Museum celebrates Women of Avalon on Saturday, March 20, with virtual event

Zale Parry on cover of Water World Magazine. Photo courtesy of Catalina Island Museum

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Catalina Island Museum is honoring past and present women of Avalon during a virtual event this Saturday, March 20, at 11 a.m. on Zoom.

Numerous women have impacted the island’s history and continue to bring about change and progress.

The museum’s program will begin with special guest Susan Danish from the National Women’s History Museum who will share the history of Women’s History Month and why it is important to highlight the accomplishments of women in our history.

The NWHM is a museum and an American history organization founded in 1996 that researches, collects and exhibits the contributions of women to the social, cultural, economic and political life of our nation in a context of world history.

Historic figures to be featured:

• Blanche Trask, botanist and scientist presented by Steve Junak researcher, flora expert and recently retired Herbarium Curator from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

• Mrs. Emily Parker who took over her husband’s taxidermy business in 1924 and reportedly became the world’s first female taxidermist.

• Lucille Wilde, Avalon’s first female lifeguard will come to life through her children, who will share images and her stories.

• Dorothy Shepard, a groundbreaking graphic designer who along with her husband, Otis, branded and promoted Catalina Island, as well as Wrigley’s Gum and the Chicago Cubs.

Throughout the program, a number of Avalon’s leading women will share their stories and advice. These women include Avalon’s Mayor Annie Marshall; Mayor Pro-Tem Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy; City Councilmember Sarah De La Rosa; store owner Renee Hubbard; fitness, health and wellness instructor Natalie Campazzie, store owner Rosa Miller and Zale Parry, pioneer scuba diver, underwater photographers and actress.

The event will take place entirely on Zoom. Visit CatalinaMuseum.org/calendar to register and to receive the event link.

This event is offered to museum members for $5 and non-members for $10.

The museum’s monthly virtual events are a great way to stay connected to its community.

These events also offer a deeper understanding of Catalina Island history, its impact on American history and often showcase items from its permanent collection.

The Catalina Island Museum offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world, and the finest in silent, documentary and international film.

The museum’s Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building is located in the heart of Avalon at 217 Metropole Ave.

For more information, call 310-510-2414 or visit CatalinaMuseum.org.