Exhibits & Presentations
Leading Ladies of Michigan’s Past
February 24 – April 26, 2025
Register Today!
All presentations are complimentary, but we recommend preregistration to guarantee sufficient seating.
The exhibit is free to explore!
Drop by any time between 10am–4pm,
Monday–Saturday, for a self-guided tour.
Rosa Parks’ famous bus ride is a well-known example of the strength, courage and ingenuity of Michigan’s women, but there are many more who also had an enormous impact on the lives of others. Leading Ladies of Michigan’s Past presents the stories of women who made changes, spurred progress, or broke barriers. Stories both large and small, whether they had local or global reach, highlight the ability of Michigan women to accomplish great things and pave the road to the future.
Across time, Michigan women fought to spur change in different arenas, and in different ways. The common thread among them all? Determination. The resolve of the women of our past forged a path for the progress earned by the women of the present. And the women of the future benefit from the tireless work of all the trailblazers who have come before them; as they continue to fight on.
Join us as we explore the stories of women who made and continue to make a difference.
Friday, February 28, 1pm
Dynamic Dames of Detroit
Explore Detroit through the eyes of the women who shaped the city, from Madame de Cadillac to the Queen of Soul. This presentation focuses on the lives of twelve trailblazing women who lived and worked in Detroit—some well-known, and others unsung—and their impact on the history of Detroit and the nation.
Saturday, March 8, 1pm
Women Engineers Moved the Motor City:
Female Automotive Pioneers in Detroit
This session highlights the careers of pioneering women in automotive engineering: Virginia Sink, the first woman engineer at Chrysler in 1936; Ann Fletcher, a WWII-trained engineer and Ford draftsman; Helma Fuhrmann, a WWII draftsman turned Detroit Diesel engineer; and Lucille Pieti, a mechanical engineer and Plymouth spokeswoman.
Wednesday, March 12, 11am
She Won, and Won, and Won:
Women in the Michigan Legislature
In 1920, shortly after the 19th amendment’s ratification, Michigan elected its first woman senator. Since then, over 200 women have served in the state legislature, enriching the Michigan Capitol with their diverse experiences. This program explores their personal challenges and achievements, reflecting a century of women’s history.
Saturday, March 15, 1pm
Integrating Boblo:
The Story of Sarah Elizabeth Ray
Desiree Cooper will discuss the life of little-known civil rights activist, Sarah Elizabeth Ray, who, in 1948, won a U.S. Supreme Court decision that forced the integration of the Boblo Boat. The boat was a popular steamship ferry that operated between Detroit and Boblo Amusement Park in Canada.
Wednesday, March 19, 11am
Great Girls in Michigan History
You've probably heard of some of the famous women in Michigan history. But what about the girls? This talk will introduce you to several who started their careers as young teens–and even one who was only three years old. Life wasn't always easy for these girls; some faced discrimination, poverty and disability. But they were all able to overcome the challenges to reach their goals.
Saturday, March 29, 1pm
Michigan’s Most Dangerous Women
Explore the old Detroit House of Correction, Michigan’s only prison for long-term female inmates, and meet some of the state’s most dangerous women, including a serial poisoner. True crime author Tobin T. Buhk will introduce these and other intriguing characters in "Michigan’s Most Dangerous Women," and discuss the treatment of females by the legal system (police, courts and prisons) in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Friday, April 11, 1pm
What She Left Behind:
Uncovering the Stories of Rochester Women
Discover the rich historical resources left behind by local women through photographs, diaries, scrapbooks and more found in the archives of the Rochester Hills Museum Van Hoosen Farm! Museum Archivist Samantha Lawrence takes you on a journey to explore the stories of local women who played a significant role in shaping the history of the greater Rochester area. This program will be repeated on Wednesday, April 23, 1pm.
Saturday, April 12, 1pm
Nancy Harkness Love:
The True Story of a WWII Pilot
Sixteen-year-old Nancy Harkness from Houghton, Michigan, discovers a passion for flying and quickly earns her pilot’s license. During World War II, she forms a squadron of female pilots to ferry bombers, saving the military time. She fights gender stereotypes by training WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots) members like male pilots and advocating for equal missions.
Wednesday, April 23, 1pm
What She Left Behind:
Uncovering the Stories of Rochester Women
This program is a rerun of the presentation from Friday, April 11, at 1pm.
Friday, April 25, 11am
Conquering Heroines:
How Women Fought Sex Bias at U of M and Paved the Way for Title IX
Just before Title IX passed, a small group of women filed a sex discrimination complaint against the University of Michigan, highlighting bias in hiring and admissions. Their success led to nationwide changes. Author, Sara Fitzgerald, documented their story in a 2020 book, fifty years after covering it as a student newspaper staff member.
Friday, April 25, 1pm
Elly Peterson:
Mother of the Moderates
By 1970, Elly Peterson was the highest-ranking woman in the Republican Party. She was the first woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Michigan and to head a state Republican Party. Her biography, a Notable Book of 2012 by the Library of Michigan, details her leadership in the Equal Rights Amendment fight and her eventual departure from the party.
