Sister Mary Cramer, BVM, Interview with Angela Abbinante, 1998
Item
Sister Mary Cramer, BVM, 1960. Pictured left to right: Kathy Holton, June Barth, and Sister Mary Cramer, BVM. (WLA, Mundelein College Photograph Collection)
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side A
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side B
Interview Audio Tape 2 Side A
Interview Transcript
Title
Sister Mary Cramer, BVM, Interview with Angela Abbinante, 1998
Summary
Sister Mary Cramer, BVM describes the impact of Mundelein College upon her life in an interview with Angela Abbinante. Sister Mary grew up in Chicago and was part of the first class of students at Mundelein. The college had a sense of community early on with various clubs and activities. Sister Mary taught in Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota. She returned to teach at Mundelein in 1953 and served as the Dean of Students until retiring in 1968. Sister Mary finishes the interview by explaining her service and advocacy for the elderly community after leaving Mundelein.
Date Created
1998
Biography
Sister Mary Cramer, BVM was born in 1912 in Chicago, Illinois. She was in the first student group to attend Mundelein College. Sister Mary left Mundelein to join the BVMs and later returned in 1953 as a professor of History, eventually becoming the Dean of Students. She also taught in South Dakota and Iowa; was program specialist for the Iowa Commission of Aging, for ACTION, Washington, D.C.; and personnel director for the BVM congregation. Sister Mary was involved with various community organizations in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. She died in 2006 in Dubuque, Iowa.
Time Log
Sister Mary Cramer, BVM
Interview with Angela Abbinante, December 1, 1998
Chicago, IL
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Grew up in Albany Park, Chicago. Parents from South Bend, Indiana. Went to Immaculata School, run by the BVMs, and later Our Lady of Mercy. Most Cramers migrated to California. Part of first class of Mundelein. One sister. Served as secretary for freshman class. Treasurer of student council. President of Debate Club.
5-10 minutes
Clubs at Mundelein - Glee Club, Orchestra, Commerce Club, Mundelein Cecilians (singers), Home Economics Club, German Club, Chemistry Club. Originally planned on being married with three kids. Wanted to be an interior decorator. Father was a lawyer so she wanted to be a lawyer. Attended a retreat, moved to be a BVM. Once you enter community, you are devout and obedient. Worked at an elementary school. Mundelein gave his name and a pipe organ. BVMs financed the rest. Clarke College. President of college was Sister Justicia Coffey. Coffey Hall named after her. Coffey diverted traffic for the Cardinal’s arrival. Choir director Otto Singenberger. Building was originally to have pillars and a colonial appearance.
10-15 minutes
Coffey wanted an art deco design. A skyscraper college was unique at the time. Not encouraged to go to a gathering spot, the Inaday, under the L tracks where Mundelein and Loyola students interacted. Tea dances on second floor of Mundelein. Debated with Loyola in Debate Club. One year at Mundelein and moved to Dubuque. Training. Postulancy. Theology courses. Silence important.
15-20 minutes
Received a habit after six months. Took on new identity, wanted to be named after St. Francis of Assisi, called Sister Mary Assisium. Dominicans and Mercys trained along same lines. Full training at Dubuque was two and a half years. Temporary vows every year for six years. Received AB from Clarke College. Taught elementary school without college education. Taught second grade at Cathedral Parish in Sioux City, Iowa. Bishop Healy. Trained altar boys. Second mission was Rapid City, South Dakota.
20-25 minutes
Was in South Dakota when Mount Rushmore was carved. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum. After finishing AB, taught at Immaculata back in Chicago. Taught freshmen. Prepared to teach high school. Provinces. Changed to St. Joseph Province. Moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Stayed at St. Joseph Academy in Des Moines for eight years. 1953, changed to Mundelein College, taught history and religion. Appointed Dean of Students.
25-30 minutes
Sister Mary Bernarda was Dean of Students before. Cramer served thirteen years. Planned benefit for college with stars like Burgess Meredith. Concert Lecture Series - Swedish ballet dancers, Peter Nero, Joan Collins. Supervise graduation.
30-35 minutes
Exercises very regimented. College mission given by Cardinal Mundelein to create an urban college for women who couldn’t go otherwise.
