THE FIRST FIRST LADIES
The Informal Political Power of Early American Women
During the 17th and early 18th centuries, social class was ever-so important. And, despite the entrenched tradition of patriarchy, high-ranking women could wield more power than lower-status men. Meet the first First Ladies. The wives of the governors of America’s original thirteen colonies were married to politics—literally and figuratively. Because of this, they were  particularly well placed to leverage their talents, status and influence to achieve personal and public goals. Some helped turn political tides; other took public stands that had lasting social consequences. Despite cultural, regional, and generational differences, the colonial First Ladies shared a willingness to impact the world around them—and they did.  This talk, based on Coughlin’s current book project, also explores the significant leadership roles Native American and African-American women played within their communities and beyond.

Michelle Marchetti Coughlin is the author of One Colonial Woman’s World: The Life and Writings of Mehetabel Chandler Coit (1673-1758) and Penelope Winslow: Plymouth Colony First Lady: Re-Imagining a Life. She serves on the board of the Abigail Adams Birthplace and as Museum Administrator of Boston’s Gibson House Museum. She maintains a website at www.onecolonialwomansworld.com.

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2020 WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE COMMEMORATION PROGRAMMING
“Gaining the Vote: The Road to Women’s Suffrage” Virtual Series
August 2020 marks the centennial of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing American women the right to vote.  The Museums on the Green has been awarded a Discussion Grant from Mass Humanities/the National Endowment for the Humanities to support “Gaining the Vote: The Road to Women’s Suffrage,” a series of virtual talks and performances highlighting the long road to women’s suffrage. We’ll feature upcoming programs in our Calendar as they become available.

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE RESOURCES:
RECOMMEND READING LIST & ONLINE RESOURCES
WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE TIMELINE
UNTOLD TALES OF FALMOUTH: “Women Who Said ‘Why Not?’”