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As with so many other organizations in the city and county, COVID-19 has impacted the Butler County Historical and Genealogical Society. After canceling their July quarterly meeting due to pandemic-related restrictions, the organization’s officers have also voted to cancel the planned quarterly meeting set for October 25.

“We truly miss seeing everyone, but we just don’t feel that we can ensure meeting all health and safety protocols and hold our meeting in our usual manner,” said Barbara Middleton of the BCHGS.

In lieu of the normal in-person gathering, the group has decided to encourage its members and anyone interested in local and state history to go online in October to get an informative history lesson on the women’s suffrage movement in Alabama.

“This is the 100th anniversary of  all women gaining the right to vote in the U.S. With this also being a presidential election year, it is a more timely topic than ever and worthy of our attention,” said Barbara Middleton of the BCGHS.

“Since we cannot present our planned program on the women’s suffrage centennial, we are so happy to be able to offer a fine alternative.”

October’s planned speaker, Dr. Alex Colvin of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, has recorded a presentation available on YouTube.

“Dr. Colvin’s talk gives the highlights of the movement here in Alabama and features the important women who worked tirelessly to gain the vote in our state,” Middleton said.

Dr. Alex Colvin is the Public Program Curate at the ADAH. She earned her undergraduate degree at Samford University and her master’s and doctorate degrees at Auburn University.

“Dr. Colvin has such an engaging presentation style, and I believe you will truly enjoy her talk,” Middleton said.

“We are so thankful we have these online resources to keep us informed about our history and to remind us to exercise the rights that those who came before us fought so hard to gain. And we hope to be able to see everyone again in early 2021.”

“Shall Women Vote? Alabama’s Suffrage Movement 1890-1920” is available