Women I Wish I Knew Series Kicks Off in May

AARP Wyoming will host a historical lecture webinar series called, ‘Women I Wish I’d Known,” from May through July, featuring women who did everything from teaching in Alaska to carry pet snakes. The events are free and you don’t need to be an AARP member to take part.

How to Join
To register for any of these lectures, simply click on any of the events linked below. These links will take you to an aarp.org account, or allow you to create an account to register. Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session.

About the series
May 22 at 9 a.m. - The series kicks off on May 22 as we learn more about Hannah Breece. In the early 1900s, Hannah Breece left behind a comfortable life to teach in Alaska’s remote native villages. She faced extreme cold, isolation, and skepticism from the communities she sought to help. Yet, she remained determined, overcoming harsh conditions to educate children who desperately needed a teacher.

June 5 at 9 a.m. - Our second edition of Women I Wish I Knew will feature Sarah and Elizabeth Delany, black professionals and authors. They were born in the late 19th century, defied expectations as Black women pursuing professional careers—one as a teacher and the other as a dentist. They never married and lived together for over a century, sharing their wisdom and experiences through bestselling books that chronicled their remarkable lives.

June 19 at 9 a.m. - Mary Kinglsey and her experiences in Africa headline the June 19 event. Mary Kingsley traveled to Africa in the 1890s intending never to return. Instead, she fell in love with the continent and its people, challenging European misconceptions. She lived among local tribes, opposed colonial oppression, and wrote groundbreaking accounts that reshaped how Africa was perceived.

July 3, at 9 a.m. - Attendees will learn more about Lady Duff Gordon on July 3. Gordon transformed from a self-taught seamstress to a leading fashion designer with her Maison Lucile label. Her designs influenced early 20th-century style, but her legacy was clouded by scandal after she and her husband survived the Titanic, facing public scrutiny over their lifeboat escape.

July 17, at 9 a.m. - Fashion has always been important and on July 17, learn more about Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, who rose from suspicion to a beloved fashion icon during France’s Second Empire. She wielded influence in politics and style, but as war with Prussia led to France’s downfall, critics blamed her. Was she truly at fault, or was she a scapegoat for a doomed empire?

July 31, at 9 a.m. - While the life of President Theodore Roosevelt is well-known, his daughter Alice may have been just as fascinating. From carrying a pet snake to speaking her mind on politics, she refused to conform. Even her father admitted he couldn’t control her. Discover how Alice became a force in Washington society.

About the Lecturer
Carol Chapman considers writing her fourth career following her years as an elementary school teacher, the financial manager for a small trucking company, and as her husband’s caregiver. When she isn’t writing, Carol loves reading, movies (especially the popcorn), lunching with friends, volunteering, making collages, and dark, rich chocolate anytime, anywhere. Stories about ordinary women who discover their strengths are her favorites ranging from memoir, light mysteries, and historical fiction. Books spill out of her home. Carol lives with her favorite guy, Barney Pembroke Welsh Corgi Chapman, in her native state of Wyoming.

Explore other Wyoming events and visit AARP Wyoming on Demand to view recordings of any Wyoming classes. For more information, contact Jennifer Baier at jbaier@aarp.org.