Ladies of the Lights: Michigan’s Female Lighthouse Keepers Thursday, April 3rd, 7-8:30pm

Posted on March 3, 2025

Ladies of the Lights: Michigan’s Female Lighthouse Keepers
Thursday, April 3rd, 7-8:30pm
Littlefield Alanson Community Building

Presentation by Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan

For nearly 30 years, Dianna Stampfler – an author, freelance writer, and armchair historian – has been researching lighthouses around her home state of Michigan.

During that time, she’s been drawn to the stories of the dozens of women who served as keepers of these majestic beacons. As government employees, these women worked alongside men and were well respected within the industry. While keeping the lights burning, many also were wives and mothers, leaving a bright legacy in their wake.

They were women before their time, taking on the romantic, yet dangerous and physically demanding job of tending to the beacons that protected the shoreline. In all, some 40 women have been identified who excelled in this profession over the years — dating back as early as the 1840s and as recent as present day. Nearly 70 images of keepers, their families and their lights make up this presentation. The program includes readings from newspapers and autobiographies, as well as handouts including the list of featured ladies and additional reading references for attendees.

This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink.