Martha Cook’s Residence Hall values and upholds many traditions, the most famous being Friday afternoon teas. Every Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. residents and their escorted guests gather in the famous Gold Room to enjoy an assortment of food and tea of the day. Her Campus recently had the opportunity to interview Sadie Cohen, Martha Cook’s newly elected Tea Chair. Sadie is a Freshman in LSA. She is undeclared with a plan to major in Elementary Education with a concentration in Language Arts. She is currently minoring in Creative Writing, with a concentration in poetry.
Her Campus: What are your responsibilities and role as Martha Cook’s Tea Chair? What challenges and benefits do you face?
Sadie Cohen: As Tea Chair I create and edit the Tea Budget and Menu for approximately twelve teas a semester. I plan the food and themes and make sure Martha Cook’s dining staff is in the loop – they’re so great. Each Friday I come downstairs to the dining hall and set up with the help of the lovely Service Chair Kirsten Smith and the residents who have Tea Service that afternoon. We prep food and lay linens, transforming the Gold Room into something The Queen herself would marvel at. In all honesty, it’s such an old and valued tradition that past Tea Chairs have constructed an incredibly efficient task list that it’s my job to now execute. We’re a well-oiled machine. In a way, that’s one of the biggest challenges and biggest benefits of the position. It’s pretty hard to think outside of the box and make your mark when the box is a little under 100 years old. However, there’s nothing quite like feeling a part of something bigger than you; and this tradition certainly is bigger. When you have a tradition that spans generations, it’s a challenge to make sure your own changes are welcomed and supported by everybody. Luckily all the girls in the building are vocal in telling me what they want to stay and what new aspects they’d like to see on Friday afternoons. This is wonderful because it helps me keep everyone happy while slowly making changes that allow me to make my mark on this fantastic tradition.
HC: Why did you decide to run as Martha Cook’s newest Tea Chair? How has your experience been so far?
SC: As a Freshman, I figured I didn’t quite have enough experience (or seniority) in the building to run for such an important position, even though I wanted to – so I didn’t. I was nominated by someone (I still don’t know who) and their nomination gave me enough of a push, and a confidence boost, to accept it! My experience so far has been beyond amazing. The previous Tea Chair and current President, Jenni Jasperse, has been an incredibly “Tea Yoda” and taught me everything I need to know. She still comes in the Gold Room on Fridays and gives me a wink of approval as her perfectly pressed dress swooshes away. This building is just an incredible community of women who I know would jump right in to help me fix whatever went wrong in the event that I make a mistake! My experience has been more than I thought it would be.
HC: What else are you involved in on campus?
SC: I am involved with Sigma Alpha Omega (a Christian sorority on campus), New Life Church, and Student Ambassadors.
HC: What has been your favorite tea theme this year chosen by the old Tea Chair? What tea theme are you looking forward to?
SC: Martha Cook’s biggest tea of first semester tends to be our Holiday Tea. I’m such a softie when it comes to Christmas (ask my roommate – we had our Christmas tree up in early November and Christmas music was banned until after Thanksgiving Break). I loved the music playing and the way people floated around, cookies in hand, enjoying the first snow of the season and a cup of hot cocoa. Maybe I was a little blinded by the season, but I don’t think so. Jenni did a fantastic job with the theme and the music. We also had musical guests singing Christmas carols which made it even more magical.
I haven’t quite planned all the tea themes for next year, but so far I’m most excited about a possible “The Great Gatsby” theme. It’s my favorite book and I secretly (or, not-so-secretly) wish I lived in the 2013 Baz Luhrmann adaptation. Plus, anything with Leo DiCaprio is a good idea in my opinion.
HC: Why do you believe someone should attend a Friday afternoon Tea?
SC: As Tea Chair I get a binder full of “official Tea Chair information” and menus and technical stuff gifted to me. However, and more importantly, that binder holds letters passed down from generations of Tea Chairs. They all detail tricks and tips, stories and sharings from their time as Chair. This, to me, is what makes Tea worth coming to. It’s valued by so many women (and men) it’s practically in the fabric of Michigan’s history. You can’t pass up the opportunity to take part in it while you’re here!
To learn more about Sadie Cohen and Martha Cook traditions you can visit http://cookies.studentorgs.umich.edu/
Photos Courtesy of Martha Cook Building website and Sadie Cohen