On Thursday, November 9, at 11 a.m., members and guests of the Sippican Woman’s Club will visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum, to hear about a newly developing program, “Lighting the Way – Historic Women of the SouthCoast."

The program will highlight women whose bravery, tenacity and commitment helped pave the way for much of New Bedford and the region’s success. Along with other South Coast women and organizations, several Marion women - Christina Bascom, Nancy Braitmayer, Priscilla Ditchfield and Mary Howland Smoyer have played major roles from inspiration to implementation of the “Lighting the Way” project.

Like the Nantucket women of the 19th Century, many of New Bedford’s women remained behind running or working in shops while their men were at sea on whaling ships. It was these women and others like Elizabeth Taber whose fortitude and determination contributed greatly to New Bedford’s economic success.

Following the the overview of “Lighting the Way”, participants will take a guided tour of “Thou Shalt Knot: Clifford W. Ashley” an exhibit that explores the work of master knot-tyer, maritime artist, historian and author Clifford W. Ashley (1881-1947). As this exhibition reveals, knots tie together both ancient and modern, the continuous thread running from antiquity to the modern-day fields of mathematics, physics, life sciences, materials engineering and art. The exhibit is augmented by Ashley’s artwork as well as other knot-tyers and artists.

Members and guests planning to attend are asked to RSVP to D. Bush (508) 748-1262. Participants wishing to carpool should meet at the parking lot across from the Marion Music Hall at 10 a.m.. Departure will be at 10:15 a.m. The group will assemble at the Whaling Museum at 10:50 a.m., for an 11 a.m. program start time. Guests are welcome and will pay the $13 admission fee. A light lunch will be available after the tour.

The Sippican Women's Club meets on the second Friday of the month, September through March, with an annual meeting on the last Friday in April. Meetings are open to anyone who is interested. Most meetings are held at the Women's Club clubhouse at 152 Front Street, Marion. For membership information, contact Jeanne Lake at (508) 748-0619 or visit www.sippicanwomansclub.org