Andre, Betty Ladd: 1996
Transcript Summary: Development of the Ladd building enterprise, HUD
Grand Rapids Women’s History Council Collection (Coll. No. 167). The collection of audio tapes and hard copy transcripts is located in the local history archives on the fourth floor of the Grand Rapids Public Library. Both the audio files and their transcripts have been digitized, however, and queries about using them can be sent to us at info@ggrwhc.org. Currently, we are posting summaries of the transcripts below as they become available.
Apted, Virginia Peck: 1990
Life in Grand Rapids, Heritage Hill area.
Bickey, Alice: 1989
Transcript Summary: Developing the Voigt House Museum, Oval office in Gerald R. Ford Museum
Blaich, Jan: 1995
Transcript Summary: Founder of GR Arts Council and Festival, first director of the Women’s Resource Center, speechwriter of “white papers” for the European Commission
Blandford, Sue: 1989
Transcript summary: Youth in Grand Rapids during the 1930s, treasurer and office manager of Blandford Appraisal Co., volunteerism.
Blodgett, Edith Irwin (Mrs. John): 1994
Transcript Summary: Early life in Grand Rapids, World War II years, GR Symphony years, Blodgett Hospital.
Brink, Norma: 1996
Transcript Summary: Growing up in Grand Rapids, teacher and principal in GRPS, development of Circle Theater.
Byrd, Mary Lou, MD: 1993
Transcript Summary: First anesthesiologist at Butterworth Hospital
Cady, Marie Jay: 1995
Transcript Summary: Reporter, columnist for GR Herald, served in Army during WW II, developed World Affairs Council.
Cary, Ara (Mrs. John): 1989
Transcript Summary: Social work, Child Guidance Clinic.
Claytor, Helen Jackson: 1990
Transcript Summary: YWCA, African Americans in Grand Rapids
Comet, Catherine: 1998
Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Deming, Emily Claggett: 1990
Transcript Summary: Butterworth Hospital Housekeeping pioneer
Dockeray, Mary Jane: 1994
Transcript Summary: Development of Blandford Nature Center.
Edmond, Mary: 2000
Transcript Summary: GRPS teacher & administrator, director of multicultural education, first black music teacher and assistant principal in GRPS
Englehart, Jeanne: 2002
Transcript Summary: Local entrepreneur.
Garver, Betty: 1996
Transcript Summary: Kent County Library System.
Geha, Suzanne: 1996
Transcript Summary: TV newswoman and anchor for WOOD TV.
Grigware, Mary: 1989
Transcript Summary: Inventor and marketer of facial sauna.
Grissen, Lillian: 1996
Career in Christian education as an editor and teacher, development of Pine Rest, Wedgewood Acres.
Hammersma, June: 1999
Calvin College, January Series.
Hill, Harriet Woods: 1998
Transcript Summary: First woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department
Horowitz, June: 1998
Born in 1913, family came to Grand Rapids in 1916, majored in Mathematics at the University of Michigan, became a teacher at Grand Rapids Junior College. Her father was a magician and Mrs. Horowitz started in magic when she was nine years old.
Hoyle, Margaret Porter: 1989
Transcript Summary: Early settlers in 1840s and their role in settling present day Wyoming. Teacher at South HS and GRJC.
Judd, Dorothy Leonard (Mrs. Siegel): 1980
Michigan Constitutional Convention.
Kindel, Mary Harvey (Mrs. Thomas): 1990
Transcript Summary: Nursing school committee at Blodgett Hospital, one of founding members of Planned Parenthood.
Lathrop, Marion Bertsch Gray: 1990
Transcript Summary: Prominent in the field of medical social work, active community volunteer, WCC. Transcript summary
Maurits, Evangeline "Gene": 1971
Transcript Summary: Musician, Dutch heritage, father, Ruben Maurits, early GR doctor. Transcript summary
Mueller, Nancy Palmer: 1996
Transcript Summary: Family heritage in GR, city planning, establishment of Our Hope, substance abuse treatment for women.
Mulnix, Nancy: 1994
Biography
Transcript Summary: Establishment of Alexander Calder stabile with grant from National Endowment of the Arts.
Newman, Dorothy: 1994
Transcript Summary: UAW labor union, Democratic Party.
Perkins, Shirley: 1994
Transcript Summary: Career in teaching, the Grand Rapids Study Club.
Pinsky, Jeralyn: 1999
Transcript Summary: Director of local theatre productions, acting experience, growth of Actors’ Theatre, theater in Grand Rapids.
Erlene "Beans" Risinger: 2001
Transcript Summary: Played for All American Girls’ Professional Baseball League, Grand Rapids Chicks
Roelofs, Barbara: 1989
Transcript Summary: Development of Heritage Hill.
Rosenzweig, Dora (Mrs. Leonard): 1996
Transcript Summary: Early life in Detroit, Jewish family, involvement in the arts, Spectrum.
Schad, Vernis: 2000
Transcript Summary: 2012 Grand Rapids Public School board member, women’s rights advocate.
Sims, Ella: 1994
Transcript Summary: Early member of Office of Economic Opportunity and Kent County Community Action Program
Spencer, Leona: 1995
Transcript Summary: Years working for betterment of children’s lives through DSS, volunteer activities at First Community Church, better community relations.
Starr, Myrtle Bixler: 1989
Transcript Summary: YWCA, volunteerism, life during the Great Depression.
Thiel, Sister Agnes C.: 1999
Transcript Summary: Marywood Academy, White House Conference.
Wade, Virgilia: 2001
Transcript Summary: Child care and development advocate.
Weber, Sister Agnes: 1996
Transcript Summary: Aquinas College, Director of Eastown Project, Greater GR Housing Authority, St. John’s Home, Aquinas College OLLI.
Wolfe, Joan: 1997
Transcript Summary: Formed West Michigan Environmental Action Council. Environmental Protection Act in 1970s. Appointed to State DNR by Governor Milliken.
Wright, Wilhelmina: 1998
Transcript Summary: Social worker, working with families, description of life as an African American in white communities.
Zona, Marvel Ritter: 1991
Transcript Summary: In 1950s helped with immigrants from Latvian displaced persons into Grand Rapids area.
Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council
PO Box 68874
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
616-315-0234
info@ggrwhc.org