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Returning to the Island

Erin Holdgate • March 7, 2023

By: Erin Holdgate, MMA Marketing Director

 

Growing up in landlocked Denver, everything I knew about the ocean I learned slowly over time, one week a year, when my family would visit the birthplace of my father—Nantucket. 

 

Nantucket is a natural wonderland to me. It's where my deep gratitude, respect, and love for the ocean was born. It's why I dreamt of becoming a marine biologist despite living some 800 miles from the closest coastline. And when I was laid off from my corporate marketing job in the early months of 2022, after spending two-plus years working from my compact Seattle apartment, Nantucket is where I knew I had to be next.

 

As a kid, everything about the island felt so foreign, and so hard to explain to my school peers back in the Rocky Mountain state. Although getting here is a journey in itself, the two-hour ferry ride was magical for me and all five of my senses. I'd get a seat on the top deck just to lean over the railing and watch the frothy waves slap against the side of the vessel; to feel the humid air take shape as beads of moisture on my forehead. And the salty air? It was unlike any other scent my olfactory system had the pleasure of knowing back in semi-arid Colorado.

 

I never became a marine biologist like little-kid me planned, but I was able to curate a college education that combined my love of natural sciences with my writing skills. This launched me down a career path that ultimately led me to my current role as the MMA's Marketing Director—a job posting that felt more like an empty seat at the proverbial table that I swore was waiting for me, and I it.

 

I came to Nantucket in May of 2022 in search of a post-pandemic reset, a summer job that didn't involve Zoom calls and my less-than-ergonomic home office setup. Through family, I was connected with the owner of Garden Group, who offered me a spot with his crews for the summer. As I became quicker at potting flowers and pulling weeds, I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I was handling roots all day, all the while getting in touch with my own.

 

I have a local last name, and had I been born here, I'd be a sixth-generation Nantucketer. But the longer I live here, the more I realize I don't know—about the island, its history, its people, its way of going about life. Let alone the endless natural areas, trails, parks, and beaches I have yet to explore.

 

I try to remind myself I'm in no rush to see it all, however. Mid-summer, when I told a friend I wanted to stay on the island beyond my summer job, she encouraged me to do so, telling me to be patient and "let the island show me" all of its opportunities.   

 

In the six months I've been at the MMA, I've used this as a mantra a time or two. Slow down, and allow the Grey Lady to reveal herself to me. 

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Women’s History Month

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • March 17, 2025
March is Women’s History Month (though all months should be women’s history month.) Maria Mitchell was one of the founders of the Association for the Advancement of Women (AAW), was its president (1875), and founded its Science Committee, which she chaired for the remainder of her life. When the fourth Congress of the AAW met in Philadelphia in October 1876, Julia Ward Howe (also a friend of Maria’s) was serving with Maria on the executive committee. Maria presented a paper, “The Need for Women in Science.” In it she stated, Does anyone suppose that any woman in all the ages has had a fair chance to show what she could do in science? . . . The laws of nature are not discovered by accidents; theories do not come by chance, even to the greatest minds; they are not born of the hurry and worry of daily toil; they are diligently sought, they are patiently waited for, they are received with cautious reserve, they are accepted with reverence and awe. And until able women have given their lives to investigation, it is idle to discuss the question of their capacity for original work. She is not saying that women cannot be scientists – she is saying they need to be given the opportunities. Maria was incredibly busy with the AAW – it took up a great deal of her time – and at the next meeting in November of that year some aspects of the meeting were wonderful according to her account –“excellent” papers, “newspapers treated us very well. The institutions opened their doors to us, the Centennial gave us a reception. But – we didn’t have a good time!” It appears there was discord among the women. A few opposed the subject of “Woman Suffrage,” but Lucy Stone was able to present her paper on the subject despite this. And, some women felt that the West was not well represented and was overshadowed by New England thus women representing the western states protested the nomination and election of Julia Ward Howe as president of the AAW. But she won. Whew! It was not always easy and controversies constantly abounded with many schisms over time within the women’s rights movement. I often wonder what Maria might think of the place of women today – how far things have come from her time or would she be surprised that there still can be inequality? In honor of Women’s History Month, take a look at other organizations that represent different women in our history and their legacies. A good place to start is the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites . JNLF

Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Welcomes Tara Riley, Emma Morgan, Dr. Rich Blundell, RJ Turcotte, and Charles Johnson and March Science Speaker Series

March 11, 2025
NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces that it will host Pam Murphy and Kim Shulam of the Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket (MMAN), as featured presenters for its February Science Speaker Series. Their presentation will take place on Wednesday, February 26 at 7pm via Zoom. This event is free to all. Join Pam Murphy, the MMAN Executive Director, and Kim Schulam, the MMAN Vice President and Stranding Coordinator, in a discussion on the importance of seals and other marine mammals in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem, and how we can all help keep these populations safe. The mission of the Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket is to monitor, rescue, and protect marine mammals on Nantucket, advocate for their well-being, and educate the public. MMAN belongs to the Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and is among thirteen organizations dedicated to protecting, rescuing, and advocating marine mammals along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine. You can learn more about the animals they rescue, their partner teams, useful tips, and statistical maps here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5d29b842996d44eea0c4517f71ecca4d Pam Murphy has been involved in animal rescue for many years, from creating a Be Kind to Animals Club at the age of seven, to being one of the founders of Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA) in 2011; serving eight years as board president. Her extensive board experience with TWN, NiSHA, and NAC put her in a solid position to manage MMAN’s board and see it develop into a stronger organization, capable of attracting the donor support the mission deserves. A lifelong vegetarian, Pam has never been able to stand idly by when an animal is suffering. To be allowed to approach injured and entangled marine mammals legally and help was what drew her to MMAN. She became Level A trained, learning to restrain and disentangle seals and went on to attend a Cetacean Stranding Workshop with IFAW. “I have learned a great deal about marine mammals and how to help through the vast knowledge of my teammates.” Kim Schulam began visiting Nantucket in 2013 and fell in love with the remote, natural qualities of the island. A Biological Sciences major in college, she initially considered the fields of Marine Biology or Veterinary Medicine but ultimately pursued a career as a Physician’s Assistant. Now retired from medicine, she met former Stranding Coordinator Scott Leonard and learned of MMAN. She immediately joined the team and became Level A trained. She regularly attends IFAW’s Marine Mammal Mass Stranding training, and is 24-Hour HAZWOPER certified for oil spill wildlife rescue. Now a full-time resident of Nantucket, she serves as the team’s Stranding Coordinator and Board Vice President. She coordinated MMAN’s first team-conducted large whale necropsy last year and works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to maintain the team’s Stranding Agreement as Nantucket's sole agency legally permitted to handle marine mammals. She feels strongly that humans have an obligation to marine life to help them survive given all we have done to injure them and destroy their environment. Pre-registration is required to attend Zoom. To register for Zoom, use the registration link below: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7UnSEop1RKyxgl0LBio2Kw#/registration This series is generously sponsored by our lead sponsor, Bank of America.  The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages ###
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