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National Archives Welcomes Cokie Roberts and Michael Beschloss for Special Program on Women in American History

April 8, 2015

The National Archives and the National Archives Foundation today announced that Foundation Board member Cokie Roberts will host a discussion and book signing of her new work, Capital Dames: The Civil War and the Women of Washington, 1848-1868, on April 20 at 7:00 p.m. Presidential historian and Foundation Board member Michael Beschloss will join Roberts to discuss the experiences, influence and contributions of the women of Washington, DC during the Civil War.

In Capital Dames, which will be released on April 14, Roberts uses newspaper articles, government records, and private letters and diaries—many never before published—to bring the war-torn capital into focus through the lives of its formidable women. Roberts chronicles women’s increasing independence, their political empowerment, their indispensable role in keeping the Union unified through the war, and in helping heal it once the fighting was done. She concludes that the war not only changed Washington, it also forever changed the place of women.

WHO:​ Cokie Roberts, journalist, author and National Archives Foundation Board Member
​Michael Beschloss, author, presidential historian and National Archives Foundation Board Member
WHAT:​ Discussion on the role of women of Washington, DC during the Civil War; Capital Dames book signing
WHEN: ​Monday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m
WHERE: ​William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building

Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW.

This public program is free to the public, but reservations are recommended and can be made at online.For those without reservations, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program.

The National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. For upcoming programs, visit the Calendar of Events online.

For press information and media RSVP, please contact Melissa Schwartz at melissa.schwartz@bromwichgroup.com.