Links of Sovereign Gold

One of the most remarkable aspects of Kamala Cornelius' (later Asirvatham) legacy at Chatham is the inspiration she provided during the Endowment and Building Fund campaign of the early 1920s.

Detail of Kamala Cornelius Special Fund Promotional Material

As part of the campaign, all alumnae were contacted by mail and asked to “give or get” $305 for the fund. Responding to the request, Cornelius, who was unable to send a monetary gift, arranged the delivery of a pair of golden bracelets which she hoped could be sold to support the campaign. She wrote, “P.C.W. [Pennsylvania College for Women, now Chatham University] gave me a fine education so I am willing to part with my gold bracelets when P.C.W. needs money.”Her sacrifice touched the alumnae community deeply. In recognition of her gift, a Kamala Cornelius Special Fund was established for in her name and the story of her donation was shared widely.

Illustrated reprint of letter from Kamala Cornelius (later Mrs. E. Asirvatham) to Cora Helen Coolidge, President of PCW (now ChathamU)

In 1923, the Freshman class initiated an effort to provide two years of tuition support for a pupil named Mary Issac who aimed to study at the Christian Missionary School at Madras where Cornelius taught. A brief in the student newspaper reads, “This is the first opportunity that the Freshman have had to be of service[,] and they feel very fortunate to be able to support such a worthy cause.” [7]

From the October 23, 1923 Issue of The Arrow

Letters written by Mary Issac and published in the student newspaper on May 13, 1924 can be viewed online (click here). In 1937, the college chapter of the Y.W.C.A. sponsored an additional scholarship for a student in India at the request of Mrs. E. Asirvatham (nee Cornelius).