Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council

The Second Surge: Women Running for Public Office in the 1970s
2023-03-15 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Detroit) | St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Speaker: Jo Ellyn Clarey
Suddenly in the seventies, Kent County women broke through a barrier that had limited their runs for public office mostly to local school board races. They ran for virtually every position on local, county, and state levels, as well as for U.S. Congress. Now, in 2023, celebrate women’s spectacular showings in 2022 – and those of women both before us and to come!
March 15, 2023 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
St. Cecilia Music Center
24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503
Event is free and open to the public | Wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres served
RSVP using link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woman-who-ran-for-public-office-in-grand-rapids-tickets-502652385817

2023 GGRWHC Annual Meeting
2023-04-13 18:15 - 18:45 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Grand Rapids Public Library, VanderVeen Room
Agenda:

President’s Report – Kathleen VanderVeen
Treasurer’s Report – Julie Tabberer, Vice President and Interim Treasurer
Welcome New Board members: Michele Coffill, Andrea Riley Mukavetz and Jeanessa Smith
Renewal of board terms – none
Highlights from the past year
A sneak peek at programming for 2023-2024

The Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters: Serving People on the Margins of Society
2023-04-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Elizabeth Chamberlain, an adjunct professor of history at Aquinas College, will examine the late twentieth-century activism of the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters; the ways in which communities perceived their social justice activism; and the opposition they sometimes faced because of their activism.
Co-sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Society.
Ryerson Auditorium at the Grand Rapids Public Library
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

Hollyhock Lane 4th of July Parade (2023)
2023-07-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Ottawa Hills neighborhood, Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Ottawa Hills Hollyhock Lane 4th of July Parade
You are invited to join us as we continue the tradition of marching in the Hollyhock Parade.
Meet us at the corner of Calvin and Alexander at 8 AM and join the fun with bands, bicyclists, candy, and placards. To quote a past participant: this event is “oddly exhilarating!”

GR History Detectives
2024-01-20 09:30 - 16:00 | Ryerson Auditorium, Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
The GGRWHC is a proud sponsor of this popular event. One day, six programs, one location. The 15th annual History Detectives program will highlight stories of the people who helped shape West Michigan.
Order lunch via Eventbrite.

Japanese "War Brides": Overcoming the Devastation of World War II and Exclusionary Laws to Create a Strong Community in West Michigan
2024-03-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Jennifer Tompkins of the Grand Rapids Asia-Pacific Foundation will share the story of the often-overlooked Japanese “War Bride” community in West Michigan, and how its members built a support network that helped the next generation of Japanese brides who arrived during the Vietnam War. Through oral histories, family photographs, and historical records, Tompkins will reveal one of West Michigan’s first Asian communities that, until now, has been hidden in plain sight. As the first Japanese brides of US servicemen arrived in West Michigan in the 1950s, they found themselves isolated in a strange land with strange customs and very little support. Tompkins extensive research reveals how the West Michigan “War Brides” overcame these obstacles to create a thriving community that persists to this day.
Co-sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Society & Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council

Annual Reception, April 16
2024-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | L. William Seidman Center, 50 Front St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
Please join the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council for the annual reception:
Tuesday, April 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
L. William Seidman Center, 50 Front St. SW, Grand Rapids
GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Presentation by GGRWHC Board Member Sophia Brewer, followed by appetizers, beer/wine. Watch for details via newsletter, website, social media.

July 4, 2024 Hollyhock Lane Parade
2024-07-04 08:00 - 10:00
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.

Who, What, When and Where? The Search for the Story Behind an Iconic Suffrage Poster
2024-10-05 13:30 - 14:30 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Grand Rapids Public Museum holds a precious and iconic image of the women’s suffrage movement: a poster given to newly registered female voters in Grand Rapids in 1919. The poster, decorated in patriotic colors of red, white, and blue, proclaims, “A woman here registered to vote thereby assuming the responsibility of citizenship.”
Join Ruth Stevens, GGRWHC president and retired Grand Valley professor of Legal Studies, as she delves into the backstory behind the poster. Who created and distributed the poster? Why 1919? Who wrote the note on it? Where was “Pantlind’s Garage”? Learn about the genealogical, archival, and other sleuthing tools used to solve this local mystery and the answers revealed by them.

