Prudence Moylan, Interview with Angela Schlater, 2000
Item
Prudence Moylan, 1983. Pictured left to right: Sisters Prudence Moylan, Ann Harrington, Rosemarie Lorentzen, Anne Carr and Betty Viso, pose for am outdoor picture during Mary Festival. (Mundelein College Digital Photograph Collection)
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side A
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side B
Interview Audio Tape 2 Side A
Interview Audio Tape 2 Side B
Interview Transcript
Title
Prudence Moylan, Interview with Angela Schlater, 2000
Summary
Dr. Moylan explains how she grew up in Northwest Indiana, joining the BVMs in 1959. The BVMs first sent her to Mundelein College from 1962-1964, then Guadalupe College in Los Gatos, California from 1964 to 1966 where she received her masters of arts at Stanford University, and became involved in the farmworker struggle with Cesar Chavez. She returned to Mundelein from 1966 to 1969. Moylan completed her doctorate at the University of Illinois. She returned in 1975, continuing to teach at Mundelein and later Loyola University. Moylan believes that the vision of Mundelein carries on through particular institutions on campus.
Date Created
2000
Biography
Prudence Moylan was born in Gary, Indiana in 1939. Dr. Moylan joined the BVM community in 1959, after time at Northwestern University and St Louis University. Dr. Moylan earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Mundelein College, a master’s of arts from Stanford University, and a doctorate from the University from Illinois. Dr. Moylan held a professor position from 1974 until affiliation with Loyola University Chicago in 1991. Currently, Dr. Moylan is a professor emerita of Modern British History at Loyola University Chicago.
Time Log
Prudence Moylan
Interview with Angela Schlater, October 26, 2000
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Grew up in Hobart, Indiana. Born in Gary, Indiana. Father worked for U.S. Steel. Parents from Boston. Lived in a Cape Cod style house till she was eight years old. Worked for Webcore, tape recorder/wire recorder company. Moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois, then Indiana Harbor, Indiana and Hammond, Indiana. Went to St. Joseph’s Grade School and Bishop Noll High School. Had idea to be a nun in elementary school. Idea of being a teacher always a possibility because of her mother.
5-10 minutes
Finished high school in 1957. Went to Northwestern for a year; homesick. School was secular and anti-Catholic. Criticism was that Catholicism was dominated by precepts. Transferred to St. Louis University. Father went to Holy Cross. Sister went to Clarke College.
10-15 minutes
Moylan met some of the sisters at Clarke - Sister Mary Phillipa Coogan. She entered the BVMs in 1959. Recommended by the sister. Certain supplies for being a sister. Terrible fire at Our Lady of Angels in 1958; felt like she needed to replace sisters who died and sense to serve in a place where you are needed. Several steps to be a sister - six months as a postulant, two years as a novice.
15-20 minutes
Training took place at Mt. Carmel in Dubuque. Faculty came from Clarke to teach sisters. Sent directly to Mundelein to the Scholasticate (now Wright Hall) to finish school at Mundelein. Sent January 1962 to Mundelein. Graduated June 1963. BVMs did not associate with lay students.
20-25 minutes
Taught at Mundelein. Made the secretary to the Superior. BVMs split President from Superior. President was Sister Ann Ida Gannon. Superior was Sister Mary Emily Flynn. Moylan was youngest BVM at the time. She was expected to be the secretary, attend graduate school at Loyola, teach a Western Civilization course, and handle mail for college. Did not interact with people; very lonely. Sent to teach high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa for six months. 1964-1966, taught at Guadalupe College, novitiate in Los Gatos, California. Received Masters degree at Stanford University.
25-30 minutes
Exciting to live in California and be in graduate school. Took up reforms of Vatican II - not wearing habits, new understanding of vows, and making decisions. Seen as having bad influence, set apart from novices. Rules about sisters interacting with the secular world; could not be in a room with a man with the door closed. Issue of boundaries.
