In celebration of the Montana women's suffrage centennial, join suffragette, temperance worker, dress reformer, and journalist Mary Long Alderson for a conversation. This first person presentation invites the audience into a 1914 Montana parlor to discourse on the issues of the day. Chairwoman of the Montana Floral Emblem campaign, president of the Montana Christian Temperance Union, and a leader in the Montana Woman Suffrage Association, Mrs. Alderson is an eloquent and passionate presenter. Drawing from her own editorials and other writings, Mary will explain the benefits of votes for women as well as the evils of drink and tight lacing. From rough and tumble territorial beginnings, Montana's pioneer women helped the grand state of Montana build community and gain statehood, now it is time for the Montana sisterhood to join together once again to prepare her for this wondrous new century.

Following the first person interpretation, scholar Anne Foster will step into the present to detail her research and answer questions with a modern view.

The presentation is free and open to the public and will be part of The Heritage Museum's 40th Anniversary Opening Day. Funding for the Montana Conversations program is provided by Humanities Montana through grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Montana’s Cultural Trust, and private donations.