Shattering the Lens Exhibit highlights Women Light Keepers

NEW YORK - EntSun -- With so much talk about the gender wage gap today, it's hard to imagine that back in the 1800's there wasn't a wage gap for women lighthouse keepers.

In fact, at one time Ida Lewis was the highest paid lighthouse keeper. She even became the first woman to receive a gold Congressional Medal for lifesaving. Despite this, Lewis received the criticism that it was unladylike for women to row boats.

"Shattering the Lens" an exhibit debuting Sept 24-October 20 at the National Lighthouse Museum in Staten Island, New York sheds light on the dynamic impact of female lighthouse keepers. The exhibit is inspired by the book "Women Who Kept the Lights" by Mary Louise Clifford and J. Candace Clifford.

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Candace was an invaluable resource to the lighthouse community. The permanent displays at the National Lighthouse Museum were set up with her assistance. This exhibit features original, mixed media paintings by Lighthouse Artist, Elaine Marie.  The art show details the lives of women light keepers and assistant light keepers.

See more of her evocative art the "Voices of Lighthouses" exhibit, Sept 21-October 20. Like the pulsing rays from the lens, each painting releases the soul of a lighthouse.

For details on the "Voices of Lighthouses" and "Shattering the Len" exhibits,  visit http://www.lilacpreservationproject.org/upcoming-exhibition