The Real Story of Women Gaining the Right To Vote
Original Womens Suffrage Poster (c. 1905)
by Evelyn Rumsey Cary (1855-1924)
You will get the truth at this event.
Commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment (Women's Right to Vote), Eva Mo, professor
of women's history and women's studies at MJC, will be sharing passages from her recently
published book, which reveals the real story and many unknown facts that led to the
fight for this important right for women.
"The ideals of equality and opportunity occurred in the public space, and were for
white men. Good moral women confined themselves to the domestic space, and home was
still defined by patriarchy. In fact, women who did not restrain themselves this way,
who asserted themselves into the public space of politics and business, were likened
to street walkers, the most public of “women’s occupations.”
Taking on her husband’s political identity would not pose a problem if he was an American.
However, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, and codified by the Expatriation
Act of 1907, if he was an alien, then she lost her American citizenship. This place
her in the political stance of statelessness, sometimes called suspended citizenship.
She had no country that recognized her, that protected her. Other countries had no
obligation to accept her. In the U.S. she was considered an alien, just as he was."
In addition, a panel of faculty will respond from a variety of perspectives, including
political, historical and cultural, in order to address relevant contemporary issues.
These professors will be: Eileen Kerr, Chad Redwing, Kerri Stephens and RaeAnn Ramsey.
There will be a Q & A session. This event is FREE and OPEN to MJC students the the
community at large.
For further information:
(208) 575-6105 - Eva Mo
moe@yosemite.edu