Words of Wisdom from Otelia Cromwell to Adelaide Cromwell During Her Time At Smith College 1937-1938
Spring 2025
Otelia Cromwell was the first African-American student to graduate from Smith College in 1900. Her niece Adelaide Cromwell followed in her footsteps, beginning her attendance at Smith in 1936.
The following images are of correspondence from Otelia to Adelaide in her sophomore and junior years at Smith. Otelia Cromwell signs off each letter to Adelaide as “Aunt Tee,”
Aunt Tee asks about Smith traditions like Mountain Day and provides Adelaide with guidance on how to pass German. She gives insight into what classes to take, and she corrects Adelaide’s grammar and spelling.
Though, it may seem impossible to relate to the lives of these women from so long ago, there are words of wisdom to uncover that may just help you get through the day. So take a deep breath, get comfortable and let Aunt Tee’s Advice take you on a journey to the past.
The first image is from a letter that Otelia wrote to Adelaide in October 1937. Next to it is the letter fully transcribed. Aunt Tee is wondering if Mountain Day has happened yet and offers helpful advice on how to pass German, even providing a diagram for the orders of words from her days of studying the language. Her advice here is,
The declensions and conjugations you just learn by heart, by heart, by heart….In a few weeks, the drudgery of it will behind you….
Much love, Aunt Tee
Original letter from Otelia to Adelaide, 1937.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
Transcribed letter from Otelia to Adelaide, 1937.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
The next images are of a letter written a week later in October 1937. Otelia wants to know how Mountain Day was and shares thoughts on the design aspects of Adelaide’s new evening gown. Additionally, she brings up Adelaide’s birthday present requests, and chides their expensive nature, stating,
Let your birthday gift stay in the lap of the gods, and then be happy.
Which is a phrase used to say a situation cannot be controlled.
Have you ever wanted something and been told it’s too much to want? What did that moment feel like?
Otelia affirms Adelaide’s choice of Archery as a sport and appreciates the time spent with friends:
So you are drinking in, or as you use to say, “inhaling” the nice things your friends tell you.
Well I am glad, rather than otherwise, that people think well of you. Of course you check and double check with the real Adelaide; then watch your step.
But I too read and inhaled. You see I always had a strong case of Adelaideisis.
Take a deep breath. How do you check in with your real self? What does it look like, sound like, feel like?
Otelia inquires about German and how Adelaide is doing with the subject. Even mentioning the fact that they will spend some time studying at home each morning to prep for the midterm exam. Once again, she encourages Adelaide to write to her other Aunts, wanting them to receive the same in-depth updates “full of your experiences.”
Original letter from Otelia to Adelaide, 1937.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
Transcribed letter from Otelia to Adelaide, 1937.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
The following image is a transcribed letter from Otelia to Adelaide in April of 1938. Otelia expresses support for Adelaide’s choice of Major, which is Sociology. While also emphasizing the importance to take a wide range of courses:
In college – so the wise people advise, one should get all the breath possible, especially through the subjects in which one is not interested.
Otelia mentions Adelaide’s need for “more work in the humanities” highlighting the English department specifically.
“This advise is given you simply because I want my conscience clear.”
Have you ever recieved unsolicited advice? Do remember what it was regarding? Did you take it or ignore it? If you took it, did it help?
Before signing off Otelia requests confirmation that Adelaide recieves the letter which contained money. Otelia expresses dislike for this means of transporting money and wants reassurance when it arrives.
Transcribed letter from Otelia to Adelaide, 1938.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
The final images showcase Otelia’s educator nature as she not only provides a corrections sheet but also edits Adelaide’s original letter with many markings.
Otelia begins her response to Adelaide by first stating that, “despite my scratches, [it] is a good letter”. There’s some discussion regarding the thoughts and feelings of those back home on Adelaide’s dresses.
When Adelaide describes a professor constantly looking at her while teaching Otelia responds with both a marginal note that reads simply, “Zoo(?)” and the following response: “The cage won’t be necessary, though I hope.”
Otelia goes on to talk about seeing the Disney film, “Snow White” calling it “brilliant” and compliementing it as “superb art.” However, she states her opinions about Snow White as “too sophisticated” for her. Even asking Adelaide:
Do you think that the interpretations of the dwarfs and Snow White herself are far away from the pictures of the fairy tale?
Transcribed letter from Otelia to Adelaide, 1938.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
Original letter from Adelaide to Otelia with edits, 1938.
Cromwell Family Papers, Sophia Smith Collection.
Questions to think about:
– How often do you listen to advice from your elders?
– What feelings are you left with after looking over this exhibit?
– What words of wisdom will stay with you from this exhibit?
– What more do you want to know about the Cromwells?
More about the Cromwells
Adelaide Cromwell, Oral History Interview
Adelaide Cromwell, Unveiled Voices, Unvarnished Memories: The Cromwell Family in Slavery and Segregation, 1692-1972, University of Missouri Press, 2007.
Adelaide Cromwell, My Mothering Aunt: Otelia Cromwell, Smith College Class of 1900, Smith College Office of College Relations, 2010.
Bibliography(Annotated)
Adelaide Cromwell Profile BU → Adelaide Cromwell (Hon.’95), Founder of BU’s African American Studies Program, Dies at 99. This profile provides an overarching recap of Adelaide’s work and career. It is useful in gaining context to her larger work and how she impacted higher education communities.
Otelia Cromwell Bio Yale → Otelia Cromwell Biography and Bibliography from Yale provides a general overview of her life and career. The profile also includes listings of the work Otelia published and works that Adelaide wrote on Otelia.
Study Shows Strong Racial Identity Improves Academic Performance of Young Black Women → This study provides context for the importance of these types of projects. Making connections to the Cromwell’s legacy encourages Black students to acknowledge and feel pride in their racial identity.