Everyone knows, or thinks she knows, how women survived the American Civil War.   Scarlett O’Hara is still alive on the screen and in our imaginations.  But less well known are the women who lived thereafter, raised families, and created southern society.  On March 21, 2024,  Sally Gregory McMillan, a girl who came to Wellesley from California, presented Southern Women, Insights from a Historian.

Sally  holds a PhD from Duke University in the field of Southern History and, among other accomplishments, she has published numerous monographs about “Motherhood in the Old South”, “Southern Women, Black and White, in the Old South,” the role and purpose of Sunday schools in both Black and White churches," the “Origins of the Women’s Rights Movement” and many other essays, book reviews and articles relating to this history in addition to her teaching responsibilities at Davidson College for 28 years.  Her efforts at Davidson were directed to making it a better place for women and she even co-founded a new major at Davidson titled “Gender and Sexuality.” And of course, Sally currently serves as our wonderful ’66 Class Secretary.  

Sally has provided us with an extensive reading list.

To view Sally's talk, click here. Note: Early on in the Zoom session, Sally is cut off. But in a few minutes, she is back on the air. You can either wait or fast-forward until you see her name in the last square.