AADL Talks To: Ingrid Sheldon, 59th Mayor of Ann Arbor, 1993-2000

Tue, 09/17/2024 - 8:58pm

In this episode, AADL talks to Ingrid Sheldon. Ingrid was Ann Arbor's mayor from 1993-2000. She was Ann Arbor's last Republican mayor and is remembered as a politician who did not stick strictly to party lines. Ingrid has also been a long time active member of the Ann Arbor volunteer and philanthropy communities who transitioned to politics after her involvement in the Ann Arbor Jaycees. She tells us about growing up in Ann Arbor township and attending its one room school, her appreciation for meeting and working with a diversity of people throughout the community, and her notable accomplishments.

There Went The Neighborhood - Studio Interview: Joetta Mial

Wed, 08/07/2024 - 2:04pm

Joetta Mial moved to Ann Arbor in the 1950s with her husband Harry Mial, who was the first Black teacher at Jones school from 1954 to 1957. Dr. Mial also pursued a career in teaching and became principal of Huron High School. She recalls conversations that were happening in the community about school desegregation.

This interview was filmed during the making of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School, produced by the Ann Arbor District Library and 7 Cylinders Studio. More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

AACHM Oral History: Laurita Thomas

Wed, 09/22/2021 - 11:02am

Laurita Thomas was born in 1950, and her family lived in southwest Detroit and Ontario, California. She attended the University of Michigan and pursued two master’s degrees from Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University. Throughout her career, Thomas has pushed for better career opportunities for women and women of color. She worked at U-M for 47 years, eventually serving as Vice President for Human Resources. A survivor of domestic violence, she regularly shares her story and was president of the board of Safe House Center in Ann Arbor.

View historical materials.

AACHM Oral History: Joetta Mial

Mon, 07/23/2018 - 3:52pm

Joetta Mial was born in 1931 in Jackson, Michigan, and later moved to Ann Arbor. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and spent her career as an educator in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. In 1987, Joetta became principal of Huron High School after serving as a teacher, administrator, counselor, and class principal at Huron and Pioneer High Schools.