Accomplished women honored for enduring achievements

Lansing, MI -One honoree is the nation’s first Native American literary writer, still cited in scholarly articles and anthologies 150 years after her death. Another founded the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and spearheaded its development for 28 years. A third was the first director of the Michigan Women’s Commission.
   These distinguished women and four others have been selected for induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Established 25 years ago, the Hall of Fame was the brainchild of the Michigan Women’s Studies Association (MWSA), a professional organization of academicians concerned about what is being thought and taught about women in the state’s schools, colleges, and universities.
   “It was a natural extension of our work in the classroom,” explained MWSA President Gladys Beckwith, “and another means of disseminating information about Michigan women, past and present.”
   Patterned after the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York, the Michigan Hall was the first of its kind to recognize high-achieving women of an individual state.
   Over the years, nearly 250 women have been named to this esteemed body. Some are ‘firsts’ or ‘founders’; that is, they were the first females to assume a particular role of leadership, such as Michigan’s first female U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. Others are considered experts in their fields, such as Catherine Carter Blackwell, a recognized authority on African history and culture. And many inductees are Michigan’s proud representatives on a national stage, like Lily Tomlin, whose creative abilities have earned her two Tonys, six Emmys, a Grammy, two Peabody Awards, and an Academy Award nomination.
   Biographical information, photographs, and lesson plans relating to the inductees may be found on the Hall of Fame website at www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org and a commemorative plaque for each woman hangs in the Hall of Fame gallery, located within the Michigan Women’s Historical Center in Lansing. (The development of this center, which houses a museum dedicated to Michigan women’s history and art, a library of women’s resource materials, and public meeting spaces, is another important accomplishment of the Michigan Women’s Studies Association.)

The 2008 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame honorees in the Historical Category are:
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft
This storyteller, translator, essayist, and poet-born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie-is considered to be the nation’s first Native American literary writer.
Leta Snow
An accomplished pianist, she founded the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and served as its steadfast president and manager for 28 years.
Sister Mary Francilene Van de Vyver
For over 25 years, this Felician nun presided over Livonia’s Madonna University: spearheading efforts that doubled enrollment and established innovative academic offerings.

The Hall of Fame honorees in the Contemporary Category are:
Carol Atkins
From her home in Manistee, this author, poet, and playwright has advanced feminist themes and theories since the 1960s.
Patricia Cuza
As the first executive director of the Michigan Women’s Commission, Cuza shaped the agency into an advocate for women as well as a legitimate governmental entity.
Carol King - Read our profile
A filmmaker and crusader for political, social, and economic equality for women, this Detroiter presided over Michigan NOW and fought for the Equal Rights Amendment.
Vicki Neiberg
This East Lansing resident has distinguished herself as an educator and advocate for juvenile justice, labor, and women’s rights.

   Also honored on the evening of October 15 will be Thomas Wilson, recipient of the Philip A. Hart Award for his work on behalf of gender equity in Michigan high school athletics. Wilson incorporated the Michigan Gender Equity Team, a group of organizations that together act as a catalyst to achieve gender equity.
    The 2008 induction ceremony and dinner will be held at the Sheraton Detroit Novi, located at 21111 Haggerty Road in Novi. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the ceremony at 7:00 p.m.
   Tickets for the event will be available in early September through the Michigan Women’s Historical Center. For details, call (517) 484-1880. They can also be ordered on-line at the Center's Web site.

The Michigan Women’s Historical Center was established in 1987 by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association. Inside this Lansing museum are changing galleries highlighting women’s history and art as well as the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Operating hours are from noon to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.