This site offers two approaches for the study of specific time periods in American women's history.

I. The Timeline

Each section includes a timeline that links specific events with relevant online sources, such as diaries and letters, photograph collections, and lectures by historians. Examples include:

1882
The Association of Collegiate Alumnae, forerunner of the American Association of University Women, is formally organized.
American Association of University Women's Online Museum features a timeline that includes the minutes from the organization's first meeting, photographs, and other sources.

1933
As Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins becomes the first female cabinet member.
Frances Perkins (1880-1965). Draft notes of reply to F. D. Roosevelt on her nomination to the Cabinet. In Jewels in Her Crown: Treasures of Columbia University Libraries.

1974
Barbara Jordan delivers an eloquent and powerful speech during the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings.
Listen to Barbara Jordan's Statement at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings, part of Say It Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches from American Radio Works.
A Tribute to Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm [WGBH Forum Network; video].

II. Research Sources

Each section also includes a guide to research sources that are appropriate for the specified time period. Examples of categories include Advertising, Advice Lit., Clothing, Historical Statistics, Manuscripts, Newspapers, Quilts, and Secondary Sources.

About the Author

Ken Middleton is a reference librarian at Middle Tennessee State University Library. He has a second master's degree, with an emphasis in American women's history, from the same university. His American Women's History: A Research Guide was named one of the Best Free Reference Web Sites in 2004 by the Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) of ALA.