The Alternative Press

The Thursday Morning Club will welcome the New Year with “Virgins to Viragoes: Images of Women in Victorian Painting” presented by club member, Dr. Terry Kidner, following the club’s general meeting at 10 am Thursday, Jan 10, at the Madison Community House at 25 Cook Avenue.  Kidner’s program will offer both a chronological and thematic history of the ways in which women were imagined in Victorian art.   

Her talk will begin by examining the concepts of the distinct separation of the sexes, and their respective roles, in Victorian society.   Kidner will review the ways the paintings of the period trace the arc of marital pursuit and fulfillment—and its subsequent disappointments--as well on the ostracism of the women who did not  conform.

Kidner describes herself as a ‘late bloomer’ in her interest in the Victorian Period.  She specialized in medieval and renaissance studies, receiving  Master of Arts and doctorate degrees from Bryn Mawr (Pa.) College.  She noted, however, that her concerns with the roles of women in those periods have informed her focus on the nineteenth century.

She has taught at Salem (Mass.) State University, at Drew University in Madison, and most recently, at the all-girls Kent Place School in Summit.  “I loved teaching young women on the brink of their own identity,” Kidner observed.   Since her retirement, she has given presentations on Victorian and Edwardian topics in Australia, England, Cyprus, France, California, and British Columbia.  “It’s a great way to see the world,” she said.

On Thursday, Jan 17, the club’s Education Department will hold a game and dessert scholarship social for members at noon at the Community House to raise scholarship money for sponsorship of a Madison High School junior boy and girl.  The selected boy will attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) held at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, and the selected girl will attend Girl’s Career Institute (GCI) at Douglass College on the campus of Rutgers University.  Last year’s recipients, Aujer Ding and Celeste Post, will share their experiences. 

Next month, political cartoonist Paul Laud will be the speaker in a bit of a gender departure in the club’s ”Wise Wonderful Women” lunch and lecture series, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Thursday, Feb 21, at the Community House.  Laud’s “Behind the Ink” promises a lively and entertaining presentation of his artwork.  The program is open to the public and the registration fee of $35 includes lunch and the lecture.  Checks can be mailed to and made payable to “TMC, Wise Wonderful Women,” PO Box 345, Madison, NJ 07940. For additional information contact Rose Mary Dinnhaupt at rmdinnhaupt@verizon.net, or (973) 377-8508.

For information about the Thursday Morning Club or membership, call the Community House at (973) 377-0244 or visit www.TMCMCH.org.  Organized in 1896, the Thursday Morning Club is a member of both the New Jersey State and General Federation of Women’s Clubs.