In partnership with Albion artist Jerome Washington, the students created 2-minute documentaries on the women based on research. The students used editing to bring their voices together with images of women who broke glass ceilings in areas of Education, Medicine, and Entertainment. The multimedia project will be released on September 7th.

Local organizations also came on board to provide free copies of the books to youth in the community. Kalamazoo RESA, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Kalamazoo Promise, and the Family Health Center have partnered to bring this fun history to the community through grants, prototype printing, and purchases. The Foundation’s funds will provide books and free downloads along with the distribution of the documentaries on various social media platforms.

“I didn’t know Kalamazoo has so many amazing women,” said Explorer Alayna Kuhn who read for some of the scripts. “They are truly inspiring!”

The women featured include:

Monique Grayson – First African American Female Pilot of Western Michigan University’s School of Aviation. She is currently a commercial pilot with Delta Airlines.

Juanita Goodwin – First African American Female principal of Kalamazoo Public Schools.

Pauline Johnson – First African American woman graduate of Kalamazoo College and first African American elementary school teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools.

Alma Powell – First African American woman library assistant for Kalamazoo Public Library.

Phyllis Seabolt – First African American middle school and high school teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools.

Dr. Merze Tate – First African American woman to earn a bachelor’s degree from WMU. Also, the first African American graduate from Oxford University.

Anna Whitten – Longest-serving Board of Director for Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

The Velvelettes – Kalamazoo’s first Motown artists. Their hits include “Needle in a Haystack,” and “He Was Really Sayin’ Something.”

Beverly Moore – Kalamazoo’s first African American woman mayor.

Eva Ozier – The longest-serving Kalamazoo County Commissioner.

Denise Crawford – President and CEO of Kalamazoo’s Family Health Center.

Dr. Donna Hackley Powell – First African American woman doctor from Kalamazoo.

Stacey Randolph Ledbetter – First African American woman supervisor of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Carolyn Williams – First African American woman judge for Kalamazoo County Probate Court.

Willie Mae Pierson – First African American woman realtor in Kalamazoo.

Abbey Lincoln – First Kalamazoo Central High School graduate nominated for a Golden Globe award.

For individual orders, please visit: Amazon.com

For bulk or sponsorship orders, contact Sonya Bernard-Hollins at contact@merzetate.org. Proceeds go to help girls Explore Possibilities Through Media!