30-35 minutes
Introduction to social justice through the farmworkers and Cesar Chavez. Doctor invite some of the nuns to come to breakfast meetings.
Tape 1, Side B
0-5 minutes
Doctor offered sisters medical exams. He was very involved with Cesar Chavez. They were looking for people to march to Sacramento. The Superior said she could not march because of the habit and also because of needing a companion. Moylan found a companion and a ride. Walked through Modesto and Stockton. People yelling at them; confused the habits with official support of Catholic Church. Threat against the sisters.
5-10 minutes
Man and daughter who drove them could not stay in convent. Issue of boundaries. Program was in Spanish and Moylan did not know Spanish. She thought she was smart, but putting body on the line was what mattered. Came back to Mundelein after finishing Masters. Taught History. Lived in Northland dorm. Carol Frances Jegen teaching recent theology of Vatican II.
10-15 minutes
Commitment to equality for women. Protests against the Vietnam War. Protested alongside students in Downtown Chicago; police reaction to protest a prelude to the Democratic National Convention protests. Student hit by police, taken to ER. Discussions about authority. Middle class white people confronting the police.
15-20 minutes
Leading a Christian life, living for others, not necessarily a better way. Taught at Mundelein 1966 to 1969. Sisters changed out the habit and lived in apartments and not on campus. She went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her doctorate.
20-25 minutes
1971, received a Fulbright to go to England for British History. Archive in Kent. Stayed at a room in a woman’s house. Went back to Hammond, Indiana when her mother died. Renewal of Fulbright for a second year. Shared a flat with Jacqui Rose, archivist.
25-30 minutes
Scotland more accepting of Americans than England was. Came back to Mundelein in 1974, finished PhD in 1975. Weekend College.
Tape 2, Side A
0-5 minutes
Weekend College came out of necessity as the number of undergraduates coming to a women’s college dropped. Some men attended. Single toilet became the men’s toilet on every floor.
5-10 minutes
Mundelein switched emphasis in 1960s from traditional gender roles to focus on liberal arts, personal fulfillment, and education for its own sake. Weekend College took into account people who were working. Conference on Curriculum eliminated courses and allowed electives for students to take. Mandala, an independent study program.
10-15 minutes
Mundelein never had enough money. Question of having standards that could be met.
15-20 minutes
Risk-taking part of Mundelein. Loyola is hierarchical. Three Mundelein faculty came over to the Loyola History Department. Came with a commitment to women’s history. Loyola University Center for Instructional Design. High standards at Mundelein.
20-25 minutes
Carolyn Farrell and the establishment of the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership carries on the mission of Mundelein, not part of affiliation. Farrell, Gannon, and friend from DeVry Institute created Women and Leadership Archives. Mundelein College was the foundation for the archives and the center was necessary for women’s conference. Moylan left the BVMs in 1980. Affiliation of Mundelein and Loyola came in 1991.
25-30 minutes
Loyola administration did not encourage Mundelein College faculty to maintain their bonds.
Tape 2, Side B
0-5 minutes
Judy Wittner did a report with Carolyn Farrell. Many people angry and critical about affiliation. Salary and resources better at Loyola. No vision at Loyola. Each department is its own world. Men’s sense of community is more functional than relational. Father Piderit improved the campus’s appearance.
5-10 minutes
Now Women’s Studies. Jesuits do not take into account issues of gender justice. Dynamic at Mundelein is somewhat maintained at the Gannon Center.
Interview with Angela Schlater, October 26, 2000
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Grew up in Hobart, Indiana. Born in Gary, Indiana. Father worked for U.S. Steel. Parents from Boston. Lived in a Cape Cod style house till she was eight years old. Worked for Webcore, tape recorder/wire recorder company. Moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois, then Indiana Harbor, Indiana and Hammond, Indiana. Went to St. Joseph’s Grade School and Bishop Noll High School. Had idea to be a nun in elementary school. Idea of being a teacher always a possibility because of her mother.
