Strange-but-true stories on the struggle for equality
Today’s post comes from Caroline Shanley from the National Archives History Office. This July commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. This gathering of prominent White feminists resulted in the Declaration of Sentiments, a list of demands to ensure the legal, political, and social equality … Continue reading Not Just Suffrage: Divorce and the Seneca Falls Convention
This June the National Archives is celebrating National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, which honors the important contributions that LGBTQ+ Americans have made to U.S. history and culture. Today’s post, from Alyssa Moore in the National Archives History Office, looks at tennis great Billie Jean King. Billie Jean King is a record-breaking … Continue reading Looking Beyond the “Battle of the Sexes”
Today’s post comes from Dena Lombardo, an intern in the Office of Public and Media Communications. Seventy years ago, Senator Margaret Chase Smith (R-ME) delivered her “Declaration of Conscience” speech, criticizing Senator Joseph McCarthy and his anti-communist campaign. Senator Margaret Chase Smith, ca. 1954 (Records of the U.S. Information Agency, National Archives) Her 15-minute speech … Continue reading Margaret Chase Smith: Breaking the Barrier
Today's post remembers Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It was adapted from a 2018 post when she visited the National Archives for a naturalization ceremony. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, affectionately known as RBG, was a frequent visitor and a good friend to the National Archives. Chief Justice William Rehnquist swearing in Ruth … Continue reading Notorious RBG Remembered
The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, but this landmark event was neither the beginning nor the end of the story for women and their struggle for the right to vote. Join us as we commemorate the centennial year of 2020 with 12 stories from our holdings for you to save, print, or share. August’s … Continue reading 19th Amendment at 100: The 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, but this landmark event was neither the beginning nor the end of the story for women and their struggle for the right to vote. Join us in 2020 as we commemorate this centennial year with 12 stories from our holdings for you to save, print, or share. June's featured image is of … Continue reading 19th Amendment at 100: Shirley Chisholm
The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, but this landmark event was neither the beginning nor the end of the story for women and their struggle for the right to vote. Join us in 2020 as we commemorate this centennial year with 12 stories from our holdings for you to save, print, or share. May’s featured image is of Mabel … Continue reading 19th Amendment at 100: Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
In celebration of Women’s History Month today’s Facial Hair Friday is in honor of a Beard: Mary Ritter Beard to be exact. Mary Ritter Beard was a historian, author, woman suffrage activist, social reformer, and archivist! Born Mary Ritter in 1876, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she met future husband Charles Austin Beard while attending college. After … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Mary Ritter Beard
Today's post comes from Jennifer Johnson, a curator at the National Archives at Kansas City. Willa Beatrice Brown is featured in the nationwide traveling exhibit One Half of the People: Advancing Equality for Women. Perhaps one of the less recognizable names, but certainly as noteworthy, she was a woman who achieved great success despite limited … Continue reading The Maker of Pilots: Aviator and Civil Rights Activist Willa Beatrice Brown
Today’s post comes from Vincent Bartholomew in the National Archives History Office. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the National Archives exhibit Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote highlights activists’ relentless struggle to secure voting rights for all American women. While most Americans consider voting fundamental to the enjoyment of … Continue reading Rightfully Hers: Woman Suffrage Before the 19th Amendment
