Greater Grand Rapids Womens History Council
  P.O Box 68874, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-8874                     Phone: 616-574-7307

  

  
July 24, 2015

GGRWHC Board of Directors

Mary Seeger,
Jo Ellyn Clarey,
 Co-Presidents
Ruth VanStee,
  Secretary
Connie Ingham
  Treasurer
  
Janet Brashler 
Jennifer Bryant 
Jo Ellyn Clarey
Susan Coombes
Falinda Geerling 
Sharon Hanks
Connie Ingham 
Kyle Irwin
Mary Seeger
Ruth Stevens
Julie Tabberer
Ruth VanStee 
  
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Cartoonists in Grand Rapids Exhibit

Drew Damron, an employee of the library working in the local history department and a cartoonist himself, planned a display of the local cartoonists.  He found their work in the archives, particularly in the Grand Rapids Public Library's Art and Graphics Collection (#224).  Here he found reference to a woman cartoonist, Gertrude Van Houten.  Intrigued, he began an extensive search for the work and life story of this woman.  
 
He found most of her work in the Grand Rapids Press from 1918 into the 1920s and then in the The Chronicle, owned by George Welsh. She became known to Grand Rapids residents only as "Gert."  Later in the 1920s, she worked as an illustrator for advertisements for local retail stores.  
During WWI Gert sent in some cartoons from Washington D.C.
On current issues in 1923, when the City had a plan to use Burton Woods for development.

In 1923 she was approached by a committee working on a memorial to John Ball, a pioneer, politician, explorer, and major figure in Grand Rapids history.  Most of the citizens of this city know the statue, and a few know the sculptor, but hardly anyone knows that Gert designed it.  The following is an article featuring her drawing from October 25, 1923 in The Grand Rapids Herald:
 


After her husband, Vincent Van Houten, died, she traveled and resided in New York city for a time, came back to Grand Rapids, married Walter Vande Mark sometime between 1942-1946.  They moved to Detroit and later to California.  But in 1970, at age 80, she returned to Grand Rapids and once again worked for George Welsh, owner of
The Interpreter.

Gert's signature in every cartoon, 1917 - 1923
Gert, 1970s version

Learn more about Gert and other cartoonists in Grand Rapids history and their work in this exhibit in the antique display case in the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Department on the fourth floor of the Grand Rapids Public Library.  View biographies and artwork from Ray Barnes, Kreigh Collins, Jaro Hess, Orville Bulman, and Gertrude Van Houten.

Upcoming Dates
August 26 - Equality Day event: 21st Century "suffragists" promote voter registration downtown


Visit our web site for other news and updates about local historical women. 
 

Join us or Update your Membership!  

Not a current member of GGRWHC?  Register or renew your membership and help offset the expenses associated with annual research and programs. Your membership helps to set the record straight on the women who've made history here in our community.
 

GGRWHC Board Meetings

Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. 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 or plan to attend a meeting.

 

 

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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!