July 26, 2025 I www.ggrwhc.org I

Congratulations to Sophia Brewer

Congratulations to GGRWHC Board member Sophia Brewer, recipient of the ACE-Michigan Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award. This award honors Michigan women who have distinguished themselves by providing outstanding leadership to women in their institutions, in their profession and in society at large. Sophia, an Associate Professor and academic librarian at Grand Rapids Community College, has delved deeply into the history of early African-American women in Grand Rapids and has shared her work through presentations for GGRWHC, the public library, and in her essays for the Grand Rapids Times and other media outlets.

Just Published

Kudos to local historian Chris Byron on the publication of her new book, "Perfect Omena Day: Selections from the Summer Diaries of Rebecca L. Richmond, 1907-1920." In the diary excerpts shared in the book, Richmond (1840-1925) describes her cherished summers in Leelanau County. Back at home in Grand Rapids, Richmond led a full life that culminated in her donation to the city of the land that became Richmond Park. "Perfect Omena Day" is available locally at Schuler's and Books & Mortar.

Grand Rapids History Center Supervisor and GGRWHC Board member Julie Tabberer presented on "Inclusive History" at the American Library Association annual conference with colleagues from the Grand Rapids Public Library. Tabberer described how library staff members are addressing underrepresentation in library archival collections through digitization of historical materials. Thanks to their work. a broad cross-section of local history resources is now available as part of GRPL's Digital Collections.