Rethinking American Feminism, 1948-1977

FAIN: ES-281272-21

New York Historical Society (New York, NY 10024-5152)
Leslie Hayes (Project Director: March 2021 to March 2024)
Nicholas A. Juravich (Co Project Director: July 2021 to March 2024)

A three-week, hybrid institute for 30 K-12 teachers on the history of feminism in the middle of the twentieth century.

The New-York Historical Society proposes Level II summer institute that will convene 30 teachers in grades K-12 and 19 guest scholars, filmmakers, and activists to explore the history of feminism in 20th century America. This hybrid institute will fulfill three weeks of work over several months. It will include two weeks in person at N-YHS over the summer, virtual evening sessions in the fall, and a culminating virtual weekend in January 2023. Building on N-YHS’s Center for Women’s History and web-based curriculum, Women & the American Story, Rethinking American Feminism: 1948-1977 will empower teachers to incorporate the voices of a diverse range of women into their instruction on 20th century US history. By studying and celebrating the contributions of women across many categories, teachers will be better equipped to break down the stereotype of a single narrative of women’s history and help students—particularly female students—see themselves in the past.

Associated Products

Shirley Chisholm (Web Resource)
Title: Shirley Chisholm
Author: Leslie Hayes
Author: Nadeia Miah
Author: Jamilah Whiteside
Abstract: Animated video highlighting the life and career of Shirley Chisholm for students and teachers in grades K-12 to view and discuss together.
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/growing-tensions/shirley-chisholm-runs-for-president/
Primary URL Description: Location of video within the online curriculum, Women & the American Story (WAMS), with NEH acknowledgment.
Secondary URL: https://youtu.be/x9DhKfB9C7A
Secondary URL Description: URL where the video lives.

Bella Abzug (Web Resource)
Title: Bella Abzug
Author: Leslie Hayes
Author: Nedeia Miah
Author: Jamilah Whiteside
Abstract: Animated video highlighting the life and career of Bella Abzug for students and teachers in grades K-12 to view and discuss together.
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/feminism-and-the-backlash/bella-abzug/
Primary URL Description: Location of video within the online curriculum, Women & the American Story (WAMS), with NEH acknowledgment.
Secondary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyu1JYK_fZU&t=30s
Secondary URL Description: URL where the video lives.

Angela Davis (Web Resource)
Title: Angela Davis
Author: Leslie Hayes
Author: Nedeia Miah
Author: Jamilah Whiteside
Abstract: Animated video highlighting the life and career of Angela Davis for students and teachers in grades K-12 to view and discuss together.
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/feminism-and-the-backlash/angela-davis/
Primary URL Description: Location of video within the online curriculum, Women & the American Story (WAMS), with NEH acknowledgment.
Secondary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9OnR6wjkTs
Secondary URL Description: URL where the video lives.

Teacher-led lesson plans (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Teacher-led lesson plans
Author: Deanna Duffy
Author: Kyla MacDonald
Abstract: A set of lessons written by teachers inspired by their participation in the Rethinking American Feminism institute.
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://www.nyhistory.org/education/neh-summer-institute/previous-institute-participant-lessons
Primary URL Description: Web page with lesson plans from many different years of NEH Summer Institutes. See 2022 Lesson Plans for the ones created under this grant.
Audience: K - 12

Life Story: Kitty Cone (Web Resource)
Title: Life Story: Kitty Cone
Author: Leslie Hayes
Author: Mackenzie Lance
Abstract: A biographical essay written at an 8th-grade level exploring the life and activism of Kitty Cone. It is currently under review by New-York Historical Society staff and will eventually be added to the Women & the American Story (WAMS) curriculum website.
Year: 2023
Primary URL: https://wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/
Primary URL Description: The section of the Women & the American Story website where the essay will eventually be posted. A pdf copy of the essay is included in the supplementary materials of this report.

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