Scholar’s Talk: “Not Organizing for the Fun of It” North Texas Women and the Battle for Suffrage.

Every now and then, historical forces collide in a way that, when looking back, make absolute sense. But for those living in the moment, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. In March 1918, North Texas women experienced two distinct, but connected triumphs: they opened a large canteen, serving all the soldiers passing through Dallas on their way to World War I battlefields. They also won the right to vote in Texas primaries, the first step towards full voting rights. Both efforts benefited from the organizational and mobilization skills first learned in women’s clubs. As a result, they also managed to radically change one politician’s views on suffrage, turning an opponent into an advocate.