Greater Grand Rapids Womens History Council
  P.O Box 68874, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-8874                     Phone: 616-574-7307
  

  
March 10, 2015

GGRWHC Board of Directors

Falinda Geerling,
 President
Ruth VanStee,
  Secretary
Connie Ingham
  Treasurer
  
Janet Brashler 
Jennifer Bryant 
Jo Ellyn Clarey
Susan Coombes 
Sharon Hanks
Kyle Irwin
Mary Seeger
Ruth Stevens
Jill Straub
  
Connect with GGRWHC:
Find us on Facebook 
  
Tell us what you think. Email us
Join Our Mailing List
Annual Reception
Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council 
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 
Women's City Club

This year's historical topic is straight out of today's news, and we're delighted that GVSU historian Carolyn Shapiro-Shapin, Editor of Mlive/GR Press Julie Hoogland, and Medical Reporter Sue Thoms will join us to celebrate the life work of two 1930s Grand Rapids women scientists!

Carolyn Shapiro-Shapin
                                       
 Julie Hoogland
             
 Sue Thoms
                            
In the 1930s whooping cough killed 6,000 American children annually--until Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering developed one of the first, and best, vaccines against it. With dedicated laboratory help from chemists like Loney Clinton Gordon, they later refined their vaccine and shared it with the world. Historian Shapiro-Shapin will explain the vital importance of the community and state labs in this vaccine's development.
Team meeting in Kendrick's office probably in the early 1940s.

Today there are again startling outbreaks of whooping cough and other deadly childhood diseases. These important stories have been disseminated by reporter Thoms and editor Hoogland. By partnering with historian Shapiro-Shapin, they have contextualized today's news--on the front page!

Join us on March 18th for conversation about how the public has responded to these stories and how to keep this issue and these important women in our minds.

Take a step toward enshrining these remarkable women in the history of our city. If you can, let us know you're coming--  info@ggrwhc or 616-574-7307.

There will be food. Come and invite your friends! Free and open to the public.

New and renewing members will be offered a free glass of wine!

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2015
5 pm: Complimentary hors d'oeuvres & wine ticket bar ($5/glass)
5:30 pm: Brief annual report, followed by celebratory program.

For more about about the event and for links to the Mlive articles,  visit our web site.

Join us or Update your Membership!  
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.
 

GGRWHC Board Meetings
Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday 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.

 

 

 Share the Newsletter with Your Friends
Forward this newsletter! Friends can sign up to receive it by clicking the button in the left hand margin. Don't assume they are with us--with every technological shift, we miss people.

 
Please take a moment to forward this message to others you know who may be interested in Women's History.  If you've received this message as a forward, consider joining our mailing list (click on the button in the left column above!) in order to receive future updates about programming.

Thank you for your interest in preserving and celebrating the history of the many phenomonal women who've helped to shape West Michigan!  If you aren't already a member of the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, consider showing your support through annual membership.  Visit our web site for more information and the ability to register using Pay Pal online!

Hats off to the historical women who've shaped West Michigan!