5-10 minutes
Finished high school in 1957. Went to Northwestern for a year; homesick. School was secular and anti-Catholic. Criticism was that Catholicism was dominated by precepts. Transferred to St. Louis University. Father went to Holy Cross. Sister went to Clarke College.
10-15 minutes
Moylan met some of the sisters at Clarke - Sister Mary Phillipa Coogan. She entered the BVMs in 1959. Recommended by the sister. Certain supplies for being a sister. Terrible fire at Our Lady of Angels in 1958; felt like she needed to replace sisters who died and sense to serve in a place where you are needed. Several steps to be a sister - six months as a postulant, two years as a novice.
15-20 minutes
Training took place at Mt. Carmel in Dubuque. Faculty came from Clarke to teach sisters. Sent directly to Mundelein to the Scholasticate (now Wright Hall) to finish school at Mundelein. Sent January 1962 to Mundelein. Graduated June 1963. BVMs did not associate with lay students.
20-25 minutes
Taught at Mundelein. Made the secretary to the Superior. BVMs split President from Superior. President was Sister Ann Ida Gannon. Superior was Sister Mary Emily Flynn. Moylan was youngest BVM at the time. She was expected to be the secretary, attend graduate school at Loyola, teach a Western Civilization course, and handle mail for college. Did not interact with people; very lonely. Sent to teach high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa for six months. 1964-1966, taught at Guadalupe College, novitiate in Los Gatos, California. Received Masters degree at Stanford University.
25-30 minutes
Exciting to live in California and be in graduate school. Took up reforms of Vatican II - not wearing habits, new understanding of vows, and making decisions. Seen as having bad influence, set apart from novices. Rules about sisters interacting with the secular world; could not be in a room with a man with the door closed. Issue of boundaries.
30-35 minutes
Introduction to social justice through the farmworkers and Cesar Chavez. Doctor invite some of the nuns to come to breakfast meetings.
Tape 1, Side B
0-5 minutes
Doctor offered sisters medical exams. He was very involved with Cesar Chavez. They were looking for people to march to Sacramento. The Superior said she could not march because of the habit and also because of needing a companion. Moylan found a companion and a ride. Walked through Modesto and Stockton. People yelling at them; confused the habits with official support of Catholic Church. Threat against the sisters.
5-10 minutes
Man and daughter who drove them could not stay in convent. Issue of boundaries. Program was in Spanish and Moylan did not know Spanish. She thought she was smart, but putting body on the line was what mattered. Came back to Mundelein after finishing Masters. Taught History. Lived in Northland dorm. Carol Frances Jegen teaching recent theology of Vatican II.
10-15 minutes
Commitment to equality for women. Protests against the Vietnam War. Protested alongside students in Downtown Chicago; police reaction to protest a prelude to the Democratic National Convention protests. Student hit by police, taken to ER. Discussions about authority. Middle class white people confronting the police.
15-20 minutes
Leading a Christian life, living for others, not necessarily a better way. Taught at Mundelein 1966 to 1969. Sisters changed out the habit and lived in apartments and not on campus. She went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her doctorate.
20-25 minutes
1971, received a Fulbright to go to England for British History. Archive in Kent. Stayed at a room in a woman’s house. Went back to Hammond, Indiana when her mother died. Renewal of Fulbright for a second year. Shared a flat with Jacqui Rose, archivist.
25-30 minutes
Scotland more accepting of Americans than England was. Came back to Mundelein in 1974, finished PhD in 1975. Weekend College.
Tape 2, Side A
0-5 minutes
Weekend College came out of necessity as the number of undergraduates coming to a women’s college dropped. Some men attended. Single toilet became the men’s toilet on every floor.
