Dawn Duncan – Clara Dillon Darrow: Pioneering Woman
Dr. Dawn Duncan performs her one-woman show, “Clara Dillon Darrow: Pioneering Woman” about a historical Red River Valley region woman. The show explores Ms. Darrow’s passionate pursuit for her right to vote in the late 19th and early 20th century. Clara Darrow, the daughter of Irish immigrants – and cousin to both Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Clarence Darrow, was the President of the regional League for Women’s Voters, a leading citizen in Western Minnesota and the Dakota Territories, and the mother of sons who would become the founders of the Dakota Hospital System. From farm wife to political presence, she remains a model of the responsibly engaged citizen. Dr. Duncan was commissioned to write this show by Bonanzaville and the Cass County Historical Society. She has performed her one-woman show across the Red River Valley region and at a national Irish Studies Conference hosted at University of Oregon. Dr. Duncan is a professor at Concordia College in Moorhead where she teaches English and Global Studies and specializes in post-colonial Irish literature. She is the author or editor of numerous books. Her play is about a half hour long, and she will follow the performances with a discussion of the historical era and how to use the library to research material for inclusion in writing – both prose and plays. In addition to being a lauded professor and writer, Dr. Duncan is also an accomplished actress, and she has performed all over the world.
Event Dates and Locations:
06/15/2010 – Halstad LINK Site
06/17/2010 – Lake Park LINK Site
06/21/2010 – Fertile Library/McIntosh Library
06/24/2010 – Hawley Library
06/25/2010 – Bagley Senior Center/Fosston Library
06/28/2010 – Cormorant LINK Site
06/29/2010 – Moorhead Library
06/30/2010 – Mahnomen Library/Ada Historical Village
08/24/2010 – Detroit Lakes Library
342 people attended these performances.
Attendance by location was:
Ada Historical Village (30),
Bagley Senior Center (25),
Barnesville Library (18),
Detroit Lakes Library (50)
Fertile Library (28),
Fosston Library (21),
Hawley Library (19),
Mahnomen Library (7),
McIntosh Library (17),
Moorhead Library (30),
Cormorant LINK Site (16),
Frazee LINK Site (13),
Halstad LINK Site (45),
Lake Park LINK Site (2),
Rothsay LINK Site (21)
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, post-test; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or StatusAudience/participants will learn the following through this presentation:• About history of the Red River Valley Region• About Clara Dillon Darrow as an historical figure• About the suffragist movement• About professional performance• About how to use the library to research for writing purposes• About how to craft research into writing projects
A Summary of surveys from the program is:Please rate the quality of this program: Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor.
- 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (1), 4 - (15), 5 - (95), Average (4.85)
What did you like best about the program?
- The presenter (16)
- It was very engaging (2)
- Loved the conversation that followed (2)
- Performance time/length was perfect
- Everything (12)
- Very informative/interesting (31)
- Integration of historical & person (15)
- Q&A time (3)
- Personal connection to Clara (12)
- Historical topic and excellent delivery (8)
- Imitate setting/skit (2)
- Local history
- Contact with the audience (4)
- Energy (2)
- It was easy to hear and understand (2)
- Her enthusiasm (5)
- It was memorized - not read - so personalized
- "Flow" of the content
- Graciousness of performer
- Costume
- The idea of "becoming" a real historical person
- Learning about the struggles of women getting to vote and knowing we should appreciate what they did!
- Excellent information
- I enjoyed her captivating voice expression and how she became the character
- It's very detailed
What would you change about the program?
- Nothing (56)
- More discussion time
- More seating
- More detail about everyday life and struggles (2)
- Time of day is limiting (2)
- Speak slower
- More audience participation
- It was A okay
- More interaction w/children (Just ask them to vote on something so they understand the topic)
- Longer with more theatrical
- Pictures (2)
- I wouldn't change a thing!
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- Women of Swedish heritage
- Others that are performance and conversation based
- Plays
- More like this (8)
- More history events (16)
- Comical skit of 2/3 persons
- Minnesota lore
- Authors (3)
- Musical programs (2)
- More people giving talks, etc. (4)
- Anything/Variety (2)
- Writing & publishing
- Local history of the Red River Valley (6)
- Anne Frank
- Literature
- Play acting
- Discussion groups
- Things that will attract all ages
- Educational that would be of interest to all ages
- Book discussions
- I'm not sure
Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library?
- Yes (51), No(57)
How did you hear about the program?Program flier - 20Information/poster at the library - 20Information/poster in the community - 16Library newsletter - 8Library web site - 3Newspaper/magazine - 64Radio - 7Television - 5From library staff - 29From another person - 30 Check your age range:Birth to 5 (2), 6-17 (6), 18-54 (13), 55 and over (88) What is your zip code? 56560 (8) 56544 (7) 56547 (1) 56579 (7) 56543 (1) 56520 (2) 56542 (6) 56684 (1) 56501 (1) 56573 (2) 56528 (1) 56587 (1) 56514 (8) 56512 (1) 56646 (2) 56736 (3) 56556 (3) 56549 (6) 56511 (2) 56557 (4) 56621 (19) 56676 (1) 56510 (15) 56589 (2) 37014 (2) 56540 (3) 98110 (1) 98370 (1)