12 Women Who Shaped America: 1619 to 1920

Overview

Histories of the United States often overlook the women who shaped the nation. Museums, textbooks, historical sites, and even documentaries omit essential parts of the whole because they leave out her story. Join Allison K. Lange, historian and professor, as she guides you through the fascinating lives of 12 early Americans, all of them women. With a deft talent for bringing history to life, follow Allison as she explores the complex and often controversial lives of these American women who shaped the United States as we know it today.

Course Details

Although each woman featured in 12 Women Who Shaped America: 1619 to 1920 has her unique story, the women are united by their belief in the value of women and the importance of public image. Through the medium of portraiture, you will get to see each woman as she wanted you to see her, while gaining invaluable context and historical perspective. Uncover how these extraordinary individuals sought to secure new rights and opportunities for women across the social and political spectrum.

The stories and images featured in this course give us unprecedented insights into the lives and careers of the women who shaped America well into the 20th century. Get an invaluable glimpse into the critical intersection of photography, politics, and the fight for gender and racial equality, which will give you a new and broader understanding of influential women in early American history.

Video Lessons

1. Phillis Wheatley Peters, Founding Poet (28 min)

• Learn about the first professional Black writer in the United States, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

1. Martha Washington, First Lady of the Republic (26 min)

• Explore Martha Washington’s life beyond her role as First Lady and her impact on women’s rights.

1. Sacagawea, Shoshone Diplomat and Guide (27 min)

• Discover the real Sacagawea and her significance in American history.

1. Sojourner Truth, Crusader for Human Rights (28 min)

• Understand Sojourner Truth’s role as a political activist and her impact on the fight for women’s rights.

1. Catharine Beecher, Author and Educator (27 min)

• Examine Catharine Beecher’s beliefs in traditional gender roles and the push for women’s education.

1. Victoria Woodhull, 1872 Presidential Candidate (28 min)

• Meet the first female presidential candidate and her controversial views on free love and feminism.

1. Susan B. Anthony, Women’s Rights Champion (28 min)

• Analyze how Anthony controlled her public image to advance the women’s suffrage movement.

1. Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad Leader (28 min)

• Discover the multifaceted life of Harriet Tubman and her fight for justice and equality.

1. Isabella Stewart Gardner, Art Museum Pioneer (27 min)

• Learn about Gardner’s journey to opening her own art museum in a male-dominated field.

1. Frances Benjamin Johnston, Photographer (26 min)

• Explore the life of one of America’s first female professional photographers.

1. Alice Paul, National Woman’s Party Leader (34 min)

• Delve into Alice Paul’s radical activism for women’s suffrage and her pivotal role in the movement.

1. Mary Church Terrell: Suffrage to Civil Rights (32 min)

• Follow Terrell’s journey from slavery to leading the fight for civil rights and suffrage.