Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council

GGRWHC Annual Meeting, Reception: Historic Preservation is Women's Work
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | GVSU, Seidman School of Business, Rm. 1008, 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
Presented by Valerie Marvin
For more than 150 years, Michigan women have proudly preserved state and local history in libraries, museums, community centers, clubs, and public buildings. They’ve suffered horrific defeats – like the loss of old Grand Rapids City Hall – and won magnificent victories, including the preservation of Michigan’s Capitol. Valerie Marvin, Michigan State Capitol Director of Education and History) shares the work the female preservationists, their legacies, and the tools they’ve left behind for their daughters.
Join us for our Reception and Annual meeting,(this year in May) as we partner with the ﻿Grand Rapids Historical Society to welcome Valerie Marvin, Michigan State Capitol Director of History and Education.
To help us plan for food and beverages, please register in advance here
Agenda:
5:30–6:30: Reception
6:30–6:50: Annual meeting and election of new board members.
7:00–8:00: Keynote address
Pew Campus Parking Map
Free parking available in the Mt. Vernon lot at the Seidman School of Business (Lot 17)
Take a ticket when you enter and bring it in for validation.﻿
Mary Stiles Kimmell (pictured protesting the demolition of old city hall) was well known in Grand Rapids for her local activism in the late 1960s.

Women's Diaries: Unexpected Windows to the Past
2026-05-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Kent District Library – Alpine Township Branch, 5255 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI, 49321
Learn about the role of women’s diaries and scrapbooks as important sources of women’s history and consider how your family records might contribute to the history of Grand Rapids-area women. Led by local researcher and writer Christine Byron, this program draws on Byron’s book Perfect Omena Day!, which provides a vivid view of summer life in early 20th century Leelanau County through diary selections from Rebecca L. Richmond of Grand Rapids.

July 4, 2026 Hollyhock Lane Parade
2026-07-04 08:00 - 10:00 | MI
92nd Annual Ottawa Hills Hollyhock Lane July 4th Parade
You are invited to join the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council as we continue the tradition of marching in the Hollyhock Parade, the oldest continuous parade in Michigan.
Meet us at the corner of Calvin and Alexander at 8 a.m. and join the fun with bands, bicyclists, candy and placards.
