DVC history professor Melissa Jacobson presents the third in a series of lectures celebrating the centennial of Woman's Suffrage in California. Her subject is "Unearthing the Past: Women's suffrage in Martinez". A summer of research in the Martinez Daily Standard and the Contra Costa Gazette files at the County Library helped Ms. Jacobson illuminate the story of a vibrant campaign using techniques recognizable in today's political campaigns and the role of local men and women in a close campaign. Three Alhambra Union High School students of the time participated in the largest campaign event, a play at the Bayview Pavilion. A 'gentleman's smoker' was held at the Fireman's Hall featuring male speakers supporting the granting of suffrage to women.
The series is sponsored by the Contra Costa and the Martinez historical societies with a grant provided by the Chevron Federal Credit Union.
