Grandmother Edna’s suffrage campaign wagon is in line to become a teachable moment every time a school group spends time with the exhibit, “From Seneca Falls to the Supreme Court” that’s on display at the state Capitol in Albany, NY. And right now through October 11th, the state education department is accepting public input on the proposed core curriculum for NYS.

Some commentators are concerned that state and local history is getting short shrift. And there are those who caution that New York State government has had similar plans in the past to what is proposed now, including funding and promises of economic development. If these efforts aren’t integrated and in alignment with the state school curriculum guides, then they question the process of littering highways with signs and calling this significant without a focus and long-term plan.

Important links with background: Link #1. Link #2. Link #3.

Send in your comment to the NYS education department before October 11th. Fill in the dots between state and local history, the suffrage movement, and economic development, now and in the future.

Yes. Virginia. New York should be teaching state and local history, as well as citizenship. Our Votes for Women commentators –Teri Gay, Louise Bernikow, and Antonia Petrash— aren’t shy when speaking about the importance of the local angle on national news. Teri Gary’s book, “Strength without Compromise,” is precisely about this wrinkle. In a Votes for Women Salon interview, Teri speaks about growing up in the Glens Falls area and being fascinated with local women’s contributions to win the vote. Louise highlights New York City, and Long Island is the focus of Antonia Petrash.

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