The History

Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

The Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council is a diverse group of educators, scholars, historians, business leaders, and homemakers, organized to preserve and promote the legacy of women's achievements in this community. The Council is coordinated by a volunteer board of directors and council membership is open to all interested persons. Its activities are divided among seven committees: Bibliography, Education, Finance, Membership, Oral History, Public Relations, and Research/Recognition. In addition, it promotes the annual observance of Women's History Month, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and works cooperatively with local, state, and national organizations that share common objectives.

In March, 1987, both House and Senate passed Public Law 101-6 designating March as Women's History Month. The intent of the broad-based bipartisan law was to set a time aside to remember and celebrate the important multicultural contributions made by women throughout the United States.

To increase local awareness of women's heritage, the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council proposed a city-wide celebration of Women's History Month in 1991. More than fifty organizations representing the arts, education, health care, business, labor, religion, and social causes joined together to present exhibits, events, and programs highlighting the multi-faceted contributions women have made in the past and present.

The Education Committee plans and promotes educational events for both the membership and the public at large on issues and topics related to the historical study of women and their organizations. In addition, the committee will provide leadership in the council for the continued observance of Women's History Month in Grand Rapids.

The Oral History Committee identifies, researches, and records women who have made a difference in the history of Grand Rapids. Members of this committee are trained to take oral histories by the Grand Rapids City Historian. Over twenty interviews have been completed to date and are on file at the Michigan and Family History Department of the Grand Rapids Public Library where they are available for public use.

The Bibliography Committee identifies existing resources pertaining to the role of women and their organizations in the Grand Rapids area. These resources include books, pamphlets, personal papers, diaries, photographs and oral interviews. The committee is presently compiling a computer-based bibliography of this information which will be available for public use through local libraries.

The Research & Recognition Committee researches and nominates local women for induction into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in Lansing, Michigan. In 1989, the committee nominated Anna Sutherland Bissell and in 1990, Dorothy Leonard Judd was nominated. Both women were selected and are now honored with a place in the Hall of Fame. Other Grand Rapids Women in the Hall of Fame are: Helen Jackson Claytor, Betty Bloomer Ford, Joan Ludders Wolfe, Drs. Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering, and Roberta Griffiths. The Research & Recognition Committee also identifies women for inclusion in the Frist & Founders booklet published by the Women's Studies Association. The Committee also works with the Public Relations Committee to publicize information about women and women's history, and accepts and files information about women's history.