Virtual Panel Discussion on Women’s Rights and the Enduring American Revolution, Oct. 13

The year 2020 marks the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. But the struggle for women’s rights did not begin—or end—there. Join the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and the Museum of the American Revolution for “World Affairs and the Enduring American Revolution: Women’s Rights,” a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 5 p.m.

With framing remarks and moderated by Errin Haines, editor-at-large for The 19th*, a new nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics, and policy, the panel will address the progress that’s been made as well as what still needs to be done to protect and expand the rights of women in the United States and around the world. It will be followed by a question-and-answer session. 

Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, Museum President and CEO, and Lauren Swartz, the World Affairs Council’s new President, will offer welcome remarks.

“While we all know that progress is never a straight line, we also know that civil discourse helps us to understand one another and continue to move forward toward a better future for everyone,” said Swartz. “The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is honored to partner with the Museum of the American Revolution on this important event about women’s rights here in the United States and around the world—to discuss and learn about how far we’ve come, how far we still have to go, and how we might get there.”

The panel discussion will include: Errin Haines, Editor-at-Large, The 19th* and MSNBC Contributor, Moderator 

• Jovida Hill, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Engagement for Women in Philadelphia, PA 
• Rachel B. Vogelstein, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow and Director of the Women and Foreign Policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, DC 
• Dr. Rosemarie Zagarri, University Professor and Professor of History at George Mason University and Author of Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic 

Tickets are $5 for WAC or Museum Members and $9 for general admission. Tickets are available for purchase here. 

The panel discussion will take place on the heels of opening of the Museum’s highly anticipated special exhibition When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807 (October 2, 2020 – April 25, 2021), which explores the little-known story of the women and free people of color who legally voted in New Jersey, more than a century before the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The exhibition examines how and why this right was stripped away in 1807 and how the memory of these early voters became a rallying cry as another generation of women took up the mantle of the suffrage movement decades later. 

About When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776 – 1807
In a groundbreaking new exhibition, the Museum of the American Revolution will explore the little-known story of women and free people of color voting in Revolutionary New Jersey for more than three decades—and examine the political conflicts that led to their voting rights being stripped away in 1807. Featuring original objects including textiles, works of art, and newly-discovered poll lists highlighting women voters from the period, the exhibition will bring to life the forgotten stories of the women who first pioneered the vote and became role models for women's suffragists two generations later. The exhibition will be integrated within the Museum’s permanent galleries and connected by an audio tour. It also will be made available to virtual visitors through a robust online experience. The exhibit will be on view from Oct. 2, 2020 – April 25, 2021. It is included with regular Museum admission. For more information, visit here.

About the World Affairs Council
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to creating global citizens. The Council hosts speakers, supports student education and leads trips. Established in 1949 as a forum for discussing differing points of view, the Council does not endorse candidates for public office or lobby for policies. Members include more than 75 corporations and their CEOs and more than 3,000 other executives and individual members. For more information, visit https://wacphila.org/.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.