Save the Date: History Detectives
2025-01-18 09:30 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | 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

Grand Rapids Historical Society Banquet
2026-05-14 17:00 - 20:00

Historic Preservation is Women's Work
2026-05-14 19:00 - 21:00
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. Join Valerie Mervin (Michigan State Capitol Director of Education and History) to learn about their work, legacies, and the tools they’ve left behind for their daughters–us!
