Jean Grossholtz

"Badass", "Legendary", "Larger than Life", "Brilliant", "Life changing", a "Blessing", "Inspiring", "Extraordinary"...these are words that Mount Holyoke College alumnae use today to describe Professor Emerita Jean Grossholtz, who died on February 9, 2021 at the age of 91. She taught at Mount Holyoke College over a span of 4 decades, founded the Women's Studies department and managed to touch, stir, and ignite the lives of countless women in deep and profound ways. As a South East Asian specialist, Jean thought and taught through a global perspective, decolonizing education by asking: "How do you know what you know?". Jean taught us to question everything, to ask ourselves: "who benefits?", and said "Because we assume scarcity, we cannot imagine equality".

She was a founding member of Diverse Women for Diversity, an international group of environmental activists, created on the principles of biodiversity and eco-feminism. Jean, the activist, protested in rallies and marches all over the world, for various causes from women's rights to environmental justice, from labor rights to food security, and propelled her students to do the same. Jean created havoc wherever she went in her fight for justice. Her commitment to non-violent civil disobedience led to a record number of arrests all over the globe.

Jean achieved distinguished academic recognition while staying true to her working class roots. She enlisted in the army where she was awarded a medal for good conduct, only to later protest outside army recruitment centers and fervently participate in anti-war rallies. Jean, the mentor, spoke about dismantling the social construct of "body image", and then at age 65 went on to win the silver medal in body building at the Gay Games. Jean ate salt with popcorn (not the other way around) and did what her rice krispies told her to do, which was to snap, crackle, and pop. Jean taught us that we could solve life's problems through quiet contemplation and introspection while solving jigsaw puzzles. Jean loved to read, to walk her dogs, and was the star pitcher on her softball team "Hot Flashes".

As an out and proud lesbian, Jean opened up her home to countless lesbians who desperately sought chosen families. Jean's partner of 35 years Eileen Elliott predeceased her and she is survived by her brother Dean, his wife Lucy, other members of her biological family, Eileen's family, and by many devoted members of her chosen family. Jean's passion and fire for social justice was contagious and on February 9th 2021, she left behind generations of fueled activists who are following her unfinished dream of smashing the patriarchy, dismantling racism, defeating capitalism, fighting for equality, and caring for the environment. Jean will be remembered for her sense of humor, her generous, giving, and helping spirit that stayed intact till the very end.

A Virtual Memorial is being planned for Sunday March 7th 2021 at 10am EST

You are invited to share memories, photos, recordings and get details of virtual event at

https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/JeanGrossholtz/

Ahearn Funeral Home

(413)587-0044