NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – In 2024 The NMU Beaumere Heritage Center held an exhibit recognizing 60 influential women from the Upper Peninsula. Tuesday Night, portions of that exhibit were presented at the Michigan Iron Industry History Museum in Negaunee.
Tonight, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum held a program honoring three of these women. First up was Bemawashikaga, the Ojibwe, wife of famous geographer Henry Schoolcraft.
“And so he actually took credit for some of her work, I hate to say, and he also was responsible for selling some indigenous land from under her and her people,” said Dr. Romeo.
Then we learned about Verna Mize, the outspoken environmentalist who led the fight to end the dumping of taconite tailings into Lake Superior.
“If it wasn’t for the actions of Verna Mize in the 70s and 80s, we would have had a very different Lake than we do now,” said Dr. Romeo.
And Kathleen Weston, who was crucial in the development of the polio vaccine.
“She was involved in that research for the polio vaccine, but like so many women, again, didn’t get the credit they deserved, as so many women in science have not. I chose them because they really highlight the incredible diversity of extraordinary women in the U.P. They’re from very different walks of life in different fields,” explained Dr. Romeo.
Tonight’s lecture was presented by the Future Historians, a history club for young adults that explores all areas of local history.
“A lot of the students really enjoy the program. Some of them are interactive, and they get an opportunity to learn about different topics that they probably wouldn’t learn about in a regular school session or a field trip or something like that,” said Barry James, A Historian with The Michigan Iron Industry Museum.
“I learned so much more information that I, you know, wouldn’t come across in school textbooks or all that,” said Young Historian, Iris Dohrenweld.
Hopefully, these young folks will have a new understanding of some of these U.P. women who made their mark on history.
