What's happening: A fundraiser is being held from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, January 21, to raise money to build a statue honoring Anna Klobuchar Clemenc, known as "Big Annie." The fundraiser will include hors d’oeuvres, and the showing of "Red Metal" — a film about the Copper Country Strike of 1913. The event is being held at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock.
Who is Big Annie: Anna Klobuchar Clemenc, known as ‘Big Annie,’ was a newsworthy and notable young activist that spearheaded a labor movement to improve the working conditions for miners. This movement became known as the Copper Country Strike of 1913-1914, and the effects of the strike reached far beyond the bounds of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The organizer: The Big Annie Statue Fund Committee has organized this event to help raise funds to build a statue in Calumet to honor her legacy. The Annie Statue Fund is a special project of the Keweenaw Community Foundation.
About the foundation: The Keweenaw Community Foundation's vision is of a thriving community. To meet this vision of a thriving community, the foundation connects the needs of the community with resources to collaboratively improve quality of life in the Keweenaw. The Foundation collaborates with other organizations on a variety of community-wide initiatives such as accessibility, housing, and childcare; provides grants to local non-profit organizations, schools, and municipalities, and awards scholarships to local students; assists donors with their philanthropic goals to provide support for the community they love.
Other details: Four of Annie’s great-granddaughters will attend the event. Newly designed ‘Big Annie’ shirts will be available for purchase and a cash bar will be available. All attendees will be entered for a chance to win a special Door Prize with a $125 value! Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Tickets can be purchased here.
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