Recent additions to this website

01/31/2026

Remarkable Classmates added 1/22/2026 with items submitted by Jerry Morse

Remarkable Non-Classmates created 1/22/2026 with items submitted by Jerry Morse

Material from an 1892 book prepared by Jerry Morse has been converted to an eBook. Click here to view.

An article about Anna Shaughnessy suggested by Jerry Morse was added December 25, 2025.

Jerry Morse continues to contribute historical items:
click here to view

Save the Date – Zoom Reunion

We now have a page you can post your biography and view what others have posted. See the menu item BIOGRAPHIES

Let us know if you want items like this added to our website as they become available by emailing info@classical65.com.

Remarkable Women of Color in Worcester

Research and writing by Kimberly Barros
submitted by Jerry Morse 1/31/2026

In the 1890s only a thousand Blacks lived in Worcester, MA. The small population of African American people made it hard for their community to succeed.

In this paper, Barros highlights the remarkable lives of women who have made significant contributions by challenging gender and racial systems. Understanding their stories is crucial, as we continue to share information to raise awareness. We are able to see and perceive who these women were, why we are standing here today, and how we can continue moving forward for the sake of future generations.

This document helps us to understand what were the sacrifices that women such as Sara Ella Wilson and Jennie Cora Clough had to make, to be seen as equally respected among other women.

Since the beginning of the civil rights movement, women have been fighting to collect signs and speak on the front for Worcester’s history, working to support the rights of people of color, mothers, immigrants, and Native Americans. They established clubs and organizations from Christian, Baptist, and Catholic denominations with the backing of their husbands or through funds collected within their communities.

Even before associations were formed, African American women organized their own groups and started to support families, neighborhoods, and businesses in their community. Women’s suffrage and black rights were of importance to them.

The following are some of the clubs that contribute to the development of Women’s rights.

The YWCA formed in October of 1898. It started with a group of black women with hard work and dedication. They decided to focus their intentions on supporting aged colored men and women who needed a place to live. Their goal was to secure cooperation between all the members, mutual improvement, and the establishment of a Day Nursery and home for needy indigent Women of color.

The Women’s progressive club, in conjunction with the A.M.E. Zion churches were created by women to support and benefit the black members of their community. At this time, black neighborhoods faced more segregation and disenfranchisement because of their race and sex. Because of these factors, they created a service for their community. It became a tradition in which black women’s organizations united themselves for social service.

The NAACP (Home-aged Colored Women) was dedicated to collect funds for African American women that were passing through situations of poverty and economic conflicts at home, partially for indigent women outside the home. Their ways to make money were getting funds from outside of membership as donations, fundraising, and cash. They also planned annual dinners and concerts that attracted different people that could afford to enjoy the night.

These groups were sustained by fundraising committees of black church ladies, organizing, running, and benefiting social causes. Their goals were “to end abuses of power, to supplant corrupt power with reformed versions of such traditional institutions of schools, charities, medical clinics, and to apply scientific principles and efficient management to economic, social and political institutions” Wanting to be taken seriously, they worked and never stopped despite segregation discrimination, Civil War, WW2, the Great Depression, and the struggle for civil rights.

What were the risks that they took and what were the consequences of their actions?

These women, among others, dedicated their time and efforts to combat racial segregation, promote civil rights, and work towards a more inclusive and equal society in Worcester before, during, and beyond the reconstruction era. Their contributions helped shape the city’s history for progress. Their efforts have laid the foundation for the improvement that we continue today and their work should be acknowledged by understanding the struggles, sacrifices, and risks these women faced.

Sara and Jennie worked hard to make a change in society. We recognize their achievements and contributions to building a more inclusive and egalitarian future.

continued as biographies of:

Anna Shaughnessy, Maker of Writers

Jerry Morse suggested that we add this to our website, a 2015 article about Miss Shaughnessy that is posted at:
http://theworcesterjournal.com/2015/04/03/2015324anna-shaughnessy-maker-of-writers/

There were other novelists not mentioned in the article that were influenced by Miss Shaughnessy. Noah Gordon (Noah Mandell’s cousin) had at least 5 novels published. The first was published during our senior year at Classical. If you know of others, please notify benbachrach@gmail.com.

Anna Shaughnessy, Maker of Writers

by Edmund Schofield

Worcester Journal Editor’s Note: As a rule, we don’t publish work by older, established writers, but we make an exception with this piece by the late Edmund Schofield since it tells the story of an English teacher who had the rare ability both to instruct and inspire. Anna Shaugnessy mentored  young writers who went on to great success–Stanley Kunitz, MIlton Meltzer, Charles Olson, and Nicholas Gage. Every young writer should be lucky enough to come across an Anna Shaughnessy.

