Building Democracy: The Story of State Legislatures

Many states have their own tales of political maneuvering and determined women. Check out our bonus interview to hear more details and what happened in states we weren't able to cover. Full interview with Lori Ann Lahlum, professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato and Molly P. Rozum, Ron Nelson distinguished professor, University of South Dakota.

Listen to the full speech I Claim the Rights of Man given in 1868 by Henry MacNeal Turner. Read by Georgia State Representative Billy Mitchell.

Listen to the full interview with Richard L. Pearce, legal counsel with the South Carolina House Clerk

Listen to the full interview with Mary Elliott, curator of American Slavery at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

GuestsScott Bedke, speaker, Idaho House of RepresentativesNicole Cannizzaro, majority leader, Nevada State SenateJason Frierson, speaker, Nevada House of RepresentativesMargaret O'Brien, secretary, Michigan SenateTim Storey, executive director, NCSL

GuestsRepresentative Senfronia Thompson, Texas | BioFormer Senator Fred Risser, Wisconsin | BioE. Dotson Wilson, former chief clerk, California State Assembly | BioSpeaker Bryan Cutler, Pennsylvania | BioBill Pound, former executive director, NCSL | BioAdditional ResourcesBuilding Democracy: Episode 5 | Resources and Reading ListWomen in LegislaturesLegislator Demographics

GuestsSenator Affie Ellis, Wyoming│ BioRepresentative Meg Froelich, Colorado │ BioRebekah Clark, historical research associate, Better Days 2020│ Bio

GuestsBob Davidson, former director, Mississippi Senate Legislative Services OfficeMark Hirsch, historian, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian │Bio │BlogBurdett Loomis, professor emeritus, University of Kansas │BioKercheik Sims-Alvarado, assistant professor of Africana Studies, Morehouse College │Bio │BookSpecial Guest VoiceRepresentative Billy Mitchell, Georgia │BioAdditional ResourcesBuilding Democracy: Episode 3 | TranscriptBuilding Democracy: Episode 3 | Show NotesBuilding Democracy: Episode 3 | Resources and Reading List

HostsMegan McClureJohn MahoneyNicholas BirdsongGeneral ThanksTo the NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee for the idea which led to the creation of Building Democracy and who's support keeps it going.To Podfly Productions for production and editingTo the House of Pod for recording and studio space

HostsMegan McClureJohn MahoneyNicholas BirdsongGuestsG. Paul Nardo, former clerk of the house and keeper of the roles of the Commonwealth of VirginiaJim Horn, president, Jamestown Rediscovery FoundationMary Elliott, curator of American Slavery, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureGeneral ThanksTo the NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee for the idea which led to the creation of Building Democracy and who's support keeps it going.To Podfly Productions for production and editingTo the House of Pod for recording and studio spaceAdditional ResourcesBuilding Democracy: Episode 1 | TranscriptBuilding Democracy: Episode 1 | Show NotesBuilding Democracy: Episode 1 | Resources and Reading List