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

Synopsis

The need for soldiers during the Civil War reduced the ranks of male employees in the government. As a result, federal employment was offered 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.