Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Underpinnings And Equal Terms: Using An Exhibit As An Entry Point For Engaging Undergraduate Students In The Research Process, Rebecca Fitzsimmons

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Studying exhibits offers students many entry points for critically evaluating information and images. They are also effective tools for engaging students in research to better understand how to refine their research questions and construct compelling narratives. This poster focuses on the use of the online women’s suffrage themed exhibit Underpinnings and Equal Terms to teach undergraduate students visual and information literacy skills and engage them in archival research. Using this exhibit curated from archival and special collections materials as a starting point, students in an introductory Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies course explored how the overarching theme and subnarratives were …

At The Circus: Sawdust, Strength, And Suffrage, Rebecca Fitzsimmons, Maureen Brunsdale

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Women circus performers were great examples of what equality could look like. They were strong, independent, and made as much money—or more—as their male counterparts. This empowerment was showcased daily during their performances and eventually became part of the narrative of women’s suffrage. They served as an inspiration to women across the nation.

This topic examines the history of women’s suffrage and the empowerment of women through their work in the circus and as suffrage organizers. Looking at this important piece of history is especially timely given the upcoming centennial of women’s suffrage. Educators will have an opportunity to learn …