LADIES OF THE LIGHTS: Community Lecture Series at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

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. Among the women featured is Elizabeth (Whitney) Van Riper Williams who worked 44 years between the St. James Harbor Light on Beaver Island and the Little Traverse Lighthouse in Harbor Springs. Considered the matriarch of Michigan’s lighthouses, Elizabeth’s induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in November 2024 is a testament to her noteworthy career as well as the lives of her fellow female keepers.