Santa Monica's Amazing Women

Editor's Note: biographical information was provided by the Santa Monica History Museum.

The , as a partner with the Commission on the Status of Women and the , will celebrate women who made profound contributions to Santa Monica from 2 to 4 p.m. March 18 at 1350 7th St.

Many of women are pictured above. The photos are also on display in the foyer of the Santa Monica History Museum through the end of March in celebration of Women's National History Month.

Seats are limited for the March 18 event. For reservations,  email: info@santamonicahistory.org or call (310) 395-2290. Tickets are $5.

Not pictured above are Blanche Carter, Marion Davies and Mercedes Thorp and Ann Carlson Granstorm.

• Blanche Carter: School Board President: a leader and voice of the black community in Santa Monica at an important time when the city was undergoing growth and change. She was both the first black member of the school board as well as its first black president.
• Marion Davies: Actress: an astute business woman as well as an accomplished actress, she was known for her generosity. Her movie career began in 1917 and she made the transition to the “talkies”. Her final film was produced in 1937.  She was also famous for her romantic relationship with William Randolph Hearst.
• Mercedes Thorp and Ann Carlson Granstorm: Founders of Calthorp School (1939): in 1939, they founded the first private school in Santa Monica at 820 4th St. By 1941, their reputation increased and outgrew their facility, moving to their present location at 438 San Vicente St.