Redlands Forum

Educational and cultural programs for the community to learn and engage with the important topics of our time. Founded in 2009.

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Esri Chief Scientist Dr. Dawn Wright wearing a pink blouse, and background designs of orange circles and semi circles.

  • About the Redlands Forum

    Throughout the year, presenters and attendees come to the Esri campus for discussions that bring awareness to issues and offer practical action items. Attend talks from anthropologists, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, journalists, performers, and more.

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  • How to attend

    Attend the Redlands Forum in-person and online. Registration is no cost thanks to Esri and the University of Redlands Town & Gown.

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    Explore the list of previous presentations and panels.

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Up next

The Only Woman Animator: Bessie Mae Kelley & Women at the Dawn of an Industry

Presented by Mindy Johnson, author and historian

May 6, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

In the earliest days of the animation industry, one woman animated, designed, and directed alongside many of the men who later became titans of an art form, yet her name and work have been lost from history, until now. Bessie Mae Kelley’s recently discovered films are determined to be the earliest surviving hand-drawn animations, animated and directed by a woman. Her pioneering work reached into the realms of arctic explorations, early animated mapping, and visual effects. Join award-winning author and historian Mindy Johnson as she once again transforms our collective animated past with the remarkable story of this game-changing pioneer of animation.

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A woman’s hand drawing an animation storyboard
A portrait of Mindy Johnson

Explore the past events and speakers

We've had an incredible program this year and are thrilled to bring you even more engaging events in the new year.

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Being in the Esri auditorium is to experience the world on a Redlands stage.

Margie Gifford, Attendee

Event sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for the support of this event.

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    Esri

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    University of Redlands

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    Town & Gown

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