Key Takeaways:
- Birth and Early Life: Sherrill Redmon was born on February 6, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She grew up in a family that valued education, with her parents, Charles and Doris Redmon, fostering a love for learning in their children.
- Education and Academic Achievement: Sherrill attended Seneca High School in Louisville and later pursued higher education at the University of Louisville, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in American History from the University of Kentucky in 1974.
- Marriage to Mitch McConnell: Sherrill Redmon met Mitch McConnell while they were students at the University of Louisville. They married in 1968 and had three daughters together – Elly, Claire, and Porter. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1980, as McConnell’s political career placed strains on their family life.
- Career as a Feminist Scholar: Following her divorce, Sherrill Redmon initiateed on a distinguished career as a feminist scholar. She served as the director of the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History at Smith College, transforming it into a renowned repository documenting the lives and contributions of women from all backgrounds.
- Legacy and Influence: Sherrill Redmon’s feminist legacy is carried on by her daughters, who advocate for women’s rights and progressive causes. She has maintained a relatively low public profile in recent years, with rumors circulating about a possible memoir in the works.
Marriage to Mitch McConnell
Supporting McConnell’s Early Political Career
The marriage of Sherrill Redmon to Mitch McConnell began in 1968, after they met as students at the University of Louisville. As McConnell ventured into politics, Redmon stood by his side, supporting his early political campaigns, including his successful bid for Jefferson County Judge/Executive in 1977. Despite her later divergence from McConnell’s conservative politics, Redmon played a key role in promoting his early progressive stances during his political rise.
Divorce and Path to Independence
Following 12 years of marriage, Sherrill Redmon and Mitch McConnell divorced in 1980. After the divorce, Redmon launched on a new path focused on feminist scholarship and advocacy. She became the director of the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History at Smith College, transforming it into a renowned center for documenting the lives and contributions of women from diverse backgrounds. While McConnell remarried and continued his political career, Redmon pursued her passion for feminist activism and education.
Academic and Feminist Pursuits
Leading the Sophia Smith Collection
Little was known about Sherrill Redmon’s academic and feminist pursuits until she became the director of the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. During her 19-year tenure from 1993 to 2012, she transformed the collection into a diverse, internationally recognized repository documenting the lives and contributions of women from all walks of life.
Collaboration with Gloria Steinem and Feminism Advocacy
The academic and feminist pursuits of Sherrill Redmon included a notable collaboration with feminist icon Gloria Steinem on the Voices of Feminism Oral History Project, documenting the lives and insights of leading feminist activists. Steinem later praised Redmon’s dedication to women’s issues and her desire to be known for her own accomplishments rather than her past marriage to Mitch McConnell.
Personal Life and Legacy
Raising Feminist Daughters
For Sherrill Redmon, her legacy extends beyond her pioneering work in feminist scholarship to the impact she had on her three daughters – Elly, Claire, and Porter McConnell. As advocates for women’s rights and progressive causes, the McConnell sisters have inherited their mother’s passion for social change, each carving their own path in championing equality and justice.
Sherrill Redmon Net Worth
The enigmatic Sherrill Redmon has chosen to lead a private life, evading the spotlight and maintaining a low public profile. An intensely private figure, she has refrained from granting interviews or discussing her personal life at length. Despite rumors surrounding her well-being and potential memoir projects, Redmon remains a mysterious yet influential feminist figure. Her net worth as of 2024 is about $2 million.
Summing up
Sherrill Redmon, born on February 6, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, led a life marked by academic achievement, familial responsibilities, and a dedication to feminist scholarship. From her early childhood in a family that valued education to her pursuit of a PhD in philosophy and subsequent career at the Sophia Smith Collection, Redmon made significant contributions to women’s history and feminism. Her marriage to Mitch McConnell, their divorce, and her subsequent focus on feminist advocacy and scholarship shaped her legacy as an influential figure in the field. Through her daughters’ activism and her own accomplishments, Sherrill Redmon’s impact on women’s rights and progressive causes continues to resonate, underscoring her lasting influence as a respected feminist scholar and advocate.
FAQ
Q: When and where was Sherrill Redmon born?
A: Sherrill Redmon was born on February 6, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She is currently 80 years old as of 2023.
Q: What was Sherrill Redmon’s family background like?
A: Sherrill Redmon grew up in a family that valued education. Her parents were Charles Redmon, a businessman/dealer, and Doris Redmon, a piano teacher. She had three siblings – two sisters and one brother named Walter, David, and Lee Ann.
Q: Where did Sherrill Redmon attend school?
A: Sherrill attended Seneca High School in Louisville, Kentucky, for her early education. She later pursued higher education at the University of Louisville, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
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