Founding Mothers: From the Ballot Box to the University

Founding Mothers is an online exhibition that recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States and the 45th anniversary of the founding of Women's Studies at the University of Arizona.

Women have been speaking up and demanding their rights to be citizens since the founding of the United States.  This exhibit focuses on women in Arizona and asks what strategies led to their success in winning representation at the ballot box and in the university.  Who were their allies? Whose voices were heard in these debates?  What forces divided women and how did they work together despite differences? Who was left out of these changes?  Which issues continue to be challenges in our times? 

This virtual exhibit celebrates and showcases a variety of archival materials on women's suffrage and the struggle for equality off and on the University campus. The exhibit features new and original video interviews of women faculty reflecting on their experiences of building the Department of Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Arizona.