American Experience

Mary Elizabeth Lease: The Advocate

Clip: Season 30 | 1m 32s

In 1890s Kansas, farmers were working hard and producing a great bounty for the nation, but they weren’t getting the financial benefits. Mary Elizabeth Lease — known for making speeches about woman’s rights, the suffrage movement, and labor unions — took up the cause of the farmers. Lease stumped for the Kansas People’s Party. Filmmaker Sarah Colt introduces this advocate.

Aired: 02/06/18 | Rating: NR

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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