Press Releases

Unladylike2020,’ WCNY to hold Virtual Screening and Panel Discussion July 9

by Rouhollah Goudarzi

June 24, 2020

WCNY, Central New York’s community-owned public broadcaster, will host a Virtual Screening and Panel Discussion to preview the “American Masters” multimedia series, “Unladylike2020,” in recognition  of the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment that opened the doors to women voting. The free online event is at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9. The American Masters show premieres on WCNY-TV at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 10.

July 9 also marks the anniversary of the 1848 tea party that gave birth to the first Woman’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls. “The Seneca Falls Convention was a historic milestone in women’s suffrage and women’s rights, so to premiere the series on the anniversary of this event  is wonderfully fitting,” said Debbie Stack, vice president of education and community engagement. “WCNY is excited to debut a series that celebrates the importance of women’s contributions throughout history.”

“Unladylike2020” features 26 profiles of diverse and little-known female trailblazers from  the turn of the 20^th century. The documentary series focuses on the early years of feminism, highlighting the courageous women who defined the era. The lives and accolades of each woman are depicted through original artwork and animation, rare historical archival footage, and interviews with descendants, historians, and accomplished modern women who reflect upon the influence of these pioneers. Profiled women include Aviator Bessie Coleman, social worker Grace Abbott, activist Maggie Lena Walker, and inventor Lillian Gilbreth.

After the preview, guests can participate in a live panel discussion about the significance and history of this series.

Guest Panelists:

1. Andrea DeKoter, Ph.D.

Superintendent of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.

2. Susan Goodier, Ph.D.

Author and Lecturer of History at Oneonta College, with a  focus on U.S. Women’s activism from the Civil War through World War I.

3. Charlotte Mangin

Aaward-winning creator and executive producer of Unladylike2020.

TO RSVP, visit wcny.org/events. The event is made possible with  support from Humanities New York.