Hats off to the trailblazing women of Grand Rapids! Decades before the Nineteenth Amendment granted American women the right to vote, many had led serious political lives and even run for office. In fact, before the certification of the federal amendment in 1920, 47 different Grand Rapids women had run 82 campaigns for public office between 1887 and 1920. In 1919 and 1920 alone, they ran for Grand Rapids City Commission, the Michigan State Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives—as well as City Comptroller and State Superintendent of Public Instruction! Celebrating Women’s History Month 2021, the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council has launched a new web page, Women Who Ran! (https://www.ggrwhc.org/women-who-ran/) Find out who ran for what when–and check out political biographies and data that can be searched alphabetically, chronologically, by political office, occupation, marital status, reform activity, and party affiliation. Ever heard of the Farmer-Labor Party? Tune in!

This free, virtual program by the GGRWHC’s Jo Ellyn Clarey is sponsored by East Grand Rapids Branch/Kent District Library. To register: https://kdl.org/livestream/?_ga=2.209872022.2023314695.1614020516-99878386.1614020516