Sherill Redmon is a retired feminist scholar and former director of the Sophia Smith Women’s History Archives Collection at Smith College.
She is also known as the first wife of Mitch McConnell, leader of the Republican Party in the US Senate.
She has participated in various projects and initiatives aimed at documenting and preserving the history of women’s movements and activism in the United States and around the world.
File
- Full name: Sherill Ann Redmon
- Date of birth: February 1943
- Age: 81 years old
- Female
- Place of birth: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Feminist historian, archivist, educator
- Height: 1.75 m
- Parents: Charles Redmon and Doris Redmon
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Mitch McConnell (d. 1968; div. 1980)
- Children: Eleanor McConnell, Claire McConnell, Porter McConnell
- Relationship status: Divorced
- Net worth: $1.5 million
Early Life & Education
Sherill Redmon was born in Louisville, Kentucky in February 1943. She was the daughter of Charles and Doris Redmon, both educators.
She grew up in a middle-class family and attended public schools in Louisville. She graduated from Atherton High School in 1961 and enrolled at the University of Louisville, where she majored in history.
She received her bachelor’s degree in 1965 and continued her studies at the University of Kentucky, where she earned a master’s degree in 1967 and a Ph.D. in American history in 1974.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on the role of women in the abolitionist movement in Kentucky.
Personal life
Sherill Redmon married Mitch McConnell, a fellow student at the University of Kentucky, in 1968. They have three daughters: Eleanor, Claire, and Porter.
The couple moved to Washington, DC in 1970, when McConnell began his political career as an assistant to Senator Marlow Cook.
Redmon worked as a research assistant at the Library of Congress and taught history at Northern Virginia Community College.
However, their marriage deteriorated and they divorced in 1980. Redmon moved to Massachusetts with her daughters and settled in Northampton, where she became director of the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College.
She has not remarried since her divorce and has kept a low profile in the media. She has supported her daughter’s career and interests, such as Eleanor’s work as a public health advocate, Claire’s involvement in the Democratic Party, and activism for economic justice by Porter.
Career
Sherill Redmon has had a distinguished career as a historian, archivist, and feminist educator.
She joined the Sophia Smith Women’s History Archives Collection at Smith College in 1983 and became its director in 1985.
This collection is one of the oldest and largest archives of women’s history documents in the United States, containing more than 700 collections of personal papers, organizational records, oral histories, and photographs. , audiovisual materials and publications.
Redmon oversees the collection, preservation and access of these materials as well as the development of exhibitions, publications and educational programs.
She also initiated and led several projects to document and celebrate the history of women’s movements and activism, such as the Feminism Oral History Project, the Digital Collection The Print Culture of the Women’s Liberation Movement, the Women of Color Oral History Project, and Gloria Steinem. Papers Project.
She collaborated with famous feminists such as Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Angela Davis, Alice Walker and Bell Hooks to collect and share their stories and contributions.
She retired from Smith College in 2012 and received an honorary degree for her service and leadership.
prize
Sherill Redmon has received several awards and honors for her work as a feminist historian and archivist, such as:
- The 2013 Smith College Medal recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, profession or the world.
- The 2012 American Archives Association Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the archival profession.
- The Oral History Association’s 2008 Elizabeth B. Mason Award recognizes major contributions to the field of oral history.
- The 2006 Organization of American Historians Women’s Caucus Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the historical profession.
Net value
Sherill Redmon’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million, although she has not disclosed her income or assets to the public.
Social Media
- Instagram handle name: Not applicable
- Twitter name: Not applicable
