This Is My New Jersey

This week New Jersey lost a favorite daughter, Loretta Jane Szwed; but the world knew her as Loretta Swit.

Born and raised in Passaic, Ms. Swit was an active member of her community. She participated in all the things a typical American girl did growing up. She was a member of the Girl Scouts that met at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church and in high school, was a cheerleader, basketball player, and, of course, participated in many of the theatrical productions at her high school, Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic.

After high school, Ms. Swit attended Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair and graduated in 1957. Upon graduation, she worked at several local clerical jobs before deciding to pursue acting.

Ms. Swit started performing in 1961 and would become a powerhouse actress. She developed one character in particular that would become beloved by MASH fans all over the world.

From “Hot Lips” to “Margaret”

As a Gen-X kid, I grew up watching MASH. I certainly didn’t get all the jokes, but I knew it was a great show. As I got older, I understood the importance of the what they were sharing and a big part of it was the growth of Ms. Swit’s character. “Hot Lips” went from being a one-dimensional sexy major to “Margaret,” a fully-developed character who was an accomplished nurse, proud Regular Army major, and a confident woman.

Most credit the shift in character during the episode “The Nurses,” during season five.

Did you ever show me any kind of friendship? Ask my help with a personal problem? Include me in one of your little bull sessions? Can you imagine what it feels like to walk by this tent and hear you laughing and know… I’m not welcome? Did you ever once ever offer me a lousy cup of coffee? ~Major Margaret Houlihan, MASH

Now, I’ll be honest, I never liked this episode. As their superior officer, she used her higher rank to potentially deny a nurse the opportunity to see her husband. She used her professional position for potential personal gain. It wasn’t right. It reminds me of a similar situation in another favorite of mine, The Paper. However, Ms. Swit’s performance is a masterclass in showing raw emotion. The episode ends with her in the nurses’ tent reminding them their fudge-making is “against regulations.” One of the nurses offers her some along with a “lousy cup of coffee,” to which Margaret accepts. It represents a shift in Margaret’s character to finally let her guard down to those around her. This shift in character continues throughout the remainder of the show.

She became a strong female presence in a show dominated by male main characters. Margaret developed into a complex and nuanced character at a time where characters like her weren’t common.

“Is that so? Well, let me tell you something, soldier. I’m damn proud of these. Nobody gave them to me. I earned them. And I’m just as much a major as any other major. You’ll notice these leaves come in gold, not pink for girls and blue for boys.” ~Major Margaret Houlihan

Even thought MASH finished filming in the early 80s, it remains incredibly popular and Ms. Swit’s portrayal of Margaret is a huge contributing factor. Her character inspired many young girls to become nurses and enlist in the Army. Additionally, she continued to advocate for military members and veterans, which included narrating the movie Never The Same: The Prisoner of War Experience.

So today we say thank you, Ms. Swit, for being such a wonderful actress, but even more, for being a wonderful person. You made your home state proud.