Inaugural Meeting of Pacific Northwest Chapter

The new Pacific Northwest Chapter of Society of Woman Geographers was held October 18th at the home of Randa Kayyali Privett in Seattle. It was a lovely event attended by an intimate group of extremely strong and brilliant SWG members.

Left to right –
Bottom Row:  Ann Jarris, Michele Westmorland, Jennifer Thomas
Top Row:  Terry Glenn (the oldest member of SWG!), Helen “Gilly” Burlingham, Gilly Burlingham, Randa Privett (host), Elisabeth Eaves, Stacy Bumback.

We started the evening with informal introductions, wine and appetizers, followed by a presentation by me about the process of making the documentary film.The lecture spoke to the inspiration, the expedition (proudly carrying the SWG flag), the challenges and the success of this long-term project.

Following the presentation, there was a lively discussion and many interesting questions asked by our group. PNW members were delighted that the longest-serving SWG member, Terry Glenn, traveled to the meeting from Portland for the event along with Helen and Gilley!

The focus and heroine, Caroline Mytinger, was an early member of SWG! The time was 1930, just after she returned with her friend, Margaret Warner, from their 4-year journey to Melanesia followed by the first exhibition of the artwork at the American Museum of Natural History under the auspices of anthropologist, Margaret Mead.

There have been many articles written about the film project but I am so proud that Caroline’s very own chapter appeared in a book written by SWG member, Jane Eppinga, titled They Made Their Mark. It is a powerful record of 24 women who dared, who explored and who succeeded. Frequently mentioned in my lectures, Malvina Hoffman, sculptor, and Amelia Earhart, pilot, were early members of this prestigious organization.

I am proud to be a part of Society of Woman Geographers and look forward to more opportunities to meet some amazing female explorers, scientists and artists!  Thank you, Randa, for establishing the Seattle Chapter.