Episode 10: Women and Politics in the South
From the Southern Oral History Program, this is Press Record: a podcast about the joys and challenges of learning history by talking to those who lived it.
Episode 10: Women and Politics in the South
We’re back at Press Record featuring a discussion of oral history and women in politics in the South
This past election season was historic; it was the first time a major party has nominated a female candidate for President and the second time in recent history when a woman has launched a Presidential campaign. In the wake of this moment, we present a podcast focusing on Southern women in politics.From fighting for the ballot to running for office, Southern women have been on the frontlines of many flash-points in women’s political history. Oral histories offer a particularly rich way to understand these experiences.
Eva Clayton’s campaign lapel pin
In this episode, we’ll first hear from field scholar Taylor Livingston about women and the fight for suffrage. Included in this segment is a captivating story about South Carolina suffragist named Eulalie Salley. Next, Carol and Rachel discuss clips from the SOHP archives that illuminate why women decided to run for office in the South. Interviewees featured include Grace Towns Hamilton, the first African American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly, Isabella Cannon, the first woman mayor of Raleigh, and Eva Clayton, the first African American woman to represent North Carolina in Congress. Finally, you’ll hear a Carolina Women’s Center forum on women and politics.
Find more information on Press Record’s new Facebook page. The SOHP’s twitter page is here. Feel free to tweet your feedback or share your thoughts on oral history and Charlotte or email your comments, questions, or ideas to us at pressrecordsohp@gmail.com!
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Find full interviews and transcripts below:
Eulalie Salley pictured second from right, with then governor of South Carolina. Image courtesy of the Edgewood Project.
courtesy of the Pauli Murray Project
Isabella Cannon was often called a marshmallow by her political opponents.
courtsey of the US House of Representatives History, Art, and Archives
courtesy of the Atlanta History Center
Additional Resources:
Taylor’s South Writ Large article
Information on Eulalie Salley and her home
US House of Representatives page on Eva Clayton
Elon University’s biography of Isabella Cannon
Georgia Encylcopedia article on Grace Towns Hamilton
EPISODE ARCHIVE
Episode 1: Silence Speaks Volumes
Episode 3: Feminism and Oral History
Episode 4: LGBTQ Southern Oral History and Activism
Episode 7: Oral History for Movement Building
Episode 8: Voices From Charlotte
Episode 9: Veterans and Oral History
Episode 10: Women and Politics in the South
Episode 11: Oral History and the ERA
Episode 12: Revisiting “Back Ways”
Episode 13: New Roots/ Nuevas Raíces
