Vintage posters, photos from Smithsonian on display

An exhibit at the Waupaca Area Public Library tells the history of women’s rights in America through vintage posters and photos.

“Women” presents two traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution, as well as one each from the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.

“Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence” features women’s 80-year struggle to obtain the right to vote.

The exhibit is arranged chronologically according to themes that address “Radical Women: 1832–1869,” “Women Activists: 1870–1892,” “The New Woman: 1893–1912,” “Compelling Tactics: 1913–1916,” “Militancy in the American Suffragist Movement: 1917–1919” and “The Nineteenth Amendment and Its Legacy.”

“Picturing Women Inventors” is a series of eight posters that explores the inventions of 19 American women. Astronauts, computer pioneers and businesswomen join athletes engineers and even teenagers among inventors featured in the exhibit.

“We Stand on Their Shoulders: A History of Wisconsin Women and Voting” explores moments when women in Wisconsin gained political rights and highlights a few key leaders. Covering the ratification of the 19th Amendment, 1921 Wisconsin Equal Rights Act, 1924 Indian Citizenship Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act, the eight-panel display shares the story of women’s quest for political rights and recognition.

“I Am Not Invisible (IANI)“ is an exhibit from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The IANI campaign seeks to increase awareness and generate dialogue about the role of women veterans.

In addition, 33 paintings by Waupaca artist Doris Weed are on display. She is well known for her colorful, often humorous paintings of “Women with Attitude.”

“Women” is on display in the lower level meeting rooms, adjacent to the Children’s Department, until Jan. 28. The exhibit is free and open to the public.