Spotlight on History
Women’s History Month
During the month of March, the LDMA is celebrating Women’s History Month! Explore some of our best stories on the fight for women’s rights and the contributions made by Louisiana women in politics and government. And be sure to check out the complete Women’s History Month topic to see more videos about trailblazing Louisiana women!
Arrival of the Ursuline Nuns (1727)
In this clip from LPB’s Louisiana: A History, learn more about the mission of the Ursuline Nuns in educating the girls of colonial New Orleans.
Women’s Suffrage (1920)
In this clip from LPB’s Louisiana: A History, learn more about the efforts of New Orleans suffragists in helping women gain the right to vote in 1920.
Head and Master Law Panel Discussion (1979)
Learn more about the fight to repeal the nation’s oldest Head and Master Law, which allowed a husband to make community property decisions without his wife’s consent. Click here to see more stories on the Head and Master Law.
The Defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment (1982)
Watch this story from Louisiana: The State We’re In on the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment in the Louisiana Legislature. Click here to see more stories on the efforts to ratify the ERA.
Working Women (1983)
On this episode of Folks, see the stories of four African American women succeeding in male-dominated professions, including Jackie Edgar, the owner of a car dealership in Jeanerette, Louisiana.
Women in Politics (1984)
In this story from Louisiana: The State We’re In, reporter Robyn Ekings explores why women in Louisiana hold fewer elected offices than women in other states.
Inauguration of Governor Kathleen Blanco (2004)
View LPB’s live coverage of the inauguration of Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the only female governor in Louisiana’s history.
In the Halls of Power: The Legacy of Louisiana’s Elected Women (2009)
Watch this panel discussion from the McLeod Lecture Series on the unique legacy of Louisiana’s female political leaders.
Louisiana’s Legislature: Where are the Women? (2012)
See this panel discussion from Louisiana Public Square on the underrepresentation of women in the Louisiana Legislature and the challenges faced by women running for political office.
Remembering Lindy Boggs (2013)
In this remembrance from Louisiana: The State We’re In, learn more about the career of the first Louisiana woman elected to Congress, including her role in ending discrimination against women seeking access to credit.