Votes for Women Exhibit at the Nebraska History Museum Wins 2020 AASLH Award of Excellence

The American Association for State and Local History and History Nebraska proudly announce that History Nebraska is the recipient of an Award of Excellence for the Votes for Women exhibit on display at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln.

The American Association for State and Local History and History Nebraska proudly announce that History Nebraska is the recipient of an Award of Excellence for the Votes for Women exhibit on display at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 75th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

Votes for Women highlights the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. The struggle for women’s suffrage in Nebraska had been going on for more than sixty years when Nebraska finally ratified the Amendment on August 2, 1919. Strong and well-funded opposition included both men and women; they had blocked women’s suffrage for many complex reasons.

Nebraska’s suffragists were persistent and believed in making their Nebraska a better place. They were doctors, lawyers, educators, philanthropists, community volunteers, and others who worked diligently toward their vision of a better Nebraska. The suffragists’ vision was not without bias and did not include suffrage for all.  There were many struggles for equality for all Nebraskans, both before and after ratification. This exhibit looks back at our state’s unique place in the history of the women’s suffrage movement, and some of the many women who broke barriers here.

This year, AASLH is proud to confer fifty-seven national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.

The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards honor not only significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to aaslh.org.

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