Talks
Joe C. Miller is available to give the following talks:

Wild Women Suffragists and their Reputation as Sex Radicals

The campaign for women’s right to vote hit an obstacle in the 1870s: several newspaper editors accused suffragists of trying to abolish marriage and establish Free Love in its place. To some extent, suffragists deserved this reputation. Learn about forgotten facts and colorful characters, including Susan B. Anthony and her prudery, and Victoria Woodhull’s Free Love campaign. The talk is rated PG-13. 

The Moral Authority of American  Women’s Clubs.

1890 to 1920 was the heyday of American women’s clubs. Whenever these clubs lobbied for the creation of schools, libraries, or safe water supplies, people understood that they were doing it for the public good, so the clubs were quite influential in local politics.

When some women agitated for their right to vote, many other women formed Anti-Suffrage societies. One of the Antis’ main arguments was that voting would drag women into the disreputable world of partisan politics, and women would lose their non-partisan advantage. This talk covers a fascinating and forgotten part of women’s history.​

Audience Feedback

“This unknown suffragist history was enlightening and entertaining. Numerous members’ feedback was very positive. One long-standing member said this was the best lecture we’ve ever had!”

– Joan Gill, Chair of Speaker Programs, Canadian Women’s Club of San Francisco

“Joe Miller was recently invited by the Sonoma Valley Historical Society and presented his research on the history of the suffragists to a very receptive audience. His presentation was most informative as well as entertaining. He engaged the audience by showing how much of this subject has been completely forgotten or misunderstood.”

– Peter G. Meyerhof, Historian

“Joe Miller’s talk on “Wild Women Suffragists” was entertaining and informative. He explored a much-neglected topic: the opinions of those women who opposed their own right to vote. He also explained how the perceived connection between women’s suffrage and Free Love stymied the suffragists’ efforts.”

​- Elizabeth Thacker-Estrada
Manager of Merced Branch, San Francisco Public Library

President of Institute for Historical Study, Berkeley