DAPHNE, Alabama - Dr. Grace James, retired Vice President of Academic Affairs for South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia, was the guest speaker for the November meeting of the Daphne Women’s Study Club. Dr. James gave a presentation on the famous photograph, “The Kiss,” taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt in Times Square on August 14, 1945, as the world celebrated VJ Day (Victory over Japan). The photo has become a cultural icon.

A 26 foot statue of “The Kiss” now stands in Times Square. The participants in the kiss were strangers and went their separate ways, but in the late 1970’s the nurse was identified as Edith Shain, who died in June 2010. The kissing sailor was finally identified as Glenn McDuffie in 2007.

The meeting was held in the home of Rebecca Canale, where members and guests enjoyed refreshments prepared by hostesses Cathy Olds, Carol Newell, Barbara Pollock, and Glenda Murphy.