This Grand Experiment: When Women Entered the Federal Workforce in Civil War–Era Washington, DC

William G. McGowan Theater
Washington, DC

In the volatility of the Civil War, the federal government opened its payrolls to women. As described by Jessica Ziparo in her book This Grand Experiment, women saw this as a rare chance to obtain well-paid, challenging work. Despite discrimination, prejudice, and harassment, women persisted and succeeded in making their presence in the federal workforce permanent. A book signing will follow the program.