Tape 1, Side B
0-5 minutes
1957, Mundelein was largest Catholic women’s college in Illinois. Activism started up after martyrdom of Martin Luther King, Jr. 1968, resigned. Coincided with resignation of Sister Mary Ignatia. Studied at University of San Francisco. Course on history of Africa.
5-10 minutes
Few disciplinary problems at Mundelein. Niece at school. Known as “Keen Dean” and “Mean Dean.” Women’s colleges not unusual - Rosary College in River Forest, one in Milwaukee, St. Xavier, Mercy College. Today women’s colleges are exceptional. Feminist atmosphere on campus. Little interaction between colleges.
10-15 minutes
Admissions - Sister Catherine, Sister Ann Ida Gannon. CTA to campus. Orders were selective before the Second Vatican Council. Removing habit a drastic change.
15-20 minutes
Many changes at once. Sister Catherine and her became experts in personnel department at University of San Francisco; bypassed priests. Women could choose ministries outside of teaching area. Sisters all over the world.
20-25 minutes
Exodus from religious communities. Institute of Pastoral Studies not just for religious. Before, average woman entered after high school to order. Today, whenever women want to. Sisters do work of ordained clergy without privilege of offering mass.
25-30 minutes
She thinks women will be ordained. Eventually, married clergy. Federal agency volunteer program, ACTION, Older American Volunteer Program. American Association of College Women. Morris College. RSVP (Retired Single Volunteer Program).
30-35 minutes
Applied to ACTION, accepted. Moved to Virginia, worked in Washington, D.C.
Tape 2, Side A
0-5 minutes
Washington for three years. Learned about gerontology. 1980, resigned, moved back to Midwest. Finances tight. Office in Yellow House. Sister Mary became president. Elderhostel program - two programs per summer. Offered three classes. Northwestern University concerts.
5-10 minutes
Speakers - Lyman Shepard, connected with Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Oak Park. After affiliation, Loyola not concerned with Elderhostel program. Member of Edgewater Community Council in 1980s. Board member of North Lakeside Cultural Center. Involved in centennial celebration of Edgewater. Edgewater Historical Society. Now part of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly; seven different communities, largest in Chicago.
10-15 minutes
Important for elderly people to contribute. Foster Grandparent Program, helping children. Senior Companions, Chicago Department of Aging. History of BVMs from Ireland, came 1833 to Philadelphia. Importance of involvement of women.
15-20 minutes
Inequities in world. Violence. Supports peace.
Interview with Angela Abbinante, December 1, 1998
Chicago, IL
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Grew up in Albany Park, Chicago. Parents from South Bend, Indiana. Went to Immaculata School, run by the BVMs, and later Our Lady of Mercy. Most Cramers migrated to California. Part of first class of Mundelein. One sister. Served as secretary for freshman class. Treasurer of student council. President of Debate Club.
5-10 minutes
Clubs at Mundelein - Glee Club, Orchestra, Commerce Club, Mundelein Cecilians (singers), Home Economics Club, German Club, Chemistry Club. Originally planned on being married with three kids. Wanted to be an interior decorator. Father was a lawyer so she wanted to be a lawyer. Attended a retreat, moved to be a BVM. Once you enter community, you are devout and obedient. Worked at an elementary school. Mundelein gave his name and a pipe organ. BVMs financed the rest. Clarke College. President of college was Sister Justicia Coffey. Coffey Hall named after her. Coffey diverted traffic for the Cardinal’s arrival. Choir director Otto Singenberger. Building was originally to have pillars and a colonial appearance.
10-15 minutes
Coffey wanted an art deco design. A skyscraper college was unique at the time. Not encouraged to go to a gathering spot, the Inaday, under the L tracks where Mundelein and Loyola students interacted. Tea dances on second floor of Mundelein. Debated with Loyola in Debate Club. One year at Mundelein and moved to Dubuque. Training. Postulancy. Theology courses. Silence important.
15-20 minutes
Received a habit after six months. Took on new identity, wanted to be named after St. Francis of Assisi, called Sister Mary Assisium. Dominicans and Mercys trained along same lines. Full training at Dubuque was two and a half years. Temporary vows every year for six years. Received AB from Clarke College. Taught elementary school without college education. Taught second grade at Cathedral Parish in Sioux City, Iowa. Bishop Healy. Trained altar boys. Second mission was Rapid City, South Dakota.
