Dedicating Anna's Statue

Today at 11:00 a.m. we dedicated a statue in honor of Anna Garrity, who for over 20 years served as Keeper of the Range Light at Presque Isle Harbor.

Last night Attila inspects the Anna statue before it is
moved to its permanent location at the Range Light Park.

Before the event several friends posed in Victorian era
costume, delighting the camera person from Channel 11.

Anna's plaque gives thanks for all women keepers
on the Great Lakes.  She served as Keeper of the
Presque Isle Harbor Range Light from 1903-1926.

A range light consists of two lights, both green, separated by a certain distance.  When the two lights are aligned vertically, the operator of a boat can safely proceed into harbor.  If the lights are not aligned, he may soon find himself aground.  Even in our GPS age, range lights remain an important aid to navigation.  Keeping the lights burning and in good repair was, and still is, a major responsibility in Great Lakes commerce and pleasure boating.  Traditionally, most range light keepers, like keepers of lighthouses, were men.  But not all!

In the 19th century few women held U.S. Government jobs, and those who did were typically in clerical positions.  However, a few women found work as lighthouse keepers.  Often a woman keeper was the spouse of a head or assistant keeper who fell ill or died.  Yet some women were appointed on their own merits, and served their country with distinction.

After the dedication, Sharon (right) made sure that Debbie,
the project's prime mover, got properly thanked.

Anna Garrity's relatives, many who still live in the Alpena
area, happily showed up for the event.

Dawn Barr, the sculptor, looks over Anna after the
dedication.  Any woman who sculpts in high carbon steel
deserves considerable respect!

In my comments this morning I pointed out that this small group of female keepers included Ida Lewis at the Lime Rock Light Station off the coast of Maine, and Katherine Walker at the Robbins Reef Light Station in New York Harbor.  Both women repeatedly had occasion to save sailors and fishermen, doing so at considerable risk to their own lives.  Both have had U.S. Coast Guard Buoy Tenders named after them.

Many keepers lived in isolated locations.  Their work was physically demanding.  In fair weather or foul, in winter and summer, in sickness or in health, they had to do their work because lives depended on those lights being lit.  Women like Anna Garrity did all that and, quite often, took care of their children, too.  These intrepid women were real trailblazers. •••