Cokie Roberts Discussed Political Influence Of Civil War Women at Atlanta History Center on Apr. 22

NPR Morning Edition contributor and ABC News commentator Cokie Roberts’ latest book "Capital Dames: The Civil War and The Women of Washington" focuses on the colorful, yet tumultuous lives of women in Washington during this turbulent period between 1848 and 1868.

 

Roberts was in Atlanta for a lecture on "Capital Dames" at the Atlanta History Center on Wednesday night and talked about women in early American politics and how they are faring in the modern era, too.

 

For her book, Roberts used government records, newspaper articles, and personal letters and journals to tell the history of women of the era – including Mary Todd Lincoln, Dorothea Dix, Jessie Benton Fremont, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and so many more.

 

"I get to read their diaries. I get to read their mail," Roberts said.

 

The difference between the men of the era versus the women was that the

"[The men’s] letters are studied and edited and often pompous. The women, of course, just wrote letters."

 

Roberts described those women’s letters as “fun and frank and feisty and full of information.”

 

A broadcast news veteran who was named a "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress this year, Roberts has several New York Times best sellers under her belt, including "We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters" and "From This Day Forward."

Atlanta History Center patrons were able to purchase "Capital Dames" at a discounted rate.

Many patrons took advantage of the lecture rate.

Cokie Roberts reads letters used for the book.

Cokie Roberts also talked about her parents' home on Bourbon St. in New Orleans.

Cokie Roberts smiled for selfies with Atlanta History Center patrons.

After the lecture Cokie Roberts signed first edition copies of her book.

The last signature ...

For more information about Atlanta History Center, visit www.atlantahistorycenter.com.