|
Grand Rapids looked back on a historic first as the term of its first Black city commissioner, Senita Lenear, came to an end on December 31, 2022. Lenear, elected to represent the 3rd Ward, joined the Commission in 2013 and served two terms. When she was elected, only one other woman served on the Commission, Ruth Straayer-Kelly. In a recent interview, Lenear noted that there are signs of change: now in 2023, three women of color, Melinda Ysasi, Lisa Knight, and Kelsey Purdue, are serving on the Commission alongside of Mayor Rosalyn Bliss.
Yet, many Grand Rapids women of color who have run for office have been forgotten or overlooked. One interesting "discovery" (thanks to Julie Tabberer of the Grand Rapids History Center is Grand Rapids native Virginia Glenn's candidacy for several state offices in the early 1950s. Glenn and her husband, civil rights activist William Glenn, were active members of Grand Rapids' Progressive Party and Virginia Glenn ran for both Michigan Secretary of State (1952) and for State Treasurer (1950) on the Progressive ticket. William Glenn's papers, held by the Grand Rapids History Center provide clues to Virginia Glenn's civic contributions, but much more remains to be learned about her. GGRWHC is committed to recognizing the accomplishments of local women and uncovering stories of women, like Glenn, who are largely unknown and to sharing them with the Grand Rapids community.
To learn more about GGRWHCs work on discovering women's electoral history, join us on March 15 at 6:30 p.m., at the St. Cecilia Music Center for a reception followed by our program: The Second Surge: Women Running for Public Office in the 1970's.
| 
