Elizabeth Smith Miller, who helped women’s rights progress in central New York and beyond, will be the focus of a talk by of Morrisville State College professor emeritus Norm Dann at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17 at the Pompey Town Hall. 

Sponsored by the Pompey Historical Society, Dann will examine the perspectives that guided Smith Miller, including both domestic and political concerns about how women were treated in the 19th century. These led her to not only support women’s education and voting rights, but also to adopt a more liberating “bloomer” style of dress.

Born in Geneseo, NY, in 1822, Smith Miller also lived in Cazenovia, Peterboro and Geneva, making her a genuine Central New York heroine in the women’s rights movement. Raised by a wealthy, enlightened and politically active father, Smith Miller made her home a gathering place for many influential people of that era, including cousin Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

The public is also welcome to attend Dann’s talk, titled Ballots, Bloomers, and Marmalade.  The Pompey Town Hall is located on Route 20 at Pompey Center Road.