Sister Judith Therese McNulty, BVM, Interview with Joan Steinbrecher, 1998

Sister Judith Therese McNulty, BVM considers her the impact of Mundelein College upon her life as an alumna of the class of 1951. She grew up in an Irish Catholic family. Sister Judith Therese attended Mundelein because she lived in St. Gertrude’s Parish. Her classmates were some of her best and lasting friends. She enjoyed her classes, as well as her extracurricular activities at Mundelein. The college fostered leadership among the women. Sister Judith Therese concludes the interview by evaluating why single-sex schools have closed, considering finances and increasing comfort between men and women.

1998

Sister Judith Therese McNulty, BVM grew up in an Irish Catholic family. She graduated with the class of 1951 with a bachelor’s of arts in Sociology and Psychology. As a student, she was involved in various student organizations as well as sports. Sister Judith initially worked as a social worker upon graduating, then returned to the religious life in 1952 to become a BVM nun. She taught at several primary and secondary schools, as well as at Mundelein College.

Sister Judith Therese McNulty, BVM
Solo Interview and Interview with Joan Steinbrecher, November 9, 1998
Chicago, IL
Time Log

NOTE: Some lines on the transcript are blank when you can hear the words in the interview.

Side A

0-5 minutes
[First part of interview solo] Graduated in 1951. Major Sociology, minor Psychology. Family was Irish Catholic. Father’s parents born in County Mayo and mother’s grandparents from County Mayo. Father was an architectural engineer. Mother went to Trinity for Chemistry and later received a Master’s in Social Work. Worked at Cradle Adoption Agency in Evanston. Older sister graduated from Mundelein in 1946, majored in Sociology, became a psychiatric social worker, Master’s at St. Louis University. Older brother went to Loyola, worked in sales. Attended Mundelein because she lived in St. Gertrude’s Parish. Most challenging aspects of Mundelein were Sister Mary Liguori of the Sociology Department and Sister Mary Benedict of the Psychology Department. Sister Mary Catherine Siena taught her to appreciate music. Most frustrating aspect of Mundelein was that she did not receive high grades. Father Hagen was very particular about memorization. Relationship with faculty was strictly teacher/student. Excellent lay faculty - Miss Furan in English.
5-10 minutes
Classmates best and lasting friends. In college, Catholic high school rivalry - Immaculata, St. Scholastica, Marywood, and St. Gregory - left. Following graduation, worked for Cook County Department of Welfare. 1952, entered the Sisters of Charity. 1955, sent to St. Agatha’s Grade School. Later in 1955, St. Augustine in Memphis. 1957, sent to Our Lady of Angels Clinton Boarding School for Girls; there for nine years. Mundelein College had a lasting influence. Superb education.
10-15 minutes
Lasting friends. Most Sociology students were to enter social work. Took education for granted while young. [Second part of interview with interviewer Joan Steinbrecher] Close to Mundelein friends throughout the years; beautiful to see their growth.
15-20 minutes
Many of her friends worked in inner city schools. In college, students were concerned about the conditions of society.
20-25 minutes
Active in sports. Best friends were the Cherapins; in it four years. Part of Sodality. Extracurricular activities allowed for the opportunity to meet people outside of classes. Entered in social work in part because of her mother. Liked Psychology a great deal.
25-30 minutes
Wonderful school and teachers. Lasting friends. Few negatives about Mundelein. Students were challenged. No intimidation; leadership encouraged. She finds it interesting that single-sex schools have closed; thinks it is financial. Women no longer intimidated in co-ed situation.

Sister Judith Therese McNulty, BVM 1998 Index

KEY
JTM 1998=Judith Therese McNulty 1998 Interview

INDEX
Brophy, Mary Liguori, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
BVMs, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
Catholic Church, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Cherapins, JTM 1998 Side A 20-25
Class of 1951, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Cook County Department of Welfare, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
County Mayo, Ireland, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Cradle Adoption Agency, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Evanston, Illinois, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Evanston Marywood School, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
Immaculata High School, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
Loyola University Chicago, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Mundelein College, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10, JTM 1998 Side A 10-15, JTM 1998 Side A 25-30
Our Lady of Angels Clinton Boarding School for Girls, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
Phelan, Mary Benedict, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
Psychology, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5, JTM 1998 Side A 20-25
St. Agatha’s Grade School, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
St. Augustine School, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
St. Gertrude’s Parish, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
St. Gregory the Great High School, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
St. Louis University, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5
St. Scholastica Academy, JTM 1998 Side A 5-10
Social Work, JTM 1998 Side A 20-25
Sociology, JTM 1998 Side A 0-5, JTM 1998 Side A 10-15
Sodality, JTM 1998 Side A 20-25

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