Dr. Claire Jerry, lead curator in the Division of Political and Military History at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, will be making presentations about the Women’s Rights Movement in the 1970s on Nov. 17-18 at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
Both presentations, entitled “Women’s Rights – What a Difference Half-a-Century Makes!” will begin at 2 p.m. CST in the education room, and the Sunday presentation will be a repeat of Saturday’s. There is no fee to attend either program, but the regular admission fee applies to visitors wanting to go into the museum. All audiences are welcome, but it is suggested that the multimedia presentation is designed for an audience of adults and older teens.
Jerry’s appearance in Pierre coincides with the special exhibit “The Spirit of the 70s” now on display in the Hogen Gallery at the museum.
Jerry specializes academically in 20th- and 21st-century campaigning and the history of the presidency. Her previous positions include chief curator of collections and research at McKissick Museum and guest curator at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum. Prior to entering the museum field, she was a professor of history and communication at MacMurray College. Jerry holds a Ph.D. in rhetoric and public address and master’s degrees in public history and speech communication.
“We are especially excited to bring Ms. Jerry to Pierre,” said Museum Director Jay Smith. “Her insights into the Women’s Movement of the 1970s will be lively, entertaining and insightful.”
The 1970s brought new gains into the quest for equal rights between men and women, resulting in advances such as Title IX in the schools, and social change sought through actions like the Equal Rights Amendment. One of the cultural highlights of the decade was the televised tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, won by King, advertised as “The Battle of the Sexes.”
The museum is open from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday, and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sundays and most holidays. Call 605-773-3458 for more information about exhibits, special events and upcoming activities, or visit history.sd.gov
