From learning about Maggie Bailey, Kentucky bootlegger, to visiting the Old Armory Building where Ida B. Wells spoke to the National Association of Colored Women in 1910, the Women’s History Affinity Group took the 2015 Annual Meeting by storm.
The rich discussion of Thursday’s panel, the Women’s History Twitter Scavenger Hunt, followed by Friday’s Roundtable and the Women’s History Walking Tour and suffrage centennial brainstorming session all created an energy and excitement around the organization’s newest affinity group.
Discussions focused on practical ways to locate and integrate women’s stories, with topics that included:
- Finding the documentation on women at your site when seemingly none may exist
- Soliciting internal support for new initiatives
- Creating and enhancing educational programs and adding value for teachers
- Broadening support and understanding of this history through social media
This year, plans for the affinity group will include the creation of an annotated list of resources and tools for history organizations to develop best practices for integrating women’s stories into interpretation, programs, and long-term strategies. This collaborative list will be featured on the AASLH Women’s History Affinity Group website and will include:
- Resources for research and collaboration on women’s history interpretation
- Historiography of women’s history and interpretation in the museum field
- Pertinent blogs, podcasts, and social media recommendations
We are also gearing up for Detroit in 2016! Session proposals are due on November 22, 2016 so if you want to see more women’s history at next year’s meeting, let us know how we can help you develop your great ideas into compelling and effective sessions. Let’s connect women’s history throughout our field and Remember the Ladies in the process!
