“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another.” – Serena Williams
The Alleyway Activation Project was a collaboration with Healthy Klamath to celebrate the women who helped shape the Klamath community into what it is today. It was an honor for Virtuosa Society to contribute historical research to this important project. Our mission is to cultivate and nurture creativity and virtuosity in women, and the 8 women featured in these beautiful murals were chosen for their impact on the wellbeing and growth of the Klamath Basin over the past 160 years.
In Katie’s words, “Their collective contributions make up the cornerstones of our community.”
We were elated to see so many people join us for the unveiling ceremony for these murals, including two of the women depicted in The Philanthropists, Jean Pinninger and Joan Staunton. Family members of Janice Lee York Romary, Marie Norris, Nancy Wendt, Jean Pinninger & Joan Staunton were also in attendance, as well as families and friends of the artists.
We would like to thank Rich & Tammy Bogatay for donating the side of their building for the mural installation, and Diversified Contractors, Inc for building the frames and installing the murals. It was such a pleasure collaborating with Healthy Klamath & Executive Director Kelsey Mueller Wendt on this beautiful project.
The women who answered the call for mural artists come from all walks of life and share a deep appreciation for both the arts and the women honored in this project. Their work is now on display in downtown Klamath Falls.
Winema – which means “woman chief” – earned her name in the 1850s when as a teen she saved a canoe full of children from being dashed in strong rapids by steering it to safety. Such deeds continued throughout her life, and her courageous actions as a mediator during the Modoc War brought about lasting peace.
Janice-Lee York Romary made history as the first female Olympian to carry the United States flag during an opening ceremony. A decorated foil fencing champion, she competed in six consecutive Olympic Games, and upon retirement from the sport, chose to build both a family and a business in Klamath Falls.
Dr. Martha Ann Dow led Oregon Institute of Technology as its first female president between 1998–2007. Dow’s leadership helped the school transition from its vocational roots into the future, shaping the Oregon Renewable Energy Center and the Oregon Center of Health Professions which houses Oregon Tech’s health sciences programs. It was renamed the Martha Anne Dow Center for Health Professions in her honor.
Marie Norris pursued a life of active service for her Klamath community. In addition to founding the Organization of Forgotten Americans in 1969 to address the effects of tribal termination, Norris was a devoted advocate for Native American culture and was one of the last people able to speak the Klamath language. Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh declared Norris as one of the most outstanding women in Oregon history.
Maud Baldwin’s legacy as an intrepid photographer can be seen throughout the murals peppered along our downtown streets, and in the thousands of images she captured of the growth of Klamath County in the early twentieth century, including tribal life, loggers, ranchers, Crater Lake, street scenes, paddlewheel steamboats, school children, wildlife, reclamation projects, and the excitement surrounding the first trains, automobiles and airplanes in Klamath Falls!
Nancy Wendt, Jean Pinninger and Joan Staunton’s collaborative philanthropic work help sustain and grow many of the community assets we all enjoy today. Together, they raised millions to support the Ross Ragland Theater, Klamath Community College, The YMCA, Mike’s Field House, The Martha Anne Dow Center for Health Professions, the Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, The United Way, and more.
Katie’s words summed up the project and ceremony beautifully:
“Our artists – as the next generation of talented, creative women in our community – help us all to pay homage to these 8 remarkable women through their beautiful artistic interpretations. Now generations to come will know that the foundation of our community was paved by courageous, industrious, compassionate, fearless and innovative women.”
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