Jennifer Dawson, Educator and Oconee County native, will present “The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: First Elected U.S. Congresswoman and Georgia’s Adopted Daughter”; along with Memorabilia from Rankin’s connections with Oconee County……

AVOC

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February 24, 2010

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Celebration of Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin

- begins March 7 at Oconee County Library

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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Jeannette Rankin ca 1970

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During the month of March, 2010, the JR 130 Committee, supported by the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, the Oconee County Library and the Athens-Clarke County Library and others, will sponsor programs, presentations, lectures on the Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin 1880-2010.  The first event will be on March 7, 2010, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, at the Community Room, Oconee County Public Library, at 1080 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville, GA.   Jennifer Dawson, Educator and Oconee County native, will present “The Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin: First Elected U.S. Congresswoman and Georgia’s Adopted Daughter” along with Memorabilia from Rankin’s connections with Oconee County……

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Exhibit and Presentation on Rankin’s Georgia Connections – Jennifer Dawson

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Area residents will have an opportunity to see Jennifer Dawson’s collection of Rankin memorabilia and some things owned by Miss Rankin who spent much time in Oconee County over many years.   Jennifer’s collection was the subject of an Exhibit at the Georgia World Congress Center on November 13, 2009, at the annual conference of the National Council of Social Studies Teachers.  Miss Rankin was a native and maintained a ranch home in Montana throughout her life.  She was elected twice to Congress from Montana and was the sole vote against World War II on the day of President Roosevelt’s Day of Infamy speech after the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.

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11-27-09 Jeannette Rankin Exhibit at Georgia World Congress Center presented by Jennifer Dawson – Part 1

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11-28-09 Jeannette Rankin Exhibit at Georgia World Congress Center presented by Jennifer Dawson – Part 2

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Miss Rankin owned a home at Shady Grove, across from the Oconee County Middle School on Mars Hill Road.   She spent winters and much time at the home.  The site is marked with a Georgia Historic Marker.   Miss Rankin’s Will devised much of her Oconee real estate to benefit women who were seeking higher education and needed funding.   The funds became seed money for the Jeannette Rankin Foundation’s annual scholarship program that has benefitted many female scholars from all over the United States.   Copies of the Will, plat, pictures of Shady Grove and much more will be on display at the Oconee Library presentation on March 7, 2010.

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Jeannette Rankin Marker on Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville, GA

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On Sunday, March 14, at the Athens-Clarke Library, there will be a panel discussion on Rankin’s championing of Election Reform.    One panelist will be Dr. M. V. Hood, UGA Professor in Political Science, and resident of Oconee County.   On Sunday, March 21, an informal lecture will be presented at the Oconee Library by Dr. Joan Hoff, Research Professor, Montana State University.   On March 22, Dr. Joan Hoff will speak on the legal status of women at the University of Georgia Chapel.  On Sunday, March 28, a Deliberative Community Public Forum on Miss Rankin’s impact on America’s role in World Affairs.

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This is an opportunity for persons interested in American History from the Era of WW 1and WW II and later, to experience the Life and Legacy of Jeannette Rankin.   Miss Rankin had many friends at the University and in Oconee County.   Oconee residents will be able to identify with an important slice of history.

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Calendar Of Events March 2010 – Jeannette Rankin