Contact: Linda Evans
Phone: 336-373-2610

Museum Lunch Program Offers Inspiring Stories of Six Educators

GREENSBORO, NC -- (February 24, 2011) -- As part of the celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month on Tuesday, March 8, the Greensboro Historical Museum and the North Carolina Friends Historical Society present a free lunchtime panel discussion titled “Four Marys, Gertrude and Virginia – A Case Study of Six Quaker Women Educators” beginning at 11:30 am at the museum.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. 

The panel will discuss the influences of Mary E. Mendenhall, Mary Woody, Mary Mendenhall Hobbs, Mary Petty, Gertrude Mendenhall and Virginia Ragsdale on the development of Guilford College and the North Carolina State Normal and Industrial School, which went on to become known as the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, and now is The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. All of the women served as faculty or key supporters assisting in the creation of these institutions and others, and in extending the intellectual and cultural life of the colleges into the larger community and the state.

Taking part in the discussion will be:
• Carol Stoneburner – retired Director of Women’s Studies and Director of Faculty Development at Guilford College and co-editor with John Stoneburner of the Influence of Quaker Women in American History, Mellon Press.
• Linda Evans – Community Historian for the Greensboro Historical Museum and author of an unpublished paper on the North Carolina Women’s Christian Temperance Association and Mary Woody.
• John Stoneburner – Craven Professor of Religious Studies (Emeritus) at Guilford College and co-editor of The Influence of Quaker Women in American History.
• Gwen Erickson – Friends Historical Collection Librarian and College Archivist at Guilford College.
• Betty Carter – retired University Archivist at the Walter Clinton Jackson Library at UNCG.
• Beverley Rogers – educator, civic volunteer and a major supporter of Guilford College as wife of Dr. William Rogers, sixth president of Guilford College.

Attendees may purchase a boxed lunch for $12 by calling 336-373-2949 or sending a check to the Greensboro Historical Museum, c/o Linda Evans, 130 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401. For more information, call Evans at 336-373-2610.

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