Sister Spotlight: Gwen Frostic
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating a Sister from the Sorority’s archives of impactful women.
You may have heard of Gwen Frostic, Alpha, but do you know that she has her own official holiday in her home state of Michigan? Every May 23 since 1978 has been Gwen Frostic Day!
Frostic was an environmentalist, author, lecturer, and nature artist who joined AΣT’s first chapter in the 1920’s at what was then Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). She overcame struggles with an unknown illness with symptoms similar to cerebral palsy, and in 1964, opened her own studio and store in Benzonia, Michigan – which is still open today. Her work in linoleum block carving and printing brought her world-wide attention, along with recognition back home. In addition to Gwen Frostic Day, she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2007, her other alma mater, Western Michigan University, honored her by naming their art school the Gwen Frostic School of Art.
She passed away peacefully in 2001, one day before her 95th birthday. Ever the poet, she had long before written her own epitaph: “Here lies one doubly blessed. She was happy and she knew it.”
Do you know a Sister like Gwen? Share her story with us at communications@alphasigmatau.