Donald L. Miller and Louis P. Masur follow the growth of American capitalism and industry from 1776 to 1861. They look at Samuel Slater's introduction of factories to the U.S.; the textile factory community of Lowell; transportation development and the creation of the Erie Canal; and the growth of Chicago, including quality of life and pollution issues it faced and its integration into the country's rail system.
Richard Miller reads two 1922 San Francisco Chronicle articles on the public reaction to and perception of flappers.
In this presentation by the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, 10 clips tell the story of Florence Kahn (1866-1948), the fifth female congressperson.
The National Portrait Gallery's Warren Perry tells the story of a portrait of author and photographer Eudora Welty (1909-2001).
Bibi Gaston, author of The Loveliest Woman in America: A Tragic Actress, Her Lost Diaries and Her Granddaughter's Search for Home, talks about the life of her grandmother, Rosamund Pinchot, actress, socialite, and eventual suicide, and about the research she undertook to uncover Pinchot's life story.
Journalist Kirstin Downey talks about Frances Perkins, the subject of her book The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR's Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience. As secretary of labor during FDR's presidency, Perkins initiated social-welfare reforms in areas including unemployment, child labor, immigration, and work-week length.
Carol Burger, associate professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Virginia Tech and coordinator of the university's Science and Gender Equity Program, heads up a panel at the Library of Congress on "Women in Science and Engineering," in celebration of Women's History Month. She discusses the historical place of women in science and possible role models for women studying science today.
Erin Carlson Mast, curator at Lincoln's Cottage, speaks about the relationship between Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln.
Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919), the daughter of former slaves, started life as a farm laborer and laundress but finished it as a pioneer of the modern African American hair care and cosmetics industry. A'Lelia Bundles, Walker's great-great-granddaughter, offers highlights of Walker's early life and her career as an innovator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the February 13th, 2009, program; and select "Listen now." Part two can be accessed by doing the same with the February 24th, 2009, program.
Abigail Adams, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher—their names are prominently linked with the American Revolution. But what about the rank and file of women? Talking History's Linna Place and Carol Berkin discuss Berkin's recent book, Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the bottom of the page, and select "MP3 Format" under "Revolutionary Mothers."