What did it mean to be an active American citizen from the 1920s to 1940s? The New-York Historical Society’s American Women, American Citizens: 1920-1948 NEH Summer Institute for K-12 Educators will consider this question in depth.

The early 20th century was a turning point in American history. Economic extremes, wartime mobilization, and growing federal regulations permeated daily life and left lasting impacts on the nation. Meanwhile, the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 expanded the electorate by granting women the right to vote. In the midst of a fraught economic, political, and social climate, women fought to activate their citizenship and exercise their newly gained rights. This institute will highlight a diverse range of women—across race, ethnicity, economic status, and geography—and explore the many ways they strove to legitimize their new place in American society in the face of policies and a culture that continued to limit their roles.  

During this two-week institute for K-12 teachers, project co-directors Leslie Hayes, New-York Historical Director of Education, and Nick Juravich, Assistant Professor of History and Labor Studies at UMass Boston will convene with a cohort of 30 educators from across the country. Participants will engage in lively discussions with 13 renowned historians and workshop classroom-ready strategies for weaving women’s histories into the curriculum. Participants will leave with content knowledge, lesson plans, and materials that will expand their students’ understanding of the three critical decades under study.   

Out of an abundance of caution regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, this program will be held remotely. Asynchronous and synchronous learning sessions will bring the cohort of teachers together to engage in the important work of bringing more women’s narratives into the social studies classroom.

Applications are now closed. If you are interested in other professional learning opportunities with the New-York Historical Society, please visit our Teacher Workshop Calendar. We also encourage you to check out Women & the American Story to explore free, classroom-ready resources on women’s history.