March is Women’s History Month, and it’s important to take this time to celebrate all the accomplishments women have contributed to society! Women in history have sacrificed a significant amount to fight for the rights we’re lucky to have today. This month, we honor and celebrate their bravery, sacrifices, and determination for equality.
The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council is an organization that gives women a place to be heard and recognized. They compile Women’s History and give them an opportunity to share their journey through biographies, oral histories, educational talks, and events. One of the events offered is a Women Legends Walking Tour, where you get the opportunity to learn about women in the Grand Rapids area.
The Women Legends Walking Tour takes you around the city to visit statues of five influential women of Grand Rapids. These women are honored with statues across town. If you haven’t been on the walking tour, here’s a bit of history on each of these women and where you can visit their statues:
- Betty Ford – 303 Pearl St. NW
Betty Ford was a powerful advocate for women’s rights. She supported the Equal Rights Act and spoke out about the nation’s need for equality. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer and found comfort in a dependency on substances, she was open and honest with the public and shared her struggles. She encouraged women everywhere to seek medical treatments and later opened the Betty Ford Center—a facility for substance abuse and addiction treatment.
- Anna Bissell – 303 Monroe Ave NW
In 1889, Anna Bissell became the first woman CEO of Bissell in a male-dominated corporate world. She was very involved in local philanthropies and her progressive leadership style was greatly appreciated by her employees. Anna was the first of a long line (and counting) of successful women in the corporate workplace.
- Pearl Kendrick, Grace Eldering, and Loney Clinton Gordon – 400 Monroe Ave NW
This statue is titled “Adulation: The Future of Science,” to honor the three women who created the pertussis vaccine. Pearl, Grace, and Loney were advocates for equality and hired African Americans to conduct research for the vaccines. These women conducted the first clinical trial of the pertussis vaccine and their efforts have improved additional vaccines.
- Rosa Parks – Pearl St. And Monroe Ave NW
Rosa Parks is one of the most influential women in history and is a household name. Although she isn’t from Grand Rapids, this statue of her next to a bus seat reminds us of her courage in saying ‘no’ to a man and becoming the “first lady of civil rights”.
- Helen Jackson Claytor – GRCC Juan Olivarez Student Plaza
Helen Jackson Claytor was the first Black woman to become president of the Grand Rapids YWCA. She saw the lack of opportunities for Black women in the school system, so she traveled the world to educate people on the struggles women face—especially women of color. Her civil rights activism spread awareness and her efforts have provided young women with greater opportunities.
For more information about the walking tour, history about women, and events coming up, visit the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council website.
Source: Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council Women Legends Walking Tour
