Agents of Change: Washington State History Museum Celebrates Jewish Women

The year 2020 marks the centennial of women’s suffrage in America. Several organizations have holding celebratory and historical events. The Washington State History Museum has a new exhibit celebrating Jewish women who have influenced Washington state’s history and culture. It opens April 28. 

Promoting Community…

Dawn Mason was born July 2, 1945, the youngest of three daughters, she received her BA in 1989 from The Evergreen State College and earned her M.Ed. from Antioch University in 2002. Dedicated to education she became the co-founder of Parent for Student Success in 1989. She served as the president of First Place serving…

Golf anyone….

JoAnne Gunderson Carner born in Kirkland, April 4, 1939. Golfing was life for “The Great Gundy” and her 43 victories on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour earned her an induction in the World Golf Hall of Fame. A student at Arizona State University, JoAnn won the national intercollegiate individual golf championship. Between 1956…

For the love of music…

Gloria Wilson Swisher a composer born in Seattle in 1935. Dedicated to music Gloria graduated summa cum laude from the University of Washington, earned a Master of Music in composition from Mills College, and finally completing a Ph.D. in 1960 from the Eastman School of Music. Ms. Swisher actively participates in the music world as…

An Olympia Original…

Rebecca G. Howard, a face some recognize as a symbol of Olympia. This prominent black businesswoman was born a slave in 1829, married in 1843, and moved to Olympia in 1859. Along with her husband, she opened the Pacific Restaurant in 1860, providing quality food to travelers. By 1862, The Pacific Hotel and Restaurant provided…

When you want people to laugh…

Julia Anne Sweeney an actress, comedian, and author born in 1959 in Spokane, Washington. Drawn to imitating voices and inventing characters as a child, this oldest child, daughter of a lawyer and a homemaker moved to Los Angeles after college and worked as an accountant for Columbia Pictures and United Artists. In 1988, she enrolled…

Shooting for the stars…

Courtney Vandersloot, born in Kent, Washington in 1989 and standing at 5’ 8” plays point guard for the Chicago Sky. In third grade, Courtney wrote a paper on her desire to play for the WNBA. Completing her college career at Gonzaga University with 2,000 points and 1,000 assists, she became the only female named in…

Fighting for the rights of all…

Nettie Craig Asberry was the only free child born to Violet Craig in Kansas in 1865. A precocious child she played the piano and composed music at eight, and at 13 after meeting Susan B. Anthony, she became the secretary for the local suffragists club. In 1883, Nettie received her Ph.D. from the Kansas Conservatory…

Called to public service…

Rosa Franklin, born in 1927, became the first black woman elected to the Washington State Senate serving the 29th Legislative District. Rosa studied nursing, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and English from University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in social sciences and human relations from Pacific Lutheran University. Ms. Franklin worked at…

Conservation as life…

Sally Jewell, born in 1956, was the 51st United States Secretary of the Interior, the second woman to hold this position. Inspired at the early age of nine by her love of the outdoors Sally began a lifelong path towards conservation and environmental protection. As Secretary of the Interior, Ms. Jewell established a process to…