Important Dates Early in 2015 for
Local Women's History Buffs
Early in the New Year when the busyness of the holidays is over, come and indulge yourself in your love of local women's history. The GGRWHC is sponsoring several programs, so save the following dates just for you and perhaps a friend or two.
GGRWHC is a sponsor of the 2015 History Detectives. Marcella Beck tells the story of GR's first female architect, Fannie Boylon.
Saturday, January 17, 2015. An award-winning event returns to the Grand Rapids Public Library--History Detectives. From 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. the GGRWHC sponsors Marcella Beck who is presenting the story of Fannie Boylon: The Legacy of Grand Rapids' First Female Home Designer. During her time, The Grand Rapids Herald referred to Boylon as the "only woman home designer in Grand Rapids." Between 1910 and 1930, she and her husband Fred built around 1,200 houses, all designed by Fannie. Come for a look at Grand Rapids' first female, self-taught architect and the homes she designed. The complete schedule and other information can be found on our web site
GGRWHC 2015 Programs Bridge Black History Month and Women's History Month
Thursday, February 12, 2015. For Black History Month, the GGRWHC is sponsoring the program, The Exciting Early History of African American Women's Clubs in Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. This program is also co-sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Museum and Grand Rapids Historical Society
In 1907 five African American women's groups hosted the convention of the State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs in Grand Rapids. Delegates from all over Michigan were welcomed by the mayor and treated to trolley tours and receptions. Who were these enterprising women representing a minuscule percentage of the city's population? Only now are we piecing together their story from the rich social ferment fostering the emergence of women onto the nation's public stage. Among the host clubs in 1907 was a new group for younger women, the still-continuing Grand Rapids Study Club.
Sunday, February 15, 2015. This year the GGRWHC is sponsoring the first part of a two-part program for the annual Grand Rapids Public Library's Black History Month event, Taste of Soul. The 1:30 p.m. session is entitled Growing up in Auburn Hills. Local community leaders Beverly Grant and Ellen James will reflect on their experiences growing up in the Auburn Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Auburn Hills was developed on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids in the 1960s by black community leaders who persisted in developing the subdivision in spite of segregation, institutional racism, and strong opposition from neighbors and other community leaders.
Grant and James will be joined by Jennifer Metz of Past Perfect, Inc. and Mary Edmond, a retired educator who began teaching in the Grand Rapids Public Schools in the 1960s. They will provide perspectives on historical patterns of housing segregation in Grand Rapids and the obstacles faced by the developers of Auburn Hills.
This segment will also feature a first look at some media content from the Auburn Hills--History of Racial Equity in Grand Rapids from Jeremy Moore, Joel VanKuiken, Kyle Lim, and Denise Evans. These filmmakers represent the Greater Grand Rapids Racial Equity Network, the sponsor of the second part of the program, which begins at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015. GGRWHC annual celebration of Women's History Month. The schedule is: 5 p.m. hors d'oeuvres & wine ticket bar ($5/glass); 5:30 p.m. brief 2014-2015 annual report and election of new board members; 5:45 p.m. program TBA. The event is at the Women's City Club, lower level auditorium, 254 E. Fulton St. It is free and open to the public. Free parking is available on the south side of the building or in the lot on Lafayette Ave.
Annual Membership Drive
During the week of February 1, 2015, check your snail mail or email for our annual membership letter.
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Join us or Update your Membership!
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Not a current member of GGRWHC? Register or renew your membership and help offset the expenses associated with annual research and programs. Your membership helps to set the record straight on the women who've made history here in our community.
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Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Vanderveen Center for the Book at the Grand Rapids Public Library. If you have suggestions for programs, oral histories, or other items, please email us or plan to attend a meeting.
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