The Negro Leagues, the Detroit Stars and Minnie Forbes
2024-10-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Kent District Library – Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI, 49509, United States
From 1956 to 1958, Minnie Forbes owned the Negro League Baseball Team the Detroit Stars. Join George Bayard of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives to learn more about the Negro Leagues and their local and national impact and enjoy his conversation with Minnie Forbes about her experiences owning the team.

Grand Rapids Champions Women's Rights: The League of Women Voters, Betty Ford, and the ERA
2024-10-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Dr. Liette Gidlow of Wayne State University explores the development of the League of Women Voters in Grand Rapids and First Lady Betty Ford’s historic membership during the fight for the ERA.

Save the Date: History Detectives
2025-01-18 09:30 - 16:00 | Grand Rapids Public Museum

GGRWHC Annual Meeting and Reception: A Conversation with Julianne Vanden Wyngaard
2025-03-12 17:30 - 19:00 | GVSU, Seidman School of Business, Rm. 1008, 50 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
A conversation with acclaimed carillonist, Jullianne Vanden Wyngaard and Local Historian, Cindy Laug.

125 Years of the YWCA: Helen Claytor, Leader and Activist
2025-03-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Join us as Julie Tabberer, a member of the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council and head of the Grand Rapids History Center, shares how Helen Claytor’s leadership and activism transformed the YWCA from a place where women could have lunch together without being escorted by a man to an organization committed to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls.
Michelle Rabideau, YWCA Board President will talk about the YWCA’s mission today and what they have planned for the future. Refreshments and cake will be provided.

125 años del YWCA
Jueves, 27 de marzo de 2025, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Biblioteca Principal – 111 Library St NE
Les invitamos a acompañarnos para escuchar a Julie Tabberer, miembro del Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council (Consejo de la Historia de la Mujer de Grand Rapids) y directora del Grand Rapids History Center (Centro de Historia de Grand Rapids), mientras comparte cómo el liderazgo de Helen Claytor transformó la YWCA de un sitio donde las mujeres pudieron almorzar sin el acompañamiento de un hombre a una organización dedicada a combatir el racismo y empoderar a las mujeres y las niñas.
El personal del YWCA hablará sobre su misión hoy en día y lo que tienen planificado para el futuro. Habrá pastel, comida y bebidas ligeras.

July 4, 2025 Hollyhock Lane Parade
2025-07-04 08:00 - 10:00
91st 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.

Tracing the Steps: African American Women During the Progressive Era in Grand Rapids
2025-10-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Join Sophia Brewer, an academic librarian at Grand Rapids Community College, as she delves into her research on early African American women’s clubs and the remarkable women who led these organizations right here in Grand Rapids.
Special thanks to the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation for their support of this program.
Únase a Sophia Brewer, bibliotecaria académica en Grand Rapids Community College, mientras explora su investigación sobre los primeros clubes de mujeres afroamericanas y las extraordinarias mujeres que guiaron estas organizaciones aquí mismo en Grand Rapids.
Agradecimiento especial a la Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation por su apoyo a este programa.
Siguiendo los Pasos | Las Mujeres Afroamericanas Durante la Era Progresista en Grand Rapids
jueves, 23 de octubre de 2025, de 6:00 a 8:00 pm
Biblioteca Principal – 111 Library St NE

Tracing the Steps: African American Women During the Progressive Era in Grand Rapids
2025-10-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Join Sophia Brewer, an academic librarian at Grand Rapids Community College, as she delves into her research on early African American women’s clubs and the remarkable women who led these organizations right here in Grand Rapids.
Special thanks to the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation for their support of this program.

