The Ebell of Los Angeles announced the women’s non-profit organization has raised over $100,000 to fund the launch of The Ebell Institute for the Study of Women’s History in LA through their 100 Extraordinary Women fundraising campaign over the past four months.
“We are very pleased to announce that we have exceeded our goal of 100 extraordinary women pledging $1000 to The Ebell Institute over the next five years,” Dr. Stacy Brightman, Executive Director of The Ebell of Los Angeles, told the Buzz. “We are thrilled that over 130 women have made donations to support our efforts to tell the stories of the women who built Los Angeles.”
The Ebell Institute is founded on the idea that “one cannot be what one cannot see,” and proposes to include modern scholars and artists who are trailblazing in their respective fields.
The Ebell was founded by a small group of women in 1894, when women did not have the right to vote, attend most colleges, or own property, explained Brightman. At the time, The Ebell addressed the ambitions of its members and the needs of the greater community by providing collective volunteer-led educational, cultural, artistic and civic opportunities. For more than 100 years, The Ebell has been guided by its original mission: to interest women in the study of all branches of literature, art, and science and the advancement of women in every branch of culture.
“Los Angeles has come a long way in recognizing the contributions of women since 1894, but there is still work to be done,” said Brightman. “Of the 1200 Historic-Cultural Monuments in Los Angeles, less than 3% were designated for women’s history or women’s achievements. The Ebell is proud that our historic campus is part of that 3%. We are committed to changing the narrative and to the advancement of women and marginalized peoples in all lines of culture here in the City of Angels.”
The Ebell will be hosting a celebration of their extraordinary donors on Thursday evening headlined by actress and Windsor Square resident Sharon Lawerence with remarks by Dr. Meredith Drake Reitan, Ebell’s first scholar in residence. Reitan is a planning historian whose work offers an account of the culturally-situated rhetorical work deployed by planners and other professionals involved in shaping the urban landscape. There will also be a musical performance with Sporano Maria Elena Altany, Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano Thalia Moore, accompanied by pianist, Kes Rose.
The Ebell Institute (TEI) seeks to become a resource for sharing knowledge about historical Los Angeles women who built the city as we know it today.
The Ebell Institute is an umbrella for six major initiatives:
- Yearly Symposium: Annually, The Ebell will host a rigorous intellectual gathering of local scholars, artists, and culture bearers for public conversations, expert-led panels, keynote speakers, and exhibits revealing the hidden history of Los Angeles women.
- Artist & Scholar in Residence: The Ebell will hire an artist, scholar, and graduate scholar in residence, investing in women’s academia and research with particular emphasis on underrepresented communities. Residents will gain a platform and funding for their work, as well as help curate the symposium and 4-6 public scholarship events.
- Open Access to Collections: In coordination with The Ebell’s Historic Collections Committee and subcommittees, staff, and archivist, TEI will spearhead efforts to catalogue The Ebell’s vast historic collections and make materials and artifacts regularly accessible on-site to scholars and the county’s 63 colleges.
- Living Herstory: The Living Herstory project offers free, historical matinees to local elementary schools, spotlighting the often-overlooked histories and achievements of women in Los Angeles, with a plan to unfold 10 decade-specific plays in the series. The first play in the series, “The Everywhere of Her,” premiered in March 2023 and was presented to over 2500 local students. The next series of Free Herstory Student matinees will be offered throughout March 2024.
- Docent Tours: The Ebell will grow a dedicated team of trained volunteer docents to lead informative tours of The Ebell’s historic campus. These public tours, available by reservation, provide open access to one of LA’s most extraordinary landmarks.
- Oral History Project: In collaboration with its membership and community partners, The Ebell will document, record, and disseminate voices and narratives of 20th-century Los Angeles women. The initiative will chronicle the lesser-known women’s history of one of the largest cities in the world and protect this knowledge for generations to come.
TEI is overseen by The Ebell’s Executive Director, Dr. Stacy Brightman, in coordination with The Ebell Board of Directors and an Institute Advisory Committee. Additionally, The Ebell will identify scholars, experts, panelists, volunteers, and attendees through its robust network of 55 partner organizations, including the National Women’s History Museum, Look What She Did, The Geena Davis Institute, and the Girls Academic Leadership Academy.
Donations to The Ebell Institute are welcome.
