Historical photos and a timeline of the Women’s Rights Movement were just a few of the items displayed during the Marilla Historical Society’s March 26 event. Photo by P.G. Misty Sheehan.
By P.G. Misty Sheehan
The Marilla Historical Society hosted a lively Saturday afternoon event attended by 36 guests of the Marilla Museum and Pioneer Place in Copemish. “Women’s Voices: Celebrating Extraordinary Women” showcased and honored the efforts of four women who lived in Marilla Township in Manistee County. The event, planned for Women’s History Month, included readings, role playing and exhibits. A display for visitors featured historical photos and information about important events in U.S. women’s history.
Maryanne Rivers led the crowd in many suffragette songs, while a “high tea” ⸺ with china teacups, petits fours and chocolate dessert ⸺ was served by male members of the historical society.
Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas attended with a friend.
“It was excellent,” DeGeorgio-Venegas said. “Very well put together and planned, right down to the crystal bowls to put your used tea bags in. Good food, too!”
In her remarks to attendees, Jan Thomas, museum director, said it is sad the museum’s historical records feature only men. For instance, records show John Brimmer and family moved to the area in the 1860s, but who was his wife? And did he have daughters? Even historical church records feature male officers and churchmen, but not women.
The four strong women of Marilla faced hardships but made a positive impact on the area … and sometimes beyond.
Eveline Ritchie: teacher, botanist, seamstress
Wearing a Japanese kimono, Director Thomas played the role of Eveline Ritchie. Born in 1900, Eveline was became a school teacher and taught for 30 years. She never married, but she and her dog, Patsy, spent three years wandering the forests and meadows surrounding her home, identifying plant species, watching them grow, then painting them.
When she retired at 60, Eveline wondered what her next stage in life would be. She learned orphanages in Korea, Japan, and Greece had girls, so she made dresses for them ⸺ each one individual, as each girl was an individual. She joined an organization, “Compassion,” that sent 4,500 individual dresses abroad. She made 350 quilts for girls’ beds in Greek orphanages. Eventually, she was part of a group that visited Korea, and from that tour, out of gratitude, several churches were named Eveline.
Eudora Hall Stockman: from teacher to college leader, and more
Janet Stroup stepped into the role of Eudora Hall Stockman, the first woman to hold a public office in Michigan. Eudora’s natal family thought education, politics and agriculture were of prime importance. They argued over the dinner table about relevant issues. Eudora was a member of the grange (a group of farmers) all her life. At age 16, she began teaching, then married, also at age 16, and moved to Arcadia. She she ran a mercantile shop before moving to Benzonia, where she attended college and obtained her degree. The family, now with children, moved to Ingham County, where she lectured for the grange, ran their newspaper, and established a Four-Leaf Clover program for children which later became 4-H. She was appointed to the Board of Agriculture at Michigan Agricultural College, where she was the first women to serve on the board of a land grant institution. She established the Michigan Medical Insurance Program which later became Blue Cross, Blue Shield. Eudora’s focus was on education, believing that schools are necessary to the functioning of a democracy.
Mary Alice Grossnickle and Grace Bahr Fisk: teachers and leaders
Two more women, Mary Alice Grossnickle (played by Cynthia “Cindy” Asiala) and Grace Bahr Fisk (Alissa Aparicio), began teaching at age 16 ⸺ Mary Alice in Bear Lake and Grace at Kaleva High School. In addition to their teaching duties, both had to be the school janitors, cleaning floors, building fires and pumping water. Each married and had children. Mary Alice was a teacher into her 90s and also became a union leader. In her spare time, she made comforters of recycled wool. Grace was the founder of Marilla Historical Society.
From this small country community, these four enterprising women raised families, taught school and created a better world for their children, and for others’ children.
Museum Director Thomas concluded the afternoon with the thought that some sisters are still struggling for basic respect. Women need to respect themselves and raise their sons to believe people, all people, are important.
The Marilla Museum and Pioneer Place, located at 9911 Marilla Road, is open Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m., through April. From May to October, museum hours are 1-5 p.m., Saturdays. Find and purchase prints of drawings by Eveline Ritchie on the society’s website: https://marillahistory.org.
Teas for small groups at Pioneer House can be arranged through Jan Thomas, 231.362.3430.
P.G. “Misty” Sheehan is a retired professor of humanities and the former executive director of the Benzie Area Historical Museum.
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