07/01/2026
We did it — we reached our 30 for 30 fundraising goal!
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our 30th anniversary season by supporting the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus. Your generosity, encouragement, and belief in our mission helped make this milestone possible.
We are thrilled to share some spectacular photos from our anniversary concert, captured by the incredibly talented Sarah Cabala. These images beautifully reflect the passion, purpose, and song that filled the room.
And in case you missed it, we were also honored to welcome a representative from Governor Whitmer’s office, who surprised us with a special tribute recognizing this incredible milestone. We are so grateful for the acknowledgment and for the opportunity to celebrate 30 years of music and impact in our community. Here is a little of what the she had to say...
Good evening, everyone! My name is Carly, and I am delighted to be here with you this evening on behalf of my boss, Governor Gretchen Whitmer aka Big Gretch.
Tonight we gather, not just to hear beautiful music sung by beautiful people, but in the spirit of resilience. Now, for those of you that are familiar with my boss, you may have heard her speak about something very similar to resilience: grit. The Governor often brags about Michiganders and our grit. We persevere each day, despite not always knowing what lies ahead, or even fearing what does.
It is that persistence that has been the catalyst of change for as long as people have had the courage to continue. Resilience is not an option; it is a necessity. We must overcome adversity for ourselves, our loved ones, our community, and for the future.
You don’t have to know how to solve the world’s problems to create positive change. Sometimes it is the small acts that have the biggest impact: complimenting a stranger, offering to help a neighbor in need, or joining your voice with other women to use one of the most powerful gifts this world has: music.
While the Governor herself couldn’t join us this evening, I have a special tribute from her congratulating the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus on 30 amazing years!
LET IT BE KNOWN, That with great pride and deep appreciation, we present this tribute to honor the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus on its 30th concert season.
By bringing people together to stand ground for what is right, the chorus continues to make Michigan a more welcoming and supportive place for everyone. We thank the members for thirty years of dedication to community advocacy, resilience, and the musical arts.
IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, Therefore, this document is signed and dedicated to the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus in celebration of its 30th concert season. We thank its leadership, singers, and supporters for their decades of dedicated service to justice and music, and we wish them continued success.
With that, I encourage you all to continue showing up with kindness and care for those around you. Your courage, your passion, and your grit make you all truly resilient.
