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.

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.

clayton-for-congress — 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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