Formation of The Society for Women and the Civil War
September 2002

Women and the Civil War Inc. and The Conference on Women and the Civil War have formed The Society for Women and the Civil War (SWCW), a membership organization dedicated to recognizing the efforts of women who lived through the war, and those who, today, research, reenact or otherwise honor them.

The SWCW's mission is to increase awareness and understanding of women's roles related to the Civil War through education and scholarship. The president is DeAnne Blanton, with Virginia Mescher as vice president and Betsy Estilow as treasurer. Newsletter editor is Meg Galante-DeAngelis, membership director is Sara Bartlett and other board members are Susan Youhn and Karen Rae Mehaffey.

They say that unlike many other such organizations, "The SWCW hopes to build upon our already richly diverse community of interested members including reenactors, authors, independent and affiliated researchers, scholars and students of all disciplines, genealogists, archivists, museum professionals, librarians, artists, performers, storytellers, teachers of all age students, historians and other chroniclers of history."

The officers believe that this diverse community "offers us connections and opportunities unlike organizations focused on one interest group for their membership."

The quarterly newsletter, "At Home and In the Field," will serve as the conduit for connection between members. In conjunction, the cwcw-chat e-list offers access to the shared expertise of members. A website, still under construction, offers an archive of past conferences and soon will include information about society events and conferences and membership information.

Those who sign up for the free cwcw-chat e-list will be sent an announcement of the debut of the renovated web-site. To join the e-list, go to www.womenandthecivilwar/admin/listserv.htm .

Members of The SWCW will receive the quarterly electronic newsletter, a Conference on Women and the Civil War logo pin (while supplies last), and a 2003 membership list. The society to serve its members by helping them get in touch with others pursuing similar research, reenactment, preservation, memorialization or publishing goals.

The society will also serve an advocacy and consulting role in the larger Civil War community, connecting other organizations with speakers and exhibitors from its membership.

Membership dues are $25 per year. Those who join now will automatically be renewed, at no additional cost, for 2003. For membership information contact Sara Bartlett at womencivilwar@aol.com. A sample newsletter is available from Meg Galante-DeAngelis at athomeandinthefield@yahoo.com .