We learned about this piece through Joan Gage, who featured it in her blog, A Rolling Crone. We are grateful to be able to publish this edited version of the essay in the Journal.

There is a further twist to the tale. Schofield’s original essay described three writers mentored by Miss Shaugnessy, and only at the last minute did he discover that Nicholas Gage, Joan’s husband and an accomplished author whose books include “Eleni,” which was made into a successful movie of the same name, and “A Place For Us,” had also been a student of hers. Gage’s thoughts on his old high school teacher are in a postscript to the essay.

Dedication to Anna C. Shaugnessy from the Classical High School yearbook of 1966.

continued at:

Anna Shaughnessy, Maker of Writers

Classical High – Salitube Music

from Jerry Morse
Every time I watch the University of Oklahoma play football, I wonder where they got the music for their fight song Boomer Sooner.  The music happens to be identical to the music for our much beloved Salitube.  So I looked it up.

“Boomer Sooner” is the fight song for the University of Oklahoma (OU). The lyrics were written in 1905 by Arthur M. Alden, an OU student and son of a local jeweler in Norman. The tune is taken from “Boola Boola“, the fight song of Yale University (which was itself borrowed from an 1898 song called “La Hoola Boola” by Robert Allen (Bob) Cole and Billy Johnson.

While Boola Boola is till much loved at Yale, it is no longer the official fight song.

Jerry

Alan Cooper – RIP

Alan R. Cooper, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and cherished member of both the Worcester and Florida communities, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2025, in Florida, with “Larry Bird” and his family by his side. He was 78 years old.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie; his children, Adam, Lisa (Michael Rankin), Brad (Sara), and Eric; his adored grandchildren, Morgan, Amanda, Harris, and Betsy; and his brother, Gary.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Alan was a pillar of strength and warmth to all who knew him. A proud and devoted family man, he also left a lasting legacy in business and community leadership. In 1975, he joined his father at The Atlas Press and transformed the family business into one of Central Massachusetts’ premier printing and communications companies. His entrepreneurial spirit was matched by a deep commitment to the local business community. He was an active member of the Greater Worcester Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and the Worcester Business Journal.

Alan’s dedication to his community extended far beyond business. A founding parent and later president of the Solomon Schechter Day School, he was also a passionate leader within the Jewish community. He was the past president of B’nai B’rith as well as serving on the boards of B’nai B’rith and the Worcester Jewish Federation and was an engaged member of Congregation Shaarai Torah West and Congregation Beth Israel as well as B’nai Torah Congregation in Florida being noted as one of the Rabbi’s best Talmud participants. His commitment to youth development was evident through his involvement with Junior Achievement, the Junior League, and BBYO.

Even in retirement, Alan remained as spirited and generous as ever. He organized the annual Worcester–Florida reunion, bringing together old friends and familiar faces year after year, and remained deeply committed to causes close to his heart—especially the selection of recipients for the Queen Esther college scholarship.

Alan was known for his big personality, warm heart, and unwavering generosity. Whether offering guidance to young professionals, cheering on his beloved Red Sox, or proudly displaying his sports memorabilia, he brought enthusiasm and joy to every part of his life. He had a special gift for making others feel seen, heard, and valued.

In retirement, Alan found joy in life’s simple pleasures—playing and teaching bridge, boating, walking the beach at sunset, and most of all, spending time with his family. Nothing made him prouder than being a grandfather. Watching his grandchildren perform in school musicals, play in jazz bands, and compete in sports brought him immeasurable happiness.

Alan’s memory will live on in the countless lives he touched, the community he helped build, and the family he loved with all his heart.

Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester. Interment will follow at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

Immediately following the Interment Service the family invites everyone to a Memorial Observance Reception at Congregation Shaarai Torah West, 835 Pleasant Street, Worcester with a Minyan Service at 8:00 PM. Shiva will continue at the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester on Thursday from 3:00 – 9:00 PM with a Minyan Service at 8:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made to the Queen Esther Scholarship Fund through the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, 646 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 (www.jewishcentralmass.org/donate), or Congregation Shaarai Torah West, 835 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602.

Above text from: https://www.milesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/alan-cooper

Alan’s funeral service will be available by Zoom, starting 2:00 PM, Wednesday, July 16, 2026.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86192092483?pwd=hTEzUnh1Vou2kZjvXCRvH1G5wVK5b9.1
A recording will be available; the link will be posted here when known.


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