5-10 minutes
Mundelein switched emphasis in 1960s from traditional gender roles to focus on liberal arts, personal fulfillment, and education for its own sake. Weekend College took into account people who were working. Conference on Curriculum eliminated courses and allowed electives for students to take. Mandala, an independent study program.
10-15 minutes
Mundelein never had enough money. Question of having standards that could be met.
15-20 minutes
Risk-taking part of Mundelein. Loyola is hierarchical. Three Mundelein faculty came over to the Loyola History Department. Came with a commitment to women’s history. Loyola University Center for Instructional Design. High standards at Mundelein.
20-25 minutes
Carolyn Farrell and the establishment of the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership carries on the mission of Mundelein, not part of affiliation. Farrell, Gannon, and friend from DeVry Institute created Women and Leadership Archives. Mundelein College was the foundation for the archives and the center was necessary for women’s conference. Moylan left the BVMs in 1980. Affiliation of Mundelein and Loyola came in 1991.
25-30 minutes
Loyola administration did not encourage Mundelein College faculty to maintain their bonds.
Tape 2, Side B
0-5 minutes
Judy Wittner did a report with Carolyn Farrell. Many people angry and critical about affiliation. Salary and resources better at Loyola. No vision at Loyola. Each department is its own world. Men’s sense of community is more functional than relational. Father Piderit improved the campus’s appearance.
5-10 minutes
Now Women’s Studies. Jesuits do not take into account issues of gender justice. Dynamic at Mundelein is somewhat maintained at the Gannon Center.
Index
Prudence Moylan 2000 Index
KEY
PM 2000 T1=Prudence Moylan 2000 Interview Tape 1
PM 2000 T2=Prudence Moylan 2000 Interview Tape 2
INDEX
Arlington Heights, Illinois, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Bishop Noll High School, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Boston, Massachusetts, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
BVMs, PM 2000 T1 Side A 10-15, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Catholic Church, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10, PM 2000 T1 Side B, 0-5
Chavez, Cesar, PM 2000, T1 Side A 30-35, T1 Side B0-5
Chicago, Illinois, PM 2000, T1 Side B 10-15
Clarke College, PM 2000, T1 Side A 5-10, T1 Side A 10-15, T1 Side A 15-20
Conference on Curriculum, PM 2000 T2 Side A 5-10
Coogan, Mary Phillipa, PM 2000 T1 Side A 10-15
Democratic National Convention, 1968, PM 2000 T1 Side B 10-15
DeVry Institute, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
England, PM 2000, T1 Side B 20-25, PM 2000, T1 Side B 25-30
Farrell, Carolyn, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Flynn, Mary Emily, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Fort Dodge, Iowa, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Fulbright Grant, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
Gannon, Ann Ida, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Gannon Center for Women and Leadership, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Gary, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Guadalupe College, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Hammond, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
History, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10, PM 2000 T1 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20
Hobart, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Holy Cross College, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10
Indiana Harbor, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Jegen, Carol Frances, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10
Jesuits, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Kent, England, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
Los Gatos, California, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Loyola University Chicago, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side B 0-5
Loyola University Chicago Center for Instructional Design, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20
Loyola University Chicago History Department, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20
Mandala, PM 2000 T2 Side A 5-10
Modesto, California, PM 2000 T1 Side B 0-5
Mount Carmel, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20
Mundelein College, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10, PM 2000 T1 Side B 15-20, PM 2000 T1 Side B 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side A 10-15, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Northland Dorm, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10
Northwestern University, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10
Our Lady of Angels, PM 2000 T1 Side A 10-15
Piderit, John J., PM 2000 T2 Side B 0-5
Rose, Jacqui, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
Sacramento, California, PM 2000 T1 Side B 0-5
St. Joseph’s Grade School, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
St. Louis University, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10
