An Afternoon with Jeannette Rankin: America’s First Congresswoman
This event is being held in partnership with the Jeannette Rankin Foundation as a part of their Legacy Lecture Series. Wine reception to follow.
FREE EVENT | COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS AND FREE PARKING
Performed by Mary Jane Bradbury
Event Summary
Born and raised a Montanan, Jeannette Rankin, who spent her last years in the greater Athens area, was the first woman to be elected to the United States’ Congress. Not only did she campaign tirelessly for herself and her fellow suffragists, but she would play a pivotal role in the framing and passing of our Constitution’s 19th Amendment that secured finally the Women's Vote. And without her in the Capitol’s well that day, there would not have been a single woman who cast the vote in favor of it.
The Jeanette Rankin Foundation in concert with the Athens Chautauqua Society are proud to introduce scholar and historic interpreter, Mary Jane Bradbury, to ably take on that very task.
Drawing on over 25 years as an author, educator, actress, Ms. Bradbury allows history to come to life as she fully embodies Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin, giving us a glimpse into the mind of the woman who devoted her life first to amending the Constitution, then championing the causes of women and children, and finally pacifism itself by voting twice not to send American men to fight in both of the twentieth century’s world wars.
What if we could understand her motivation to help amend our constitution, to disrupt the systems in place in order to pave the way for better ones? What would it mean to hear from Ms. Rankin herself? What might we in modern times take from her example so long ago?