Local group formed to honor activist “Big Annie”
HANCOCK – A fundraising campaign is in motion to commission and install a statue honoring activist Anna Klobuchar Clemenc, affectionately known as “Big Annie,” in Calumet, Michigan. Anna became famous for leading the daily parade of thousands of miners down the streets of Calumet during the Copper Country Strike of 1913-1914. She demanded fair wages, mine safety, and social justice for miners and their families. “Big Annie” has been recognized as one of the most notable activists in the early development of the U.S. labor movement.
A local advisory group has created a Special Project Fund with the Keweenaw Area Community Foundation and will collect donations for the building of the statue. The group has received many quotes for such a statue and hopes to raise $150,000 to make the statue a reality. “We are really excited to see such an enthusiastic group coming together to spearhead this project. We look forward to supporting the community in remembering one of our local legends,” says Robin Meneguzzo, Executive Director of the Keweenaw Area Community Foundation.
Village of Calumet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chair Leah Polzien says the statue is a great fit for the Downtown Greenspace project. The Greenspace project, scheduled for construction summer of 2023, is a renovation of three lots in the 300 block of 5th and 6th Streets.
"When Vada Riederich came to the Village [of Calumet] with her idea to honor Big Annie, I thought, 'We've got the perfect spot,'" said Polzien. She continued, "the redeveloped Greenspace is really an ideal location for a statue honoring Annie Clemenc, it puts her back in the heart of our community, right where she made her mark."
Megan Haselden, the Calumet Village Manager adds, “Big Annie Clemenc was a labor activist and a women’s rights advocate during a pivotal time in our region. She is a historical icon in the Village of Calumet and we are proud to support the statue project to honor her legacy and to remind everyone what an amazing force she was.”
Vada Riederich, the lead organizer of this initiative, feels passionate about this project.
“Sometimes referred to as the ‘Joan of Arc’ of Calumet, Annie Clemenc is honored on the State and National level. Locally, her legacy should not be forgotten,” Riederich says about her motivation to embark on this project.
The Advisory Committee is seeking support to spread the word and collect donations to help support their mission of building the Big Annie Statue in Calumet.
Look for the Keweenaw Area Community Foundation and Team “Big Annie” at Bridgefest 2023.
To learn more about “Big Annie”, and to donate to the “Big Annie” Statue Fund, visit www.keweenawgives.org/big-annie.
About the Keweenaw Area Community Foundation
Keweenaw Area Community Foundation is a community foundation whose purpose is to improve all aspects of the Keweenaw and assist our donors in achieving their philanthropic goals. We are an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula (CFUP), a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.
If you have any questions, please write mail@keweenawgives.org or call 906-482-9673.
