Stephanie Saunders will discuss the histor ical research behind her novel Covered Buttons\, set in the Arkansas Ozark s in 1939. After the Great Depression\, Hilda Cornish and other Little Roc k women and community leaders worked to expand access to birth control ami d poverty and restrictive social expectations. Drawing on historian Dr. Ma rianne Leung&rsquo\;s scholarship\, historical newspapers\, and firsthand letters from women seeking care\, Saunders will explore how these sources shaped her portrayal of motherhood\, friendship\, and women&rsquo\;s empow erment. She will discuss the process of weaving archival research into fic tion\, bringing the intimate experiences of Arkansas women into a coming-o f-age story about imagining a different future.
\nWe are excited to offer a lunch including a sandwich\, chips\, a cookie\, and a drink to in-person attendees in 2026\, courtesy of the CALS Foundation. Me als are limited and will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. We cannot accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies\, and registration d oes not guarantee lunch will be available. Registration is not required\, but is recommended to help us in planning and event promotion. \; \;
\nStephanie Saunders is Associate Professor of Spa nish and Director of Honors Fellows at Lyon College. She holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies and is the author of Fashion\, Gender and Agency in L atin American and Spanish Literature (2021) and co-editor of The New Latin American Fashion Reader (2025). Her scholarly work\, publis hed internationally\, focuses on gender\, identity and cultural expression &mdash\;perspectives that inform her fiction. Her debut historical novel\, Covered Buttons\, was selected as a 2026 Arkansas Gem 2026 by th e Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library.
\nLegacies and Lunch is a free monthly program of the CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies\, fo cusing on Arkansas-related topics. This is a hybrid program offering parti cipants the opportunity to attend either in person or virtually via Zoom. To participate in person\, join us at the Darragh Center on the 5th floor of the CALS Main Library (with elevator access). Parking is available in t he surface lot (accessible from 2nd St.) and the CALS parking deck (access ible from Rock Street). Parking will be validated. To participate virtuall y\, register for the webinar using the button above.
\nA SL interpretation will be provided for this program. For any questions abo ut the program please call 501.320.5726 or email Danielle Afsordeh.
\nThis program will be live-streamed to YouTube\, and the reco rding will be available immediately following the event.
\nLegacies &\; Lunch is a free monthly program of CALS Butler Cent er for Arkansas Studies about Arkansas-related topics.
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