Dr. Emily E. VanDette
The next session of the Fredonia Brown Bag Lunch Series is on Wednesday, March 4.
The event, slated for noon in Williams Center S204-ABC, will feature Department of English faculty member Dr. Emily E. VanDette, who will deliver a talk titled, “The Clemens & Moffett Women in 19th Century Fredonia: The Local Impact of Mark Twain’s Family.”
In this presentation, Dr. VanDette will discuss the local activism and community organizing work of the women close to one of the most famous authors in American literary history. The talk will explore the woman-centered activism of Twain’s sister, Pamelia Moffett, and her daughter and granddaughter, Annie (Moffett) Webster and Jean Webster.
Following her son’s instincts that Fredonia would be the ideal setting for their relocation, Jane Clemens moved to this community in 1870, along with her daughter Pamelia Moffett and her children. Over the next couple of decades, Pamelia and Annie made their mark on the local community, contributing to grassroots movements, including the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the women's suffrage movement, and the WCA Home for elderly women. Annie’s daughter, Jean Webster, a graduate of Fredonia Normal School, would carry on the family tradition of activism and authorship, becoming a bestselling and beloved children’s author.
Beyond recounting this fascinating local history, Dr. VanDette’s talk will highlight the connections between the activism of the Clemens and Moffett women and Twain’s philosophical views and writing.
The series receives support from Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Andy Karafa, the Honors Program and the Faculty Student Association.
Additional support has been provided by the Carnahan Jackson Humanities Fund of the Fredonia College Foundation.
