NORTHVILLIAN 3/24/2026
Friday was the first day of Spring, charting only 92 days before Summer … I truly believe we’re ready for the Sun to warm us, just like it teased us this past weekend. As we begin Spring, we celebrate March as Women’s History Month. In honor of this, I will highlight some standout Northville women who have truly made a difference, locally and globally.
MARCH WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH:
Today, I would like to highlight some special women close to home, including Alice Beal, Mary Lapham, Mary Gilbert, former Governor Jennifer Granholm and business leaders such as Mary Barra (CEO-GM) … notably, all are Northvillians.
Before reviewing Northvillian Women who have made a difference, let’s see what’s happening in town today:
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 3/23/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair)
- Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 5/6/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
Let’s look at Northvillian Women who have made a difference Locally & Nationally over time…
Sarah Ann Cochrane (1832-1917) – Sarah’s father pastored the New School Church (in Mill Race Village today). She taught at the Northville Academy (Randolph St.) and was instrumental in organizing the Detroit Public Library. The Northville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is named in her honor.
Alice Beal in 1869 was the first (and only) NHS graduate. She was the daughter of the owner of the Globe Furniture Factory (largest school & church furniture factory in the world at one time), located in Bealtown.
Dr. Mary Lapham (1860-1936) – She operated/owned Lapham State Bank in Northville and started the Library Association, donating a facility for it (New School Church building). She was the founder of the Woman’s Club, served in WWI, became a doctor at 40 and was an innovator in the treatment of tuberculosis globally.
Ida B. Cooke (1889-1974) – A beloved Northville teacher & coach (for whom Cooke School was named), Ida inspired many women in Northville. She was friends with my mother and grandmother who were part of the Business & Professional Women’s Club in town. She inspired my mother to go on to Business School in the 1930’s and also to become a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII.
Mary Gilbert – was an inspiring educator at the turn of the century, despite going deaf. Her compassion for others, especially those less fortunate during the Great Depression, was legendary. She built a log cabin on River St. which has been relocated and will be used as a museum/comfort station at our award-winning Riverwalk Park.
Also, a notable mention – Katherine Stinson (National Aviation Hall of Fame) was the inspiration for her brother Eddie, who lived in Orchard Heights and pioneered an aircraft business in Northville producing the first single-wing enclosed planes here. Today, they are on display at the Smithsonian and the Henry Ford Museum.
Many other distinguished women from town have made a difference both nationally and globally, including former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Michigan’s 47th Governor Jennifer Granholm and General Motors CEO Mary Barra and others.
Strong Northvillian women own a great percentage of local businesses including:
- Genitti’s (Toni, now Laura) / Casterlines (Roxanne, Lindsey & Courtney) / Long Mechanical (Allison) / Stampeddler (Margene Buckhave) / Table 5 & Lucy & The Wolf (Mishelle Lussier) / Rebecca’s Restaurant (Rebecca Good) / Orin Jewelers (Antoinette Mazzoni Kramar)
- Water Wheel Centre (Diane Cox) / Little Salumi (Jessica Poole) / Tuscan Cafe (Jayme Hundley) / Northville Gear (Genna Davis) / Wagon Wheel (Sandy Ronk) / Studio 170 (Tita Daskal) / Adorn Fine Flowers (Alicia Racine)/ Dancing Eye Gallery (Theresa Schierloh) / Dear Prudence (Prudence Kauffman)/ Kiss My Lash (Jennifer Nguyen) / Celebrity Pets (Shauna Parzuchowski) / Mi Skin Center (Dr. Francisca Kartono) / Kilwins (Keleigh Styles)
- Two Spiritual organizations in town have strong women leading them – Jacqueline Spycher @ the First Presbyterian Church and Margie Crawford @ FUMC Northville.
- Other businesses include: The Hair Foundation, B’s Salon, Northville Nails, Gazelle Sports, Twisted Cork, Broughton Music, New Body Therapeutics, Kiloh & Co., Tre Bella V, The Bee’s Knees, Baby Baby, Inform Studio, McKenna Associates, Salvatore Prescott, Golden Roots, The Stitching Post, and many others!
Keep that Northville Women’s History Month Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville