Wayward Girls of the Rogue Valley

Library partners with Southern Oregon Historical Society for local history program

Josephine Community Library and the Southern Oregon Historical Society have partnered to offer a local history program called “Wayward Girls of the Rogue Valley” at the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley branches during the Summer Reading Program.

During the program, Southern Oregon Historical Society’s archivist Jan Wright will explore the lives of Mattie Sisley, Sadie Hudson, and Ida Griner who lived in Jackson County from the 1880s to the 1920s and went astray from societal norms. Wright will talk about the contributing factors of the girls’ delinquency and attempted reforms to their behavior through case studies and a collection of letters.

Below is a schedule:
Grants Pass | Thursday, July 6 | 5–6:30 pm
Illinois Valley | Saturday, July 8 | 12–1:30 pm

This event is part of the 2023 Summer Reading Program. The 2023 theme is “Find Your Voice,” sponsored by the State Library of Oregon. The Summer Reading Program and related events are offered at no cost to participants. A library card is not needed to take part. To get a physical library card, community members can visit their preferred branch in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, or Wolf Creek during open hours. Annual library card sponsorship for children and adults who live in Josephine County, but do not live within the library district boundary are available thanks to funding from Josephine Community Library Foundation.

For more information about the 2023 Summer Reading Program and related events, visit josephinelibrary.org, email info@josephinelibrary.org, or call 541-476-0571.