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Looking Backward and Forward
Back: Very soon GGRWHC will share a fuller report on our past year's activities as well as events and projects planned for 2012. We'll note for now that the History Detectives event in late January at the Grand Rapids Public Library had standing-room-only audiences for six local history programs. Our program by Diana Barrett opened the day to 224 and, unfortunately, people were turned away. Still, we were able to tutor a broad audience about our specific mission.
Ahead: Scroll down for brief information about GGRWHC's "Three Thursdays" programming on West Michigan Women and the politics of agriculture on the March 8th, 22nd, and 29th.
Then check our online calendar (www.ggrwhc.org/upcomingevents.php) for more information about:
1) Zonta's 90th Anniversary Open House, Feb. 9, 7pm;
2) Janet Sheeres' Dutch Immigrant Women and Their Work in Grand Rapids, 1880-1900, Feb. 16, 1:30pm;
3) "Journeys to Freedom in Michigan" Thursday, February 23, 7pm Loutit Library, Grand Haven Michigan. Celebrating African American History Month.
4)Blandford Nature Center's Open House for Founder Mary Jane Dockeray's 85th Birthday, March 3, 1pm;
5) Ladyfest Grand Rapids, a showcase of women's art, music, and performance, March 3, 4pm.
Three Thursdays In March
GRAND RAPIDS WOMEN & THE POLITICS OF AGRICULTURE
"WWI, Women, and the Rise of Grand Rapids Farmers Markets"
by Jayson Otto, Michigan State University
7:00pm, Thursday, March 8th, 2012
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Free & Open to the Public
Based on his thesis on civic agriculture and the institution of farmers' markets in Grand Rapids prior to 1920, Jayson Otto will tell the story of politicized urban women on city committees who organized the fight for fresh foods in the city.
"Women of the Ridge: Handling the Business and Politics of West Michigan Agriculture"
by Cindy Laug, Grand Valley State University
7:00pm, Thursday, March 22nd, 2012
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Free & Open to the Public
 | | Sharon Steffens |
From the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association, formed in 1928, to Women for the Survival of Agriculture in Michigan, organized in 1972, West Michigan women have overseen the business of marketing fruit and picketing price-gougers. Meet some of the players after Cindy Laug's fascinating presentation!
Women's History Month Finale!
A book launch with authors Jaye Beeler & Dianne Carroll Burdick
Tasting and Touring Michigan's Homegrown Food: A Culinary Road Trip
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
5:00: Hors d'oeuvres & wine ticket bar ($5/glass);
5:30 pm: program
Women's City Club, Lower level auditorium, 254 Fulton Street
Free & Open to the Public
Writer Jaye Beeler and photographer Dianne Carroll Burdick will bring us into the present when we celebrate their new book! Traveling 2000 miles over the course of a year, they met dozens of enterprising women farmers and producers whose stories continue to squash myths that only men are farmers! | 
