Upcoming Speaker Series: Mary-Jo Wainwright

North Star House is hosting an afternoon lecture with historian Mary-Jo Wainwright examining the roles of women in the United States during the Progressive Era (1895–1930), a time of major social change when women were increasingly entering public life, reform movements, and professional fields.

The lecture, titled “Reluctant Reformers: Mary Hallock Foote & Julia Morgan in the Progressive Era,” will explore the Progressive Movement—what it was, what problems reformers sought to solve, and how women working in fields like literature, architecture, and civic life helped shape this transformative period.

The talk will also connect these broader national developments to Mary Hallock Foote and Julia Morgan, two influential women whose lives intersect with the story of North Star House. Mary Hallock Foote, an author and illustrator known for her vivid portrayals of life in the American West, and Julia Morgan, the first licensed female architect in California, both worked during a time when women were redefining what was possible in creative and professional fields.

Wainwright’s talk explores the idea that many women of the Progressive Era were not necessarily outspoken reform advocates. Instead, figures like Mary Hallock Foote and Julia Morgan quietly transformed society through the way they lived and worked. By pursuing careers, creative work, and intellectual life in fields that had long excluded women, they helped reshape expectations and possibilities for future generations.

Through historical context and storytelling, the presentation will highlight how women’s contributions during the Progressive Era helped reshape American society and continue to influence how we understand history today.

Event Details

When: Saturday, March 15 | 1:00–3:00 PM

Where: North Star House

Tickets: Early bird tickets: $15$20 at the door

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

About the Speaker

Mary-Jo Wainwright is a historian and educator specializing in United States and California history. She holds a BA in History from the University of California, Berkeley and an MA in Public History from California State University, East Bay.

Mary-Jo has taught history at Imperial Valley College and San Diego State University, and previously served as Director of Education at the World Affairs Council in San Francisco, where she developed educational programming focused on global affairs and public understanding of history.

She currently works as a historical consultant for Peralta Hacienda Historical Park in Oakland, helping support public engagement with history through research, interpretation, and education. Mary-Jo is known for making complex historical topics accessible and engaging through thoughtful storytelling and deep historical insight.