Scotland, PM 2000 T1 Side B 25-30
Spanish (language), PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10
Stanford University, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Stockton, California, PM 2000 T1 Side B 0-5
U.S. Steel, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
United Farm Workers, PM 2000 T1 Side A 30-35
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PM 2000 T1 Side B 15-20
Vatican II, PM 2000, T1 Side A 25-30, T1 Side B 5-10
Vietnam War, PM 2000 T1 Side B 10-15
Webcore, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Weekend College, PM 2000 T1 Side B 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side A 0-5, PM 2000 T2 Side A 5-10
Wittner, Judith, PM 2000 T2 Side B 0-5
Women and Leadership Archives, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Women’s Studies, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Wright Hall, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20
KEY
PM 2000 T1=Prudence Moylan 2000 Interview Tape 1
PM 2000 T2=Prudence Moylan 2000 Interview Tape 2
INDEX
Arlington Heights, Illinois, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Bishop Noll High School, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Boston, Massachusetts, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
BVMs, PM 2000 T1 Side A 10-15, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Catholic Church, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10, PM 2000 T1 Side B, 0-5
Chavez, Cesar, PM 2000, T1 Side A 30-35, T1 Side B0-5
Chicago, Illinois, PM 2000, T1 Side B 10-15
Clarke College, PM 2000, T1 Side A 5-10, T1 Side A 10-15, T1 Side A 15-20
Conference on Curriculum, PM 2000 T2 Side A 5-10
Coogan, Mary Phillipa, PM 2000 T1 Side A 10-15
Democratic National Convention, 1968, PM 2000 T1 Side B 10-15
DeVry Institute, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
England, PM 2000, T1 Side B 20-25, PM 2000, T1 Side B 25-30
Farrell, Carolyn, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Flynn, Mary Emily, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Fort Dodge, Iowa, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Fulbright Grant, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
Gannon, Ann Ida, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Gannon Center for Women and Leadership, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Gary, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Guadalupe College, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Hammond, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
History, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10, PM 2000 T1 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20
Hobart, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Holy Cross College, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10
Indiana Harbor, Indiana, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Jegen, Carol Frances, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10
Jesuits, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Kent, England, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
Los Gatos, California, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Loyola University Chicago, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side B 0-5
Loyola University Chicago Center for Instructional Design, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20
Loyola University Chicago History Department, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20
Mandala, PM 2000 T2 Side A 5-10
Modesto, California, PM 2000 T1 Side B 0-5
Mount Carmel, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20
Mundelein College, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10, PM 2000 T1 Side B 15-20, PM 2000 T1 Side B 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side A 10-15, PM 2000 T2 Side A 15-20, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25, PM 2000 T2 Side A 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Northland Dorm, PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10
Northwestern University, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10
Our Lady of Angels, PM 2000 T1 Side A 10-15
Piderit, John J., PM 2000 T2 Side B 0-5
Rose, Jacqui, PM 2000 T1 Side B 20-25
Sacramento, California, PM 2000 T1 Side B 0-5
St. Joseph’s Grade School, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
St. Louis University, PM 2000 T1 Side A 5-10
Scotland, PM 2000 T1 Side B 25-30
Spanish (language), PM 2000 T1 Side B 5-10
Stanford University, PM 2000 T1 Side A 20-25
Stockton, California, PM 2000 T1 Side B 0-5
U.S. Steel, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
United Farm Workers, PM 2000 T1 Side A 30-35
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PM 2000 T1 Side B 15-20
Vatican II, PM 2000, T1 Side A 25-30, T1 Side B 5-10
Vietnam War, PM 2000 T1 Side B 10-15
Webcore, PM 2000 T1 Side A 0-5
Weekend College, PM 2000 T1 Side B 25-30, PM 2000 T2 Side A 0-5, PM 2000 T2 Side A 5-10
Wittner, Judith, PM 2000 T2 Side B 0-5
Women and Leadership Archives, PM 2000 T2 Side A 20-25
Women’s Studies, PM 2000 T2 Side B 5-10
Wright Hall, PM 2000 T1 Side A 15-20
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