March 5, 2025

 

Join us this month for more women's history . . . .

March 12, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. GGRWHC Annual Meeting and Reception

A Conversation with Julianne Vanden Wyngaard,

facilitated by local historian, Cindy Laug

Refreshments provided


GVSU, L. William Seidman Center, Rm. 1008

(see map below with location and parking)


Meet Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, an accomplished pianist and carillonist who, in 1967, became the first female Black faculty member hired at Grand Valley State College. A standout student at South High in Grand Rapids, she earned a scholarship to the prestigious Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester upon graduation. Vanden Wyngaard’s music and teaching career took a new turn when Cook Carillon was built on the Grand Valley campus in 1994. At the urging of Grand Valley President, Don Lubbers, Vanden Wyngaard agreed to learn to play the carillon and she traveled to the Netherlands over several years to study at the Netherlands Carillon School. As her career blossomed, she created a popular carillon series at Grand Valley and she performed as a carillonist across the country and the world. Retired from Grand Valley, she is still in demand as a performer and recently was the guest artist for the Freedom Concert at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia. View her playing the carillon here.

Julianne Vanden Wyngaard with bell for Cook Carillon, Grand Valley, Allendale.

And, mark your calendar for . . .


March 8th - Internation Women's Day observed.


March 27, 6:30 p.m. 125 Years of the YWCA: Helen Claytor, Leader

and Activist, Julie Tabberer

Grand Rapids Public Library, Ryerson Auditorium

Other news

Congratulations to longtime Women's City Club member Carol Dodge on her book, "The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion." Book sales will benefit the Sweet House Foundation. https://sweethousefoundation.org/the-sweet-house-book/

The Academy of Teaching, Learning & Social Justice at Innovation Central High School in Grand Rapids has been renamed in honor of Hattie Beverly, who was the district's first Black teacher. Beverly began her teaching career in 1899. More on Beverly . . .


Parking for the March 12th reception will be in Grand Valley's Mt. Vernon lot adjoining the L William Seidman Center (SCB). Note that the Mt. Vernon lot entrance is accessible only from Watson Street, because Mt. Vernon has been blocked off immediately south of Fulton St. Red arrow marks lot entrance.

Celebrate year round with the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council. Follow us on Facebook and sign up (www.ggrwhc.org/contact/) for our newsletter, if you haven’t already!

 
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Hats off to the historical women who have shaped West Michigan!
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 in order to receive future updates about programming.

Thank you for your interest in preserving and celebrating the history of the many phenomenal women who've helped to shape West Michigan!  If you aren't already a supporter of the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, consider investing in our work as a volunteer or with an annual donation.  Visit our website for more information and the ability to donate online.