The High Point Museum recently opened a new exhibit “Strength in Numbers: The Lasting Impact of Women’s Organizations in High Point.” This exhibit highlights four organizations—the Alpha Art Club, The Woman’s Club, Junior League of High Point and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).
Working in conjunction with High Point Museum staff, this exhibit was developed by Katherine Simmons, a student in the Museum Studies program at the University of North Caroling at Greensboro. Simmons completed the research and spoke to local historians and the organizations to curate this exhibit.
"Women's organizations do not get nearly enough recognition in the High Point community," Simmons said. "They have been instrumental in the development of the city from health care and education to traffic lights outside of schools. This exhibits seeks to shed light on the role these organizations have played in High Point throughout the 20th century."
This exhibit features photographs and artifacts relating to these organizations and the role they played in High Point's development. It will be on display at the High Point Museum until October 13.
“It’s really interesting to see how the role of these organizations and their members in the High Point community evolved over the course of the 20th century,” Edith Brady, Museum director, said. “The projects these groups took on reflect larger trends happening on the local and national levels. The Woman’s Club was founded before women even had the right to vote, and by the end of the century club women were running for office and winning. They were applying leadership skills they gained in part from their active membership in these clubs.”
The High Point Museum, a division of the High Point Public Library, is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point’s history, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community.
The City of High Point aims to serve as the catalyst for bringing together the community’s human, economic and civic resources for the purpose of creating the single most livable, safe and prosperous community in America. For more information on the City, visit www.highpointnc.gov
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