Jim Boatman introduced Katie Morehouse, who portrayed Amelia Bloomer at the Kiwanis noon luncheon meeting at the Lantern Room June 7.
Bloomer, the women's rights activist whose name is associated with the first pair of pants women wore, helped open the door to many opportunities for women. Bloomer published, edited and wrote for The Lily, a newspaper focused on temperance and suffragette issues, Morehouse said.
Morehouse wore a purple mid-calf length dress over pantaloons that were gathered at the ankles during part of her portrayal. She will go to the National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland this week for her fifth and final year. She travels by train with her mother and grandmother, as they can each take several suitcases of props in addition to their carry-on luggage.
Morehouse showed a picture of a long ago Jamestown College Women's basketball team dressed in pantaloons while their woman coach was wearing a long dress with petticoats. Looking around the room Morehouse noted that only one woman was wearing a dress.
Morehouse will attend school in Aberdeen, S.D., this fall and continue her interests in drama, music and several other areas of study. Morehouse thanked the Kiwanis Club for their financial help enabling her to attend National History Day through the years.
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Election of officers was held and they will be installed in October at the beginning of the new Kiwanis year.
Marvin Bietz will introduce Linda Barnick who will speak at the June 21 Kiwanis noon luncheon meeting at the Lantern Room. Barnick will discuss the Taps and Arts Program that she directs during the summer months.
