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Newsletter Archives Spring 2003 Newsletter LEGACY 2003 a SuccessCONNIE GLASER KEYNOTES AT KICKOFF BREAKFAST By The Rev. Linda H. Hollies Author of Swim With the Dolphins, Connie Glaser was received enthusiastically at the Women's History Month Kickoff Breakfast on February 27. In addition to Swim With the Dolphins, Connie has written When Money Isn't Enough, and her April release was What Queen Esther Knew: Business Advice From a Biblical Sage. Connie Glaser is a best-selling author and one of the country's leading authorities on women in business. She made the Bible story into a "rabbinical midrash", retelling how one woman, Queen Esther, saved her nation with womanly wisdom and the cooking of food. "The way of women continues to be utilized and celebrated." she concluded. As a consultant to some of America's most prestigious corporations, Connie's client list includes Ameritech, AT&T, Time Warner, Xerox, Forbes, National Association of Women Business Owners, and the U.S. Navy. LEGACY 2003 general chairperson, Dr. Jackie Taylor, VP of Davenport University and Breakfast co-chairs, Ms. Norma Brink and The Rev. Linda H. Hol-lies were pleased that over 200 people attended the kick-off event at beautiful Meijer Gardens. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Ms. Eva Aguirre-Cooper, Community Affairs Director for WOOD TV 8. Nokomis Foundation was, once again, a major sponsor for LEGACY 2003. The foundation donated ten $1,000 scholarships to various presentations during Women's History Month (see page 3). All of the events were aimed at marking the history making contributions of women across the generational spans. This year for the first time, six local women were honored as the LEGACY Lights (see below). Each of these women has made significant contributions to the community through their work across cultural venues. These out-standing women allow the light of their lives to shine so that others are inspired, informed and motivated towards a better quality of life. They are available to talk to groups during the year and to share their wisdom and sage counsel. Table decorations were dubbed LEGACY Lights and awarded to one woman at each table. Stringed instrumentalists from Grand Valley State University greeted enthusiastic women from across the region for the breakfast event. Newly elected Secretary of State, Terri Lynn Land and president of The GR Women's History Council, Dr. Mary Seeger welcomed guests and encouraged them to continue the legacy of women working to make history and to keep it re-corded. Six women were honored for their contributions to the community.
Front Row: Sr. Barbara Hansen, Ella Sims; Back Row: Alice Kennedy, Debra Muller, Martha Gonzalez-Cortez, Rosalie Stein Martha Gonzalez-Cortez is a native of the West Michigan migrant farm worker community. She has dedicated the major part of her academic and professional life to the advocacy of struggles that migrant communities face. She is a cultural anthropologist. Sister Barbara Hansen, O.P. has been a Dominican Sister since 1956. She is former Vice-President of Aquinas College and was president of the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters for 12 years. She is currently Outreach Coordinator for Public Access GRTV. Alice Kennedy is owner of Kennedy Management Services. She is also the managing director of Diversity Theatre, presenting workshops for businesses and corporations. Debra Muller is Norton Mounds Project Manager at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. She is a member of Nottawaseppi Huron Band, Potawatomie Turtle Clan. She works to promote understanding of indigenous peo-ple in this area to all communities through culture, education, advocacy and outreach. Ella Sims is the retired director of Minority Affairs at Aquinas College. She is a Trustee at Aquinas College and was named "The Wise Woman" by her peers in The African American Community last December. Rosalie Stein is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids. She is currently Vice-President of Ahavas Israel and in her second term on the East Grand Rapids School Board. She is past president of Hadassah.
Notes from the President Every three years in March, the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council coordinates LEGACY, the community-wide celebration of Women's History Month. From its modest beginnings in 1991, LEG-ACY has grown to be the largest event of its kind, and the GGRWHC was honored for this project by the Historical Society of Michigan. This year's LEGACY, chaired by Dr. Jackie Taylor of Davenport University, continued the tradition, "Building for the Fu-ture, Based on Past Legacies!" Here are some highlights of the month:
Thanks to everyone who participated in LEGACY 2003 events. LEGACY's influence continues in the years between. Women's History Month activities are already being scheduled for 2004!
Mary Seeger
NOKOMIS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS Thank you to Nokomis Foundation, who funded the scholarship program. Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each were awarded to the following programs.
Actors' Theatre - WOMAN PINS The Women's History Council is selling Woman Pins. These unique, one of a kind pins come in all shapes and sizes. Each pin is a scene with one or more women doing various things like working in the garden, reading, visiting. Although the pins are very colorful, they are tastefully created by putting piece upon piece so they are three dimensional. The Women's Resource Center has a supply, if you want to stop by to see them Their new address is 678 Front NW, Suite 180. While there you can view the portraits of 12 outstanding women leaders. Fran Pepper, 234-3908 also has pins or you can call the GGRWHC Office, 234-3603 more information. The pins cost $14.00 each.
ORAL HISTORY By Barbara Robinson When the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council was first formed, Oral History was one of the first items of business. The first interviews and taping were completed in 1988-89. At present there are 43 tapes with transcripts housed in the Grand Rapids Public Library under our Collection #167. There are numerous other tapes about women under other collections at the library for those interested in women's histories. We need interviewers who would be interested in continuing to add to this collection. It is not a difficult job, perhaps the hardest part being to pin down these very busy interviewees and schedule a taping time. The committee has the tape recorders, the tapes, and any forms necessary. A second part is transcription. People with computer skills can hasten the process. Again we have the machines that make it possible to type and listen to the tape. I think that it is very rewarding to talk to these exciting women and learn about their histories and involvement in our community. If you have an interest, please call Barbara Robinson, chairperson, at 949-4986.
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