America 250 Lecture

The American Revolution challenged the national ideals of womanhood. Republican motherhood, as it was called, changed the expectations of women as mothers and participants in American families and society. For better or for worse, raising good future citizens marked a transition in women's public role and civic responsibility.  

What was womanhood like before the Revolutionary Era? What changed and what did not with the "War for Independence?" And how did the Revolutionary spirit impact women, gender ideals, and civic responsibility?  This talk will explore the challenges women faced before, during, and immediately after the American Revolution through personal stories and narrative trends. This talk considers how the lessons from the Revolutionary Era can help inform current conversations of civil rights and responsibilities today.

Shelly Lemons, Ph.D.

Professor of History

McKendree University