KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The women who stepped up during World War Two and made guitars at the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo will be celebrated tonight at Bell’s Eccentric Café.
John Thomas wrote a book, “Kalamazoo Gals,” about them after finding a photograph.
Thomas says one of the women was Irene Stearns, who turns 103 on Thursday and is the last surviving woman who did the work.
He says the most remarkable thing he learned in his research was the women’s work was more refined than the work of the men before and after the war.
The event is a benefit is for Sounds of the Zoo, and there will be live local music and auction items available, including a guitar donated by Elderly Instruments in Lansing.
The trailer for the documentary film called “Kalamazoo Gals” will also be premiered tonight.
Thomas and Sounds of the Zoo founder Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert joined WKZO Kalamazoo Mornings with Ken Lanphear to talk about the event.
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