Event Details
Learning Forum: The Peaceful Suffragists
March 29, 2020 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learning Forums are thought-provoking presentations on a wide variety of topics. Each program features a 45-minute presentation, followed by an open forum with questions and discussion about the topic.This week, Laura Hovey Neubert presents, "The Peaceful Suffragists."

Change in the voting rights and perception of women’s roles in the early 20th century that culminated with the adoption of the 19th Amendment came as a result of a cultural crusade that was influenced by militant suffragettes. However, the movement was more defined by the women homesteaders living a tough life of independence on the American Great Plains.
The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed women suffragists, who may not have described themselves as such, an opportunity to own 160 acres of land and better yet, a chance for independence. Come to this Learning Forum for poignant stories, photographs and reflections on the courageous, yet quiet advancement of the rights for women by lady mavericks of the day.
Hovey Neubert resides in western South Dakota. As a South Dakota Humanities Council scholar, she researches, writes and presents historical facts that reflect the human experience: then to now.
She stages events, recruits help, raises money, and rides point to meaningful experiences for throngs of people as a nonprofit manager. Taking a modest bow as a prize-winning poet, produced playwright, and author, she seeks perspective and connections from facts.
As Freda Fuselage of the Wingwalkers, she may have rocked your socks off, in earlier years!
Hovey Neubert holds a master's of science in Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University. She's a Certified Employment Support Professional and is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Present diversions:
- Principal, Pathfinder ES, LLC
- Executive Board, West River History Conference and Westerners - Black Hills Corral #8
- South Dakota Humanities Council Speaker’s Bureau
- Member: Elevate Rapid City, Deadwood Chamber, Association of People Supporting Employment (APSE), SD-DRS-VR and SBVI Provider Network, MUFON ‘20 Questions’ Essayist, Friends of the Library, Deadwood History, DC Booth Society, others
Significant moments:
- Develop celebrations of regional history and heritage: Black Hills Heritage Festival, West River History Conference
- Spearhead fundraising and community support for the Rapid City Public Library Foundation HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS ROOM
- Design award-winning programs for Girl Scouts of the Black Hills Council
- Gather dollars and diapers for at-risk women and their children with Volunteers of America-Dakotas
- Assist people of diverse abilities in finding paths to employment: Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities
- Established a volunteer employment skills program for inmates
- Produced playwright, published essayist and prize-winning poet
Learning Forums in March are themed for Women in History Month. For more Learning Forums, click here.
You can sit anywhere you like in our theater! The seating map is below. Seats marked ADA indicate wheelchair accessibility. Blue seats indicate space for foldout chairs, but those with ADA requirements take first priority.
