Please check the Schedule for upcoming appearances by Bonnie Hurd Smith.

Bonnie Hurd Smith would be delighted to present one of the following Powerpoint presentations on Judith Sargent Murray for your organization. Please contact her to schedule a date.


Recovering a Voice for Equality:
The Life & Letters of Judith Sargent Murray
Few women had a public voice in the days of the early republic, or left behind personal records of their experiences. But one woman, Judith Sargent Murray did both. Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1751 and a resident of Boston for almost twenty-five years, this well-known author and champion of female equality, education, economic independence, and political involvement kept letter books throughout her remarkable life. Blank volumes in which Murray made copies of the letters she wrote to family, friends, and political figures, her letter books offer a new eyewitness account of American history left behind by an observant, thoughtful woman who was also a professional writer. In 2003, Bonnie Hurd Smith initiated a multi-year project to transcribe, index, and publish all twenty of Murray’s letter books. In her illustrated talk, Bonnie discusses the fascinating content of Murray’s letter books, pairing excerpts from the letters with dozens of images that illustrate her life in Gloucester and Boston, her travels in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, and her observations of political figures, events, and ideas. One hour: 45-minute presentation, 15 minutes (plus) for questions.


Judith Sargent and John Murray:
An Eighteenth-century Love Story
Judith Sargent Stevens was twenty-three years old, lovely, and intellectually curious. John Murray was a robust thirty-three-year-old man whose charismatic presence and outgoing personality dominated the room. But Judith was married. Any thought of a romance with John was out of the question. Instead, Judith hoped they could “surely, and with the strictest propriety, mingle souls upon paper” by writing to each other. Using Judith Sargent Murray’s letters to tell the timeless love story of these two prominent eighteenth century figures, Bonnie Hurd Smith skillfully brings to life the story of their fourteen-year friendship, their twenty-seven-year marriage, and the many years they supported each others’ work with mutual respect and affection. This talk complements Bonnie's book "Mingling Souls Upon Paper": An Eighteenth-century Love Story which can be made available for sale as part of her talk. One hour: 45-minute presentation, 15 minutes (plus) for questions.


Forming a New Era in Female History:
The Life & Legacy of Judith Sargent Murray
In 1790, Judith Sargent Murray’s essay “On the Equality of the Sexes” appeared in the prestigious Massachusetts Magazine. It was the first of many essays she would write on female equality and abilities, calling for improved education for women, and economic and political rights. Her essay is considered the first public claim for female equality in America. Murray also used the power of her public literary voice—writing under a male pen name during the optimistic days of the New Republic—to encourage philanthropy, a virtuous citizenship, and a responsible republic; to decry violence and war, promote respect for Nature, and marriage equality. Using excerpts from Murray’s essays and personal letters, Bonnie Hurd Smith presents an engaging biographical sketch of a leading figure in the story of progress for women in America whose voice and impact are finally being recognized. One hour-plus: 60-minute presentation, 15 minutes (plus) for questions.


Learn more about Bonnie Hurd Smith's illustrated talks on other women's history subjects.