As the news broke that Bryn Mawr was not going to be able to resume in-person classes, and social distancing would not allow for any of the traditional end-of-year ceremonies and events, Magda Pecsenye '94 had an idea.
Magda took to social media and in a matter of days thousands of Mawrters had joined the Facebook "Virtual Step Sing" group. On Sunday, March 22, nearly 1,000 of the members (along with some alums on Zoom) joined their voices in song. In the video below, Mari Hadden '91 leads the group in "Bread and Roses" as performed by The Night Owls.
"The traditions were always my favorite part of Bryn Mawr," says Mari. "I know for a lot of people they don’t resonate as much until later, but I always loved them. This made it possible for me to bring them home a little more."
Angel Kaur '07 was among those to take part in the Step Sing, posting afterward: "In this crazy world, about 1,000 Bryn Mawr grads/current students got together tonight through Zoom and Facebook Live to hold an honored tradition of Step Sing—where we drink, sing songs, raise lanterns, scream, laugh, cry, hug, and share love. And we did just that. And for a moment everything was okay and I was home. I don’t know what miracle landed me at Bryn Mawr all those years ago but I am forever grateful. Anassa kata my lovely Mawrters. And another Anass for Magda Pecsenye!"
The Virtual Step Sing group is continuing to accept members and considering future events.
"Step Sing has always been the touchstone that brings Mawrters together during our time on campus and at Reunions, and I'm pleased with how it brought us all together from inside our individual quarantines," says Magda. "I'm so happy everyone was so excited about it and helped make it happen."