20-25 minutes
Was in South Dakota when Mount Rushmore was carved. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum. After finishing AB, taught at Immaculata back in Chicago. Taught freshmen. Prepared to teach high school. Provinces. Changed to St. Joseph Province. Moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Stayed at St. Joseph Academy in Des Moines for eight years. 1953, changed to Mundelein College, taught history and religion. Appointed Dean of Students.
25-30 minutes
Sister Mary Bernarda was Dean of Students before. Cramer served thirteen years. Planned benefit for college with stars like Burgess Meredith. Concert Lecture Series - Swedish ballet dancers, Peter Nero, Joan Collins. Supervise graduation.
30-35 minutes
Exercises very regimented. College mission given by Cardinal Mundelein to create an urban college for women who couldn’t go otherwise.
Tape 1, Side B
0-5 minutes
1957, Mundelein was largest Catholic women’s college in Illinois. Activism started up after martyrdom of Martin Luther King, Jr. 1968, resigned. Coincided with resignation of Sister Mary Ignatia. Studied at University of San Francisco. Course on history of Africa.
5-10 minutes
Few disciplinary problems at Mundelein. Niece at school. Known as “Keen Dean” and “Mean Dean.” Women’s colleges not unusual - Rosary College in River Forest, one in Milwaukee, St. Xavier, Mercy College. Today women’s colleges are exceptional. Feminist atmosphere on campus. Little interaction between colleges.
10-15 minutes
Admissions - Sister Catherine, Sister Ann Ida Gannon. CTA to campus. Orders were selective before the Second Vatican Council. Removing habit a drastic change.
15-20 minutes
Many changes at once. Sister Catherine and her became experts in personnel department at University of San Francisco; bypassed priests. Women could choose ministries outside of teaching area. Sisters all over the world.
20-25 minutes
Exodus from religious communities. Institute of Pastoral Studies not just for religious. Before, average woman entered after high school to order. Today, whenever women want to. Sisters do work of ordained clergy without privilege of offering mass.
25-30 minutes
She thinks women will be ordained. Eventually, married clergy. Federal agency volunteer program, ACTION, Older American Volunteer Program. American Association of College Women. Morris College. RSVP (Retired Single Volunteer Program).
30-35 minutes
Applied to ACTION, accepted. Moved to Virginia, worked in Washington, D.C.
Tape 2, Side A
0-5 minutes
Washington for three years. Learned about gerontology. 1980, resigned, moved back to Midwest. Finances tight. Office in Yellow House. Sister Mary became president. Elderhostel program - two programs per summer. Offered three classes. Northwestern University concerts.
5-10 minutes
Speakers - Lyman Shepard, connected with Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Oak Park. After affiliation, Loyola not concerned with Elderhostel program. Member of Edgewater Community Council in 1980s. Board member of North Lakeside Cultural Center. Involved in centennial celebration of Edgewater. Edgewater Historical Society. Now part of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly; seven different communities, largest in Chicago.
10-15 minutes
Important for elderly people to contribute. Foster Grandparent Program, helping children. Senior Companions, Chicago Department of Aging. History of BVMs from Ireland, came 1833 to Philadelphia. Importance of involvement of women.
15-20 minutes
Inequities in world. Violence. Supports peace.
