The 2021-2022 Shakespeare Club season began with the annual tea, hosted by Dr. Lisa Mertz via zoom. The meeting, attended by 14 members and 3 guests, was opened by President Dr. Leanna McMahon at 2:33 pm. She thanked the other officers for their work in organizing the opening tea, Dr. Mertz for coordinating the zoom platform and working with our guest speaker, Gail Crowe for her organizational assistance, and Tina Rausa for being our guest speaker.

Guest speaker Tina Rausa was introduced by Barb Albert. Tina introduced her documentary film “No Holding Back: Women who defied convention to change the world.” The film was created as a benefit which touched on the lives of many female inventors and scientists who created, discovered, and offered amazing additions to the world. The film was created as a benefit which touched on the lives of many female inventors and scientists who created, discovered, and offered amazing additions to the world.

Women mentioned in the film included Josephine Cochrane (washing machine patent), Marie van Britton Brown closed circuit security), Stephanie Koleck (inventor of Kevlar), Matilda J. Gage (The Matilda Effect – women not receiving credit for their work), Mary Anderson (windshield wipers), Ada Lovelace (algorithms and computer programming), Rosalind Franklin (photo 51 – DNA), and Margaret Knight (paper bag machine). Women featured and highlighted were: Rebecca Lee Crumpler (first African-American female doctor in the US), Queen Nanny of the Maroons (guerrilla warrior and spiritual leader), Edmonia Lewis (sculptor) , Erma Bombeck (humorist and activist), and the Women’s Land Army. Following the presentation, Tina answered questions and accepted compliments from the members of Shakespeare Club.

The meeting continued with social time during which members discussed the books published by our guests, bear (and other) encounters, hopes for the upcoming year, and Alaska. Scones, tea sandwiches, blueberry muffins and tea were also enjoyed.