7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18  |  Xavier Theatre  |  Free Admission


(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The University of Saint Mary hosts Renowned Civil War Historian Dr. Ginette Aley for the university's 21st annual Lincoln Event, "The Challenges on the Home Front: Burdens Facing Women & Families During the Civil War" at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb.18 (Presidents Day).

Admission is free. The program will be in Xavier Theatre on USM's main campus in Leavenworth, 4100 South 4th Street. Seating is limited. A reception will follow. Visit stmary.edu/Lincoln for more information.

Dr. Aley's presentation will explore how Midwestern communities responded to conflict during the Civil War, along with addressing the dozens of issues any society is confronted by in wartime, including how war affects family roles, gender identities, economic practices, and political discourse. Her presentation will weave in concepts from her co-edited book, "Union Heartland: The Midwestern Home Front during the Civil War," the first book of its kind to look at the Northern home front from a regional Midwest perspective.

"The University of Saint Mary is thrilled to host its annual Lincoln Event," said Vice President of Keleher Learning Commons & Student Development Danielle Dion. "We are so honored to have Dr. Aley, such a well-respected historian of the Midwestern home front presenting at this year's event. She offers an incredibly unique perspective—one revealing how the men, women, and families living in the space we call 'home' today became engaged in war-related activities."

Lincoln Event attendees will also be able to view pieces from USM's extensive Bernard H. Hall Lincoln Collection, including a rare original copy of the 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln.

About Dr. Ginette Aley

Dr. Aley has taught at the college level since 2005—at Virginia Tech University, Drake University, University of Southern Indiana, Washburn University—prior to earning her Ph.D. in 2005. In her current joint appointment at Kansas State University, she serves as the associate managing editor of "Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains," and she teaches courses in U.S. History. Dr. Aley also serves as the research director in the Chapman Center for Rural Studies.

Dr. Aley's research has expanded over the years as the field of Civil War history began to re-focus and include more of the rural home front perspective, which has brought her incredible opportunities to contribute to several esteemed publications, including William C. Davis and James I. Robertson's Virginia at War series (the 1864 and 1865 volumes). She was also interviewed for a Blue Ridge Public Television production on the same topic.

Her ongoing research projects include research on the writings of pioneering and agrarian women across history and the influence of Abraham Lincoln's moralism as seen in Midwestern Civil War soldiers' reactions to encountering the Confederate South and slavery.

About the USM Lincoln Event Series

The University of Saint Mary started the annual Lincoln series in 1999 to spotlight the Hall Lincoln Collection, housed in USM's Keleher Learning Commons (formerly De Paul Library). The university offers guided tours of the Lincoln Collection. Call 913-758-6306 to schedule a tour.

Over the past 20 years, USM's primary Lincoln Event has welcomed a variety of luminaries for the featured speaker. Previous guests have included politicians, historians, U.S. Army generals, best-selling authors, and actors who've portrayed first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and President Lincoln himself.

The USM Lincoln Event is made possible by Country Club Bank of Leavenworth and Lansing, the long-time Lincoln Event benefactor.

Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 913-758-6329 or go to stmary.edu/Lincoln for more information on USM's 21st Annual Lincoln Event, "The Challenges on the Home Front: Burdens Facing Women & Families During the Civil War." 

 

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.