: Adrianne Wu ’21
MHC NorCal Club Annual Meeting
A gathering of alums and students where we recap the past year in NorCal events, membership, and finances; hold board elections; and network with each other. Recent annual meetings have featured alum career panels and MHC-themed trivia.
When: mid-June
Where: San Francisco or East Bay (RSVP coming soon)
Contact: Mount Holyoke Club of Northern California
Useful Links
- View our upcoming events → mhcnorcalclub.org/calendar/
- Connect with us on social media → mhcnorcalclub.org/social/
- Read about the Board and open positions → mhcnorcalclub.org/board/
- Learn more about getting involved → mhcnorcalclub.org/volunteer/
- Find answers to frequently asked questions → mhcnorcalclub.org/faq/
The Club is unfortunately unable to edit our mailing list recipients, so if you’d like to unsubscribe from our emails, you’ll need to update your preferences in the Alum Directory. For your convenience, we have compiled step-by-step instructions. Please check our FAQ for more information about Club communications and emails.