She Changed the World: North Carolina Women Breaking Barriers
About the Campaign
The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. As part of a national campaign to commemorate this historic event, North Carolina’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) is coordinating a campaign titled “She Changed the World: NC Women Breaking Barriers” March 2019, continuing through November 2020.
American women were granted the right to vote with the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified on August 18, 1920, after a 72-year fight by suffragists. The 19th Amendment did not resolve the issue of suffrage for many women of color and immigrant women, who continued to battle for voting rights for decades.
For our campaign, we want to celebrate the achievements of ALL North Carolina women and illuminate North Carolinian women's pivotal role in breaking down barriers in North Carolina and the nation. We invite you to join us by sharing your story and others with #SheChangedtheWorld.
North Carolina Women Spotlight
Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown
Charlotte Hawkins Brown was an American author, educator, and founder of the Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina.
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Gertrude Weil
Gertrude Weil was a social activist involved in a wide range of causes, including women's suffrage, labor reform and civil rights.
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Eva M. Clayton
Eva M. Clayton was the first African American woman to represent North Carolina in Congress.
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Dr. Susan Dimock
Dr. Susan Dimock was the first female member of the North Carolina Medical Society, although she never practiced in the state.
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Online Resources
Programs and Events
Western North Carolina
May 18. Women on the Farm at Horne Creek Farm
September 12-13. Symposium: Women in Western North Carolina. Vance Birthplace/Wolfe Memorial Keynote on the evening of the 12th. Symposium on 13th from 9:00-4:00. Free.
Piedmont North Carolina
May 4. Born at Duke Homestead at Duke Homestead. 10:00am-4:00pm. Fee.
May 18. Year of the Woman Lecture Series: Julia Alexander at James K. Polk State Historic Site. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.
May 29. What the Land Witnessed: Connecting the 'Soul-Soil' of a Diverse People through the Power of Place and True Inclusion presented by Michelle Lanier. Raleigh, NC. 11:30 a.m. Free.
June 8. Women of War at Bentonville Battlefield. Free
June 20. Archaeology at the Pauli Murray House presented by Dr. Anna Agbe-Davies. Raleigh, NC. 11:00 a.m. Free.
August 3. Female Spies in the Civil War at CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. Fee (Pre-registration Required.)
November 16. Year of the Woman Lecture Series: Catawba Women at James K. Polk State Historic Site. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.
Eastern North Carolina
September 3 - September 28 Traveling Exhibit: Women Making History at Historic Edenton
October 12. World War II Living History Program at Fort Fisher State Historic Site. 10:00am – 4:00pm. Free.
October 25. Cooking in the Bonner Kitchen at Historic Bath. 10:00am-4:00pm. Free.
