Female "Voices"

Female "Voices" from the past on display Saturday at MCHS

By Karen Gruber
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 

Have you ever wandered down the main street of your hometown and wondered what it looked like a hundred or more years ago and who the men and women were who lived there? Have you looked at the sepia toned photographs of long distant family members and wondered what their stories were? We are going to have that rare and extraordinary opportunity when Voices opens on April 30 at the Midland County Historical Society. The momentum for this historical moment began when Ginny Morrison, a strong community supporter and active in the MCFTA, browsed through an old booklet. With wrinkled brow, she made an amazing discovery. She placed a call to Gary Skory at the MCHS and said, "I can't believe there is only one women noted in the history of Midland County and that is Hannah Murray and only because she owned land. Surely, there were more women to recognize or acknowledge in the development of Midland County." Gary and Tina VanDam, also a part of the conversation, agreed.

Tina became the chair of Voices. As she pulled it together, everyone thought it was a wonderful idea. They had a short and fast-paced timeline to get it ready by April. A form went out to the community asking for women who they felt made a contribution to Midland County. They looked for women whose individual stories were an inspiration and influence on the developing area. From past to present, women were sought. Some of the early Voices include Maggie Cunningham who ran a boarding house. She would travel to the outer farm areas to pick up orphans who needed food, clothing and shelter. Sylvia Stoesser was the first woman chemist at Dow Chemical Co. Getting to know all of them will be an enlightening experience.

Tina called Ruby Iwamasa and invited her to become a part of this process. Ruby found it to be an exciting project and discovered it was interesting to discover people's backgrounds. Ruby said there was a strict time period to get everything organized and the MCFTA and MCHS spent many hours getting this amazing exhibit ready. Ruby was a part of the 150 or more volunteers who made this possible. When asked what she and the others got out of it, Ruby's smile said it all. "We worked with fantastic and talented people dedicated to making a difference in Midland County."

Ruby also gained much inspiration. She was at the first four video tapings where the women spoke and found their Voices. Each story was personal and impactive. No one else could tell their story because they lived it. All of the artifacts and material gathered for Voices will go into archival history and will forever be a part of MCHS.

All of those who worked on Voices feel it will have an impact on the general public. They hope young people will be moved and energized. Their hope is that they will be inspired to do something themselves for the betterment of the community. Because young people are our future, history is an important part of their development. Ruby feels talking to parents and other significant adults is critical because if you wait too long it is too late. She urges all of us to think what we would like to ask parents, grandparents, and other family and community members before the opportunity is gone.

Ruby knows this all too well. During WWII, in 1942, Ruby and her family were moved to a relocation camp in Poston, Ariz. Being a small child, she felt safe and secure surrounded by her extended family. At that time, she did not realize how this impacted the teens and college students as well as the adult family members. After the war, back on their farm, her parents never spoke of it again. Today Ruby wishes she knew more about this time in her young life. 

She wonders how her family felt and what daily life was like in the camps. She is impressed by how the women in her family coped during the Poston experience and feels their influence on her adult life. Many of us have similar experiences, whether it be the Depression, relatives who were early immigrants or periods of war. There are stories for future generations to be aware of

 During these times of trials, women often kept the home fires burning while their men were away. They worked the fields, fought for women's rights, made quilts and clothes, canned and put meals on the table. They did this proudly and fearlessly holding families together without making the headlines. They helped those who were less fortunate and worked in the factories to secure their place in the workforce. Their hands may look tired and worn and their smiles may be weary but their grit and determination to make a difference in their world was as important to them as breathing.

Ruby knows this all too well. During WWII, in 1942, Ruby and her family were moved to a relocation camp in Poston, Ariz. Being a small child, she felt safe and secure surrounded by her extended family. At that time, she did not realize how this impacted the teens and college students as well as the adult family members. After the war, back on their farm, her parents never spoke of it again. 

Today Ruby wishes she knew more about this time in her young life. She wonders how her family felt and what daily life was like in the camps. She is impressed by how the women in her family coped during the Poston experience and feels their influence on her adult life. Many of us have similar experiences, whether it be the Depression, relatives who were early immigrants or periods of war. There are stories for future generations to be aware of.

During these times of trials, women often kept the home fires burning while their men were away. They worked the fields, fought for women's rights, made quilts and clothes, canned and put meals on the table. They did this proudly and fearlessly holding families together without making the headlines. They helped those who were less fortunate and worked in the factories to secure their place in the workforce. Their hands may look tired and worn and their smiles may be weary but their grit and determination to make a difference in their world was as important to them as breathing.

Look at the grandparents, mothers, and daughters in your family and community and seek the special voices they have. As our daughters grow, give them the encouragement and opportunity to be whatever they want to be. Spend time with an elderly friend or relation to seek out who they are and what their story is. One voice may start a movement, gaining strength as others join in. Once you hear the Voices at MCHS, listen for your own inner voice and be proud of who you are and what you have done. Follow it with passion as your own story unfolds.

Source: http://www.ourmidland.com/opinion/article_ddf01896-8430-5bdd-8511-1830c5a65b30.html