Episode 7: The Voice of Suffrage

This week marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment which provided (white) American women the right to vote. As we reflected on the subsequent expansions and remaining limitations on women's ability to vote, we were struck by the gap in many English departments' own coverage of the topic. To start to fill this blind spot for ourselves, Paige and Margaret brainstorm potential courses that focus on the literature of women's suffrage. As we share our ideas for a variety of courses and approaches, we grapple with the historical and contemporary depictions of suffrage and how we can expand students' understanding of the suffragette. The literature of the suffragette demands that students consider our tough histories and the rhetorics used to (mis)represent them. This episode is a starting point for considering these important issues, but we are excited to hear from you! Share your experiences, questions and resources with us at [email protected] or tweet us @Literaturely101.