Pam Parry, chair of the Department of Mass Media, was the host of Crisp Museum's weekly lecture series ‘Historic Talk Tuesday’ on the subject of women’s roles within the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration.

Parry is a well-practiced historian with multiple book publishings, including “Eisenhower: The Public Relations President” and “On Guard for Religious Liberty: Six Decades of the Baptist Joint Committee.” Parry is also the lead co-editor of the series “Women in American Political History,” which focuses on influential women throughout history and their impact on American politics.

Parry is a member of the Historians Review Board for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, where she provides advice on displays, films and exhibits while the museum is in the process of redesigning and expanding.

The lecture, which was inspired by the upcoming release of Parry’s new book, “Women and the Eisenhower Administration: Changing the Face of Politics,” explored and investigated President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s efforts in advancing women’s roles and opportunities in government throughout the 1950s.

“The talk was designed to provide an introduction of the information I learned while researching for the book,” Parry said. “It’s kind of a progress talk to welcome the book, and with that, hopefully, to pique some people's interest in reading it.”

Parry explains her goal when researching and presenting this information was to provide a unique perspective on the mentality of the president.

“People who write about history usually try to add to the history or correct the history. I wanted to expand on the history,” Parry said. “I think the subject has the potential in a small way to show the president in a different light, for people to view him a little differently.”

During the talk, Parry provided examples of the ways Eisenhower’s progressive attitude showed through his actions including pushing for equal work pay for women, testifying to award a bill that women should be a permanent part in the active military and promoted women in government by appointing Anne Wheaton Williams as his associate press secretary, which had never been done before in history.

Parry mentioned prominent figures in the administration including Oveta Culp Hobby, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and Clare Boothe Luce, who was the first American woman appointed to a major ambassadorial post abroad.

Parry explained although her book inspired the talk, she also found the subject to have general timeliness.

“Not only with the Me Too movement right now, but this year is also the 100th year of women getting the right to vote, so a lot of people are talking about women's issues,” Parry said.

Parry ended her talk by leading an open discussion with audience members on any remaining questions they had about the subject of the presentation.

“I want people to go away from this talk thinking that Dwight Eisenhower saw women had a real value in American citizenship and democracy, which was ahead of its time in the 1950s,” Parry said. “He knew the potential and value of women in American society and government.”

Crisp Museum’s next ‘Historic Talk Tuesday’ will be on Feb.4 at 7 p.m. hosted by Dr. R. Bruce McMillan.