Únase a Sophia Brewer, bibliotecaria académica en Grand Rapids Community College, mientras explora su investigación sobre los primeros clubes de mujeres afroamericanas y las extraordinarias mujeres que guiaron estas organizaciones aquí mismo en Grand Rapids.
Agradecimiento especial a la Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation por su apoyo a este programa.

Rosie the Riveter: A Symbol for All American Women
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Presented by Debbie Wake
Rosie the Riveter is the symbol for all the American women who worked in previously male-dominated jobs during World War II. From factories to farms, women stepped up and proved they could do it! Join historian Deb Wake as she explores how the Rosie name evolved, how these women were recruited, and the challenges they faced in both the workplace and society. We’ll also learned about what these amazing women accomplished and what became of these Rosies after the war ended.
Deb will share some of her personal collection of Rosie-related artifacts as well as images related to these wonderful, outstanding women.

Lifting as We Climb: Grand Rapids Study Club and the Legacy of Black Women Cultural Workers
2026-01-12 19:00 - 21:00
Presented by: Asia Horne Morton
Black women’s social clubs were more than places of fellowship–they were engines of education, activism, and cultural leadership. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the club movement spread across the country under the motto Lifting as We Climb, as Black women organized to advance racial justice, literacy, civic engagement, and community self-determination. From book circles to civic campaigns, these clubs laid the groundwork for future generations of community builders, educators, and cultural workers. Together, we’ll trace their legacy and reflect on what it means for Grand Rapids today.

History Detectives: "Give Mother the Vote: Images from the Women's Suffrage Movement"
2026-01-17

Lifting As We Climb: Grand Rapids Study Clubs and the Legacy of Black Women Cultural Workers
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library NE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Presented by Asia Horne-Morton, Grand Rapids Historical Society, and Free Alchemy Studio
Black women’s social clubs were more than places of fellowship—they were engines of education, activism, and cultural leadership. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the club movement spread across the country under the motto “Lifting as We Climb,” as Black women organized to advance racial justice, literacy, civic engagement, and community self-determination.
This talk will explore the history of the Grand Rapids Study Club within the broader movement of Black women’s organizing in America. From book circles to civic campaigns, these clubs laid the groundwork for future generations of community builders, educators, and cultural workers. Together, we’ll trace their legacy and reflect on what it means for Grand Rapids today.

Notorious RBG: Film & Conversation
2026-03-03 17:30 - 19:30 | GVSU, Pew Campus, Loosemore Auditorium, 301 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
Join the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council (GGRWHC) and GVSU partners: Center for Women and Gender Equity, CLAS Flim and Visual Arts, Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, GVSU Women’s Commission, for an engaging evening celebrating the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Location: Loosemore Auditorium, GVSU Pew Campus
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
5:30 PM – Reception with light refreshments
6:00 PM – Screening of RBG (the acclaimed documentary)
After the Film – Panel discussion facilitated by Navid Darvishzadeh, GVSU Professor of Film and Visual Arts
Explore RBG’s groundbreaking contributions to gender equality, law, and culture through film and conversation with local experts.

Panel Discussion - A Place to Turn: The Grand Rapids Women’s Resource Center
2026-03-18 15:30 - 17:00 | GVSU, Pew Campus, Loosemore Auditorium, 301 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
For more than 50 years the Women’s Resource Center has been a support for women seeking purpose and meaningful employment. This panel discussion will feature former staff and clients examining the formative years of the WRC, including some of its early initiatives. This panel is a collaboration between the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council the Women’s Resource Center and the Kutsche Office of Local History at Grand Valley. Register at: Annual Local History Roundtable – Kutsche Office of Local History – Grand Valley State University

Women's Diaries: Unexpected Windows to the Past
2026-03-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Kent District Library – Caledonia Township Branch, 6260 92nd St SE, Caledonia, MI, 49316
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.

GGRWHC Annual Meeting, Reception: Historic Preservation is Women's Work
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 | 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

July 4, 2026 Hollyhock Lane Parade
2026-07-04 08:00 - 10:00
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.
