Larson Presents Lecture on Religious Pluralism and Women’s Rights on Monday, March 24th

Leigh Larson returns to the Library on Monday, March 24 from 5 to 6 pm in the Cordingley Room for a free lecture based on her award-nominated paper on Women's Rights and Religious Pluralism. In describing the talk, Larson says, "How has a secular democracy and religious pluralism been necessary for women’s rights in American history? How has it shaped women of all creeds and colors to be able to vote, work, attend school, own property, and divorce? Come find out at this presentation!" She said. "This presentation is based on a paper I wrote recently. My paper is a finalist for a national publication and I am presenting before the publication’s conference in April in Tennessee." The separation of church and state empowered American society to manage morality and legislation amongst its citizens without the tyranny of a singular religion instilled by the State. This secularization of government disrupted what it meant to be a citizen and who could hold power and privileges like no other time in history. No longer bound by one religious doctrine or rule, diverse Americans had the power to influence society and gain suffrage, education, labor, and property and family rights. Many of the advocates used theological and secular arguments to advance their civil rights causes, a methodology that otherwise would not have unfolded in a union of church and state. This presentation examines how the combination of a secular government and religious pluralism foster democracy in the United States of America from its founding through 1972.Larson describes herself as a storyteller. Whether it’s writing, speaking, filming, or digital designing, She aims to make stories relatable, entertaining, and memorable for her audiences. She completed her undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s in International Relations and minors in Environmental Sciences and World Religion / Philosophy. She worked in Texas politics prior to serving as a minister in the USAFR Chaplains Corps and for a church in Denver. She successfully helped start a recovery non-profit before growing her skills in tech as a web and graphic designer before launching her web and graphic business full-time. For more information, contact Jake Sorich at jsorich@greatfallslibrary.org or 406-453-0349 ex. 220.