Anna Sutherland Bissell, 1846-1934

One of the most interesting ways to study history—and the way many non-historians enjoy is through biography. The stories of military leaders and politicians tell us a great deal about leaderhip, policy, strategy, along with the great events in national history. Those we select to have their stories told also tell us a great deal about what we value and deem most important. Let me give you an idea of what I mean. I want to tell you the stories of three individuals and then have you decide which are most worthy of inclusion in a history of Grand Rapids.

Stories

The women whose stories are told in this exhibit demonstrate the many ways citizens can make a difference in the life of their community. They come from fields as varied as government, business, health care, and sports. In time, they cover more than two hundred years of history. Some were trailblazers, the first of their gender to move into positions previously closed to women. Others made a difference through lifelong community service.

This is not intended to be an exhibit of the 30 most influential or outstanding women in Grand Rapids history. Rather these women are representative of the many time periods and fields of endeavor in which women have helped give the community its distinctive way of life. For every woman represented in the exhibit there are others, equally important, who might have been chosen instead. The exhibit marks the beginning of an effort to recognize women's contributions, not the end.

There are, however, certain characteristics that seem to typify all who were selected. To a person, they were goal setters who understood the importance of working steadily and dilligently to achieve their purpose. They also valued education and saw it as one of the tools they needed to achieve their goals. Each and everyone of them understood that contributions of time and resources benefited themselves as well as their community. While they often received personal recognition for their work, they understood the value of teamwork and collaboration and made it an effective cornerstone of their leadership. Finally, they understood the need to break down barriers of discrimination and bias that hold people back and deny the community the opportunity of their energy and their talents. Not one of these women sought special recognition, they all deserve it.