Reading and Writing Workshop
Exploring Antebellum Women Reform Movements and the Domestic Ideal
Workshop Overview
This workshop explores women's roles struggles and contributions during the Antebellum period through primary sources memoirs and public domain works Each session will combine reading discussion and creative writing inspired by historical texts
Session 1: The Rise of the Cult of True Womanhood
Theme: Gender Ideals and Domestic Expectations
Session 2: Women in the Abolitionist Movement
Theme Women as Activists and Abolitionists
Session 3: The Women's Rights Movement
The Seneca Falls Convention 1848
Theme The Fight for Women's Rights
Session 4 The Intersection of Gender and Slavery Enslaved Women's Experiences
Theme Resistance and Survival
Final Project Women's History Anthology
This structure ensures a rich blend of historical analysis discussion and creative writing using public domain materials
Workshop Overview
This workshop explores women's roles struggles and contributions during the Antebellum period through primary sources memoirs and public domain works Each session will combine reading discussion and creative writing inspired by historical texts
Session 1: The Rise of the Cult of True Womanhood
Theme: Gender Ideals and Domestic Expectations
- Reading
- Barbara Welters The Cult of True Womanhood excerpt from American Quarterly 1966 Note This is not in the public domain but summaries can be used
- Godey's Lady's Book 1850s Popular magazine that reinforced women's domestic roles
- Discussion Topics
- How did the ideal of True Womanhood shape women's roles
- What were the limitations and expectations imposed by these ideals
- Writing Prompt
- Write a letter from the perspective of a woman in 1850 responding to an article from Godey's Lady's Book How does she feel about these expectations
Session 2: Women in the Abolitionist Movement
Theme Women as Activists and Abolitionists
- Reading
- Ain't I a Woman by Sojourner Truth 1851
- Narrative of Harriet Tubman by Sarah H Bradford 1869
- Read here https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/9999
- Discussion Topics
- How did women contribute to the abolitionist movement
- How did gender intersect with their activism
- Writing Prompt
- Write a speech as if you are an abolitionist woman in the 1850s How do you convince your audience to join the cause
Session 3: The Women's Rights Movement
The Seneca Falls Convention 1848
Theme The Fight for Women's Rights
- Reading
- The Declaration of Sentiments 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton's foundational document of the women's rights movement
- Discussion Topics
- How does the Declaration of Sentiments mirror the Declaration of Independence
- Which demands have been realized and which remain unfulfilled
- Writing Prompt
- Rewrite a portion of the Declaration of Sentiments as a modern day manifesto for gender equality
Session 4 The Intersection of Gender and Slavery Enslaved Women's Experiences
Theme Resistance and Survival
- Reading
- Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs 1861
- Read here https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11030
- Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs 1861
- Discussion Topics
- How did enslaved women navigate oppression and resistance
- How does Jacobs narrative differ from male slave narratives
- Writing Prompt
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of an enslaved woman inspired by Harriet Jacobs experiences
Final Project Women's History Anthology
- Participants will select one of their pieces to expand into a polished essay short story or poem
- The workshop will conclude with a reading event where participants share their work
This structure ensures a rich blend of historical analysis discussion and creative writing using public domain materials