Index
Sister Mary Cramer, BVM 1998 Index
KEY
MC 1998 T1=Mary Cramer 1998 Interview Tape 1
MC 1998 T2=Mary Cramer 1998 Interview Tape 2
INDEX
ACTION, MC 1998 T1 Side B 25-30, MC 1998 T1 Side B 30-35
Albany Park, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
American Association of College Women, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Art Deco, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
Bernarda, Mary, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Bishop Healy School, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Bjorglin, Gutson, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
BVMs, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
California, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
Cathedral Parish school, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Chemistry Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Chicago, Illinois, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Clarke College, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Coffey, Justicia, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Coffey Hall, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Collins, Joan, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Commerce Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Debate Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
Des Moines, Iowa, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
Dominican Sisters, MC 1998 T1 Side A15-20
Dubuque, Iowa, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Edgewater, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Edgewater Community Council, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Edgewater Historical Society, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
“El” (elevated railroad), MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15
Eldershostel, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Feminism, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Foster Grandparent Program, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Gannon, Ann Ida, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15
German Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Gerontology, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
Glee Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
History, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Home Economics Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Ignatia, Mary, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Immaculata High School, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
Institute of Pastoral Studies, MC 1998 T1 Side B 20-25
Ireland, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
King, Jr., Martin Luther, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Loyola Mundelein Affiliation, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Loyola University Chicago, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
Mercy College, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Meredith, Burgess, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Morris College, MC 1998 T1 Side B 25-30
Mount Rushmore, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
Mundelein Cecilians, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Mundelein College, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Mundelein, George, MC 1998 T1 Side A 30-35
Nero, Peter, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
North Lakeside Cultural Center, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Northwestern University, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
Oak, Park, Illinois, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Orchestra, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Our Lady of Mercy School, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
Rapid City, South Dakota, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Retired Single Volunteer Program (RSVP), MC 1998 T1 Side B 25-30
River Forest, Illinois, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Rosary College, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
St. Francis of Assisi, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
St. Joseph Academy, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
St. Joseph Province, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
St. Xavier College, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Shephard, Lyman, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Singenberger, Otto, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Sioux City, Iowa, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Sister Catherine, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side B 15-20
Sisters of Mercy, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Skyscraper, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
South Bend, Indiana, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
Theology, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
University of San Francisco, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side B 15-20
Vatican II, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15
Virginia, MC 1998 T1 Side B 30-35
Washington, D.C., MC 1998 T1 Side B 30-35, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
Yellow House, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
KEY
MC 1998 T1=Mary Cramer 1998 Interview Tape 1
MC 1998 T2=Mary Cramer 1998 Interview Tape 2
INDEX
ACTION, MC 1998 T1 Side B 25-30, MC 1998 T1 Side B 30-35
Albany Park, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
American Association of College Women, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Art Deco, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
Bernarda, Mary, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Bishop Healy School, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Bjorglin, Gutson, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
BVMs, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
California, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
Cathedral Parish school, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Chemistry Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Chicago, Illinois, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Clarke College, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Coffey, Justicia, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Coffey Hall, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Collins, Joan, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Commerce Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Debate Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
Des Moines, Iowa, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
Dominican Sisters, MC 1998 T1 Side A15-20
Dubuque, Iowa, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Edgewater, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Edgewater Community Council, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Edgewater Historical Society, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
“El” (elevated railroad), MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15
Eldershostel, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Feminism, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Foster Grandparent Program, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Gannon, Ann Ida, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15
German Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Gerontology, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
Glee Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
History, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Home Economics Club, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Ignatia, Mary, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Immaculata High School, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
Institute of Pastoral Studies, MC 1998 T1 Side B 20-25
Ireland, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
King, Jr., Martin Luther, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Loyola Mundelein Affiliation, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Loyola University Chicago, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
Mercy College, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Meredith, Burgess, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Morris College, MC 1998 T1 Side B 25-30
Mount Rushmore, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
Mundelein Cecilians, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Mundelein College, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5
Mundelein, George, MC 1998 T1 Side A 30-35
Nero, Peter, MC 1998 T1 Side A 25-30
North Lakeside Cultural Center, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Northwestern University, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
Oak, Park, Illinois, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Orchestra, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Our Lady of Mercy School, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, MC 1998 T2 Side A 10-15
Rapid City, South Dakota, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Retired Single Volunteer Program (RSVP), MC 1998 T1 Side B 25-30
River Forest, Illinois, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
Rosary College, MC 1998 T1 Side B 5-10
St. Francis of Assisi, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
St. Joseph Academy, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
St. Joseph Province, MC 1998 T1 Side A 20-25
St. Xavier College, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Shephard, Lyman, MC 1998 T2 Side A 5-10
Singenberger, Otto, MC 1998 T1 Side A 5-10
Sioux City, Iowa, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Sister Catherine, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15, MC 1998 T1 Side B 15-20
Sisters of Mercy, MC 1998 T1 Side A 15-20
Skyscraper, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
South Bend, Indiana, MC 1998 T1 Side A 0-5
Theology, MC 1998 T1 Side A 10-15
University of San Francisco, MC 1998 T1 Side B 0-5, MC 1998 T1 Side B 15-20
Vatican II, MC 1998 T1 Side B 10-15
Virginia, MC 1998 T1 Side B 30-35
Washington, D.C., MC 1998 T1 Side B 30-35, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
Yellow House, MC 1998 T2 Side A 0-5
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