Modupe Labode spoke Wednesday on the struggles of women in colonial times. Labode is a teacher of history at Iowa State, teaching History 377; a class not far from this topic called “Women in Imperialism.”

Labode, an expert on African-American history, discussed and took questions from listeners in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union on the topic of women in imperialism.

She told of two biographies that were written by women that had lived in colonial times.

The first biography mentioned was about Mary Kansley, a woman who grew up without any education outside of the home and wasn’t expected to work outside of the home. As a young girl, she helped her mother. She continued helping her family when she and her mother traveled to Cambridge to take care of her brother.

After her parents died when she was 30, Kansley began to travel a lot. She wrote books on her travels and was regarded as a lady and an expert on Africa. Kansley died in 1900 while on her way to travel to nurse POW’s of the British government.

The second biography mentioned was about Mary Seacole. Seacole was born in Jamaica. She didn’t begin traveling until her forties, and during this time wanted to be a nurse.

She went to London and was turned down by almost everyone, including Florence Nightingale, a 19th century reformer for nursing practices. Eventually, Seacole accomplished her goals and set up a nursing station in Turkey.

“Working class women were urged to make their sons strong for the empire,” Labode said.

Ideas of sisterhood were also factors in colonial times. Women believed that they should “rule the empire with a woman’s hand. “

Labode picked out certain topics that were important in colonial times, such as social and economical exploitation of women.

“Labode is absolutely right on social exploitation of women in colonial times. It’s easy to make rash judgments, but the whole picture must be looked at,” said Hamilton Cravens, a history professor.

The YWCA will be holding these discussions every Wednesday. On Sept. 25, the topic will be “How a Woman’s College Affects a Woman’s Education,” and “The Term ‘Race.’ Is it Appropriate?” on Oct. 9.