“The Right to Vote: A Conference at the Centennial of the 19th Amendment”

March 27-28, 2020

It has now been a century since the ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, removing constitutional barriers to suffrage based on sex. Although a significant moment in history, the amendment’s meaning and legacy is contested. In Kansas, women voted before 1920, and in many states, women of color were barred from voting until decades after the 19th amendment’s ratification. On the anniversary of this important but imperfect achievement, we invite a broad discussion of suffrage and political participation, past and present.

On March 27-28, 2020, Washburn University will host a conference exploring the rich and complex story of suffrage and political representation, in history and contemporary life. We request papers and panels that consider suffrage and political inclusion, broadly defined, in any period or setting. For example, we welcome presentations and sessions that consider histories of suffrage in the United States or throughout the globe, the 19th amendment and its legacies, or alternate models for political participation; as well as studies of contemporary legal frameworks and organizing, constitutional law, or voting rights.

We invite submissions from undergraduate and graduate students, from legal scholars and professionals, academics in all fields, and independent scholars. Proposals for papers/presentations (approximately 20 minutes in length), panel or roundtable sessions (approximately 1.5 hours), or creative presentations (contingent upon our ability to provide space/equipment) are welcome.

To submit a proposal, please follow the guidelines below, and email as an attached file to history@washburn.edu. The deadline for all submissions is January 3, 2020.

Paper/presentation proposals: Please submit a title and abstract of approximately 250 words, as well as a brief bio.
Panel/roundtable proposals: Please submit a title for the session and a session description of approximately 250 words, as well as a brief bio all participants. For panel sessions, please include a title and abstract for each paper included.
Creative presentations: Please submit a title, description of approximately 250 words, and a brief bio. If there are specific requirements for space or equipment, please list them.