Barrington Preservation Society and
Barrington Public Library present:
Extraordinary Women of the East Bay
Opening Reception & Presentations by
Arlene Violet
Julia Califano
John Hazen White, Jr.
Cindy Elder
David Stewart
Thursday, June 6, 2019, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Salem Family Auditorium and Collis Gallery
Barrington Public Library, Upper Level
Program:
Reception, Exhibit, and Refreshments
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Presentations, introduced by Arlene Violet
Questions from the Audience
Video (before & after presentations): America’s
Forgotten Heroine: Ida Lewis, Keeper of the Light
Mira Hoffman, Natalie Peterson, Mary Tefft “Happy” White and Kitty Stewart-Shadd will represent Barrington in an exhibit on “55 Extraordinary Women of the East Bay,” which will open with a reception and speaking program on Thursday, June 6, at 7:00 PM in the Salem Family Auditorium and Collis Gallery, on the upper level of Barrington Public Library. The exhibit was organized by Heidi Benedic, archivist at Roger Williams University, with the assistance of Heritage Harbor Foundation, nineteen local historical and preservation societies including Barrington Preservation Society. All four Barrington women were selected for using their impressive talents and vision to enrich the culture, education, governance, health and heritage of the community and the state.
Mira Hoffman (1865-1944): Founder of Girl Scouts in Rhode Island and Barrington. Donor of the Briggs Farm and Larkin Pond in West Kingston for Camp Hoffman and National President of Girl Scouts of America. Co-Founder of the Community House on Maple Avenue, that was organized to assist Italian immigrant families in Barrington.
Presented by Julia Califano, Past President Town Council and current Town Moderator.
Mary Tefft “Happy” White (1916-2009): Artist, Community Activist, Philanthropist. President Trustees Board Saint Andrews School, where she created the Happy White Gallery for local artists. Founder Mary Tefft White Cultural Center, Roger Williams University, to provide a distinguished lecture series on leadership and service.
Presented by son John Hazen White, Jr., Owner and CEO of Taco Comfort Solutions, Inc.
Natalie Peterson (1926-2012): Educator. Co-director with husband Armin Luethi of the Ecole d’Humanité in Switzerland. Founder in 1949 Luethi-Peterson International Camps whose aim was to increase peace and international understanding in the future by combating the influence of prejudice and ignorance among young people today.
Presented by Cindy Elder, Associate Director of the Hassenfeld Institute, Bryant University; former LPC camper and counselor.
Kitty Stewart-Shadd (1923-2014): First female Editor of Barrington Times. President Town Council and Chair of Committee to renovate the former Peck Memorial High School into the Barrington Library, Adult Enrichment Center and Town Museum. Founder of Friends of the Library.
Presented by son David Stewart, Owner and Director of the Coastal Design Center, a collaboration of Architects, Builders, Designers, Landscapers, Craftsmen and Realtors in Warren, Rhode Island.
See the virtual exhibit at:
https://sites.google.com/rwu.edu/exhibit-eastbay-women
See the project database at:
https://sites.google.com/view/database-eastbay-women