South Dakota Ag Connection - Heritage Center Offers Women's Suffrage Zoom Program

South Dakota Ag News Headlines

Heritage Center Offers Women's Suffrage Zoom Program
South Dakota Ag Connection - 10/22/2020

Dr. Claire Jerry, lead curator of political history in the Division of Political and Military History at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, will be making a presentation via Zoom about women's suffrage Oct. 25, courtesy of the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

There is no charge to participate in the 2 p.m. CDT program, "Suffrage's Top 10: Activists and Artifacts," which anyone may attend from any location with a computer and a Zoom account. Those interested should email Museum Director Jay Smith (Jay.Smith@state.sd.us) anytime in advance of the program to receive a direct invitation to join the webinar.

Jerry will be presenting from her office in Washington, D.C. Attendees will be able to ask questions via chat at the end of the presentation.

The program will feature people and materials important to the suffrage movement. The number of suffragists who are household names is small, and their material history has been even more hidden. While acknowledging the famous, this presentation will introduce additional suffrage activists whose contributions should be remembered and the objects they used on their way to victory.

Jerry's program coincides with the special exhibit "'The Right is Ours': Women Win the Vote" now on display in the Observation Gallery at the museum through Nov. 3.

Jerry specializes academically in 20th- and 21st-century campaigning and the history of the presidency.?Her previous positions include chief curator of Collections and Research at McKissick Museum and guest curator at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum.?Prior to entering the museum field, she was professor of history and communication at MacMurray College.?Jerry holds a Ph.D. in rhetoric and public address and master's degrees in public history and speech communication.

"We are especially excited to bring Claire Jerry to Pierre, even if it is digitally," said Smith. "Her insights into suffrage will be lively, entertaining, and insightful. And, you can watch the program from the comfort of your own home, office, or wherever you go for digital programming. There will not be a program at the Cultural Heritage Center on Oct. 25, but we do encourage all visitors to come in and view the suffrage exhibit before it closes on Nov. 4."

The museum is open 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday, and 1-4:30 p.m. CDT on Sundays and most holidays. Museum admission is now free for all South Dakota residents. Call 605-773-3458 for more information about exhibits, special events, and upcoming activities, or visit history.sd.gov/museum.

Other South Dakota Headlines