WAWH in the World

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Historians continue to tease out the many ways that the national women’s suffrage movement was a watershed moment for American women. In "The Very Queer History of the Suffrage Movement" (originally posted to the National Parks Service website in 2020), WAWH member Dr. Wendy Rouse tells us that the movement “allowed women to re-examine, question, and begin to systematically rebel against the many restrictions they had lived under for centuries – including oppressive gender and sexual norms.” 

In examining the suffrage movement through a queer lens, Rouse reconsiders the traditional telling of women's suffrage. Doing so diversifies and broadens our knowledge and appreciation of suffragists -- their tactics, motivations, and intentions. It does not erase or replace the contributions of cisgender heterosexual white women -- but rather, enriches our understanding of a truly consequential moment in American history.

Unfortunately, inclusive histories do not fit with the federal administration’s worldview.

In early February 2025, Rouse’s article on women’s suffrage was heavily revised without her permission. Words such as gender, transgender, non-binary, and other nonconforming language was deleted, rendering the essay nonsensical. Shortly thereafter, the National Parks Service removed the article entirely from its website.

The WAWH opposes censorship and attempts at historical erasure. We are proud to make Dr. Rouse’s article available. Please click on the pdf below to learn more about the American women’s suffrage movement.