Black Women's History

143 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-234-3603

www.ggrwhc.org

February 24, 2012

GGRWHC Board of Directors

Jo Ellyn Clarey,

President

Barbara McGregor,

Vice President

Mary Jane Keeler, Treasurer

Janet Brashler

Gayle Davis

Falinda Geerling

Kyle Irwin

Helen Kinsworthy

Merry Malfroid

Jef McClimans

Jennifer Morrison

Kathy Rent

Mary Seeger

Michael VandenBerg

Pamela VandenBerg

Sarah Wagner

Connect With GGRWHC

Tell us what you think by Email

History Months: February & March

African American History and Women's History months brush up against each other. In March we will offer programming on West Michigan women and agriculture (scroll down), but we will continue our investment in the subject into the future!

MEET TODAY'S BLACK FARMER

Her Name is Leah Penniman

www.blacklandproject.org/todays-black-farmer

Then click on Black/Land Project to learn how founder Mistinguette Smith uses race and gender to study people, land, and policy connections. Last October while Smith was the Twink Frey Social Activist Scholar at the UM's Center for the Education of Women, she interviewed black women in eastern Michigan and began a documentary entitled Black/Land: Women's Voices.

We will be following Smith's work and will hope to host her. In the meantime, please let us know about black women farmers in West Michigan, past and present!

MEET TODAY'S GRAND RAPIDS

STUDY CLUB

And Learn about Its History

The GRSC began in 1901. Today it is the state's oldest continuing literary and study club begun for African American women. Aquoinette L. Blair visited the group in October and has posted video clips of the current group on www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3VjvXV3xns

Visit the GRHC website to learn more: www.grandrapidsstudyclub.org

MEET WEST MICHIGAN WOMEN

Involved in the Politics of Agriculture

Mark Your Calendars for Three Thursdays in March

www.ggrwhc.org

"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

"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

Women's History Month Finale!

A sneak peek at a new book with authors Jaye Beeler & Dianne Carroll Burdick

Tasting and Touring Michigan's Homegrown Food: A Culinary Road Trip

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

5:00 pm 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

And don't forget to renew your membership support of GGRWHC!

GGRWHC Board Meetings

Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Vanderveen Center for the Book at the Grand Rapids Public Library. If you have suggestions for programs, oral histories or other items, please email us at info@ggrwhc.org or plan to attend a meeting.

Share the Newsletter with Your Friends

Forward this newsletter! Friends can sign up to receive it by clicking the button in the left hand margin. Don't assume they are with us--with every technological shift, we miss people.

JOIN US OR UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

Not a current member of GGRWHC? Membership is easy and helps offset the expenses associated with research and programming presented each year. Your membership helps to set the record straight on the women who've made history here in our community.

And, continues to help women make history, every day!

Please take a moment to forward this message to others you know who may be interested in Women's History. If you've received this message as a forward, consider joining our mailing list (click on the button in the left column above!) in order to receive future updates about programming.

Thank you for your interest in preserving and celebrating the history of the many phenomonal women who've helped to shape West Michigan! If you aren't already a member of the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, consider showing your support through annual membership. Visit our web site for more information and the ability to register using Pay Pal online!

Hats off to the historical women who've shaped West Michigan!