Global Women’s Month Celebration
Posted on 03/20/2024
Mayor Brian Turnbull

As we celebrate National Women’s month and related history, I will highlight some standout Northville women who have truly made a difference, locally and globally.

Global Women’s Month Celebration:

Women’s History Month, observed in March since 1987, celebrates women’s contributions to history, culture and the needs of society. The theme for 2024 is “Women who advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.”

In 1776, future First Lady Abigail Adams sent a note to her husband (soon-to-be President) stating, “Remember the ladies, and be more generous & favorable to them than your ancestors.”

Many glass ceilings have been shattered in this country, but progress needs to continue. As Hillary Clinton once said when she accepted the nomination to run for president,” When there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”

We are proud of those that have broken through difficult glass ceilings (or in some cases, truly hardwood ceilings), including Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, and many more known to us.

Today, I would like to highlight some special women right close to home, including Alice Beal, Mary Lapham, Mary Gilbert, former Governor Jennifer Granholm and business leaders such as Mary Barra (CEO-GM) … notably, all are Northvillians.

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON TODAY, FIRST…

Bicentennial Task Force and Cemeterian TEAM Meetings – Bicentennial Task Force 3/27 & Cemeterian Task Force 3/28 (City Hall, 7:00 p.m., see you there!)

History of “Eloise” with Joe Oldenburg – 3/27, 7 p.m. at Mill Race Village. Follow its story, from a poorhouse in the 1830s to an asylum and then a TB Sanitorium. Link

Maple Syrup Tours at Maybury – Weekends only till 3/30, NOON - 5PM. Link

Questions from Citizens

Upcoming task forces (Bicentennial & Cemeterian): How do I become a member?

Attend the Mtgs on 3/27 (Bicentennial) or 3/28 (Cemeterian) at City Hall at 7PM. Additional info will be forthcoming after these meetings to also provide an opportunity to join.

INFO

Griswold Bridge 8 Mile Paving – East of the Griswold bridge will be paved to Haggerty in 2024, along with completion of the bridge on 8 Mile just south of Griswold St.

Pothole Hotline (Wayne County) – call 1-888-762-3273

Projects Around Town

Ford Field – Phase I beginning (entryway, overview vista, fencing, infrastructure, parking).

Riverwalk – Daylighting of river and the building of River Park planned for Spring @ Downs.

Northville Downs – Pest mitigation underway along with asbestos removal & demolition will begin shortly and be complete by May. The 14-acre River Park will be completed in 2024.

Farmers’ Market – 2024 temporary location is Highland Lakes Mall. Permanent plans for ’25.

Social District
– Bollards installed, May-Oct. for street closures, reviewing long-term plans.

Infrastructure – Crosswalk painting, traffic calming, roads (reviewed/ranked/repaved).

Mill Race Village – Lane will be bricked, and drainage infrastructure completed (fall ’24)

Historic strong Northvillian Women cited in the Record …


Sarah Ann Cochrane (1832-1917) – Sarah’s father was the pastor at the New School Church. She taught at the Northville Academy (Randolph St.) and was instrumental in organizing the Detroit Public Library. The Northville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is named in her honor.

Alice Beal
– 1869 First NHS graduate. Also, Daughter of the owner of Globe Furniture Factory – largest school furniture factory in the world at one time – in Bealtown.

Dr. Mary Lapham (1860-1936) – Mary operated & owned Lapham State Bank in Northville. Notably, she started the Library Association and donated the New School Church building now located in the Mill Race Village. She was the founder of the Woman’s Club, served in WWI, became a Doctor at 40 and was an innovator in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Ida B. Cooke (1889-1974) – Ms. Cooke was a beloved Northville teacher & coach that inspired many women in Northville. Ida was friends with my mother and grandmother who were part of the Business & Professional Women’s Club in town. She inspired my mother to go on to Business School in the 1930’s and become a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII at Willow Run. Cooke School is named in her honor.

Mary Gilbert – was an inspiring educator at the turn of the century, despite her deafness. Her compassion for others, especially those less fortunate during the great depression, was legendary. She built a log cabin on River St. which will be relocated and used as a museum/comfort station on our River Walk.

Also, a notable mention – Katherine Stinson (National Aviation Hall of Fame) was the inspiration for her brother Eddie, whose aircraft business was in Northville.

Many others from town have made a difference nationally and globally, including U.S. Secretary of Energy former Governor Jennifer Granholm, Mary Barra (CEO-General Motors) and many other leaders from Northville.

A quick snapshot of some local businesses run by women:

 Genitti's (Toni, now Laura) & previously their Aunt Mary Ware had businesses in town
 Casterlines (Roxanne, Lindsey & Courtney)
 Angela Carson Photography
 Long Mechanical (Allison Long)
 Little Salumi (Jessica Poole)
 Rebecca’s Restaurant (Rebecca Good)
 Orin's Jewelers (Antoinette)
 Gardenviews (Carol Peretto)
 Dancing Eye Gallery (Theresa Schierloh)
 Dear Prudence (Prudence Kauffman)
 Stampeddler (Margene Buckhave)
 Kiss My Lash (Jennifer Nguyen)
 Mi Skin Center (Dr. Francisca Kartono)
 Celebrity Pets (Shauna Parzuchowski)
 Lava Grille (Karry Bazzi - Sister of Angela Jaafar)
 Table 5/Lucy and The Wolf (Mishelle Lussier)
 Adorn Fine Flowers/Sugar Lu's/Toria (Alicia Racine)
 Tuscan Cafe (Jayme Hundley)
 Studio 170 Salon | Spa | Boutique (Tita, Alesandra, and Isabella Daskal)
 Reset Brain and Body (Kerry Biskelonis)

---- JUST TO NAME A FEW ----

Keep that Northville Women’s History Month Faith!


Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville

[email protected] / 248.505.6849
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Women's History Month