Category Archives: Blog

March 31, 2014 · 9:13 pm

For the suffrage centennial, a variety of Montana activists share the spotlight

The Montana suffrage centennial activists are taking every opportunity to blow their bugles to announce some of the fabulous Montana women who put their lives on the line for equality and freedom. You can subscribe to the postings and be introduced to some of these individuals. Ella Knowles, known as the “Portia of the People,” is featured, and what she faced as an attorney is an eyeopener. When she started out as an attorney, she couldn’t take the bar exam because Montana law prevented women from doing so. She pressed the point and won. About fifty women were licensed to practice law by 1890 across the nation. The Montana suffrage web site has Ella’s life and accomplishments summarized, in addition to considerably more information. Follow Montana. It’s determined to get out the word in its suffrage centennial subscription series, “Women’s History Matters.” The Montana Historical Society is a driving force in the 2014 suffrage centennial and the impact is being noticed. During Women’s History Month, for example, these stories of Montana women are been diverse and fascinating.

A few examples during March that views the state’s women’s in the context of an ongoing social revolution: “Nannie Alderson: Pioneer Ranchwoman”(March 4); “Feminism Personified: Judy Smith and the Women’s Movement” (March 6); “Julia Ereaux Schultz, Health Advocate and Cultural Champion” (March 11); “Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the Church Universal and Triumphant, and the Creation of Utopia in Montana’s Paradise Valley” (March 13); “Behind Every Man: Nancy Cooper Russell” (March 18); “Legalized Midwifery: Montana Leads the Way” (March 20); “Men Were My Friends, but Women Were My Cause”: The Career and Feminism of Frances Edge” (March 25); “A ‘Compassionate Heart’ and ‘Keen Mind’: The Life of Doctor Caroline McGill” (March 27).

Follow SuffrageCentennials.com for news, views and updates.

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March 21, 2014 · 1:55 pm

A handy kit to celebrate Women’s History Month from the National Women’s History Project

Perplexed about how to celebrate Women’s History Month in March? The National Women’s History Project has items galore to decorate, educate, and lay the bases for having fun. It’s not necessary for it to be your suffrage centennial year. When Women’s History Month or week or day or whatever comes around, take advantage of it for a party or tea reception or fundraiser. The National Women’s History Project has kits; items can be purchased separately, such as the 2014 Gazette ($10 for 25 copies), plus balloons and pencils and books and games, and so on.

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March 14, 2014 · 3:56 pm

2014 is centennial of suffragist Caroline Severance’s death: Women’s History Month special!

Caroline Severance’s name isn’t among the list of those remembered as suffrage pioneers, but this photo shows Caroline second to the right with Susan B. Anthony in Los Angeles in 1905, along with Charlotte Wills and Rebecca Spring. The image suggests that Severance traveled in high-powered circles. Caroline grew up in the heart of what’s considered today as the “Cradle” of the women’s rights movement in the U.S. or the Finger Lakes region. Caroline Severance’s life and work are summarized in detail and featured in the “History of American Women” blog where we’re reminded that after moving to California her activist work there earned Caroline the distinction of being a key player in the movement for equality. Attention to suffrage history is increasing as the 2020 national suffrage centennial approaches. Here’s the link to the article about Caroline’s life. Read it and reflect on Caroline and scores of others like her who devoted their lives to freedom. PDF.

Attention to suffrage centennials doesn’t exist in isolation. Be on the cutting edge of those who are rocking the ‘Cradle” of the U.S. women’s rights movement. Visit LetsRockTheCradle.com

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March 1, 2014 · 5:11 am

Suffrage centennial celebrations depend on Women’s History Month observances

If you’re interested in suffrage centennials, whether for sport, pleasure, for educational purposes, a suffrage centennial gets its juice and its momentum from special observances of women’s history. The date may be different in countries around the world, but the ritual and significance is enhanced by becoming aware of Women’s History Month or other observances such as International Women’s Day. The deeper and rich significance of these celebrations is particularly meaningful when there’s a message of struggle and freedom won by women. It’s all too common for centennial celebrations to be no more than a flash in the pan in a world overrun with images and messages. Don’t lose heart. There are increasingly more events and celebrations. The internet has many resources, including an excellent resource from the Library of Congress with a teacher’s guide, primary documents, and images. This link has valuable course outlines actually used in college and university programs. Dust off your teapot and invite people over for a special tea party with home-baked goodies. Don’t let Women’s History Month (March) or International Women’s Day (March 8) pass without some special recognition!

 

 

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February 16, 2014 · 3:53 am

A Trilogy about the Amazons of the suffrage movement

This year, 2014, is the centennial of a part of English suffrage history about which little is known: how the militant wing of the suffrage movement organized a secret society of “Amazons,” known as the Bodyguard. It was group of about 25 athletic, dedicated women trained in the martial arts who provided security escorts for suffragette leaders released under the Cat and Mouse Act. Largely self-taught in the crafts of espionage and subterfuge, they made effective use of decoy and deception tactics and occasionally resorted to street brawling with the police. The Mrs. Pankhurst’s Amazons trilogy is inspired by their adventures. To complete article.

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February 1, 2014 · 2:35 pm

Suffrage centennials are hot!

The word is just getting around about how hot suffrage centennials can be. A great example is the aftermath of the 2013 suffrage centennial honoring English suffragette and martyr Emily Davison. The 2013 centennial of her dramatic death received considerable attention. And the observance isn’t over yet, now that’s there’s a wider audience. Suffrage centennials honor the past, and they are opportunities to weave in the present day and a vision for the future. On February 13, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the Jubilee Room, Houses of Parliament in London, the play “To Freedom’s Cause” will be performed, along with a debate about the influence of Davison’s legacy on feminism today.

Supporters will be invited to sign a petition to erect a statue in Parliament and the debate will be opened on Twitter, using the hashtag #Emilymatters.

“To Freedom’s Cause,” was premiered in 2013 at the time of the Davison centennial. For more information, check with play creator Kate Willoughby who calls herself “a temporary suffragette,” and someone who has fallen in love with Emily Davison’s story. The play lays out the powerful tale of the people who came into contact with Emily, those who changed her life and whose lives she changed. Music and song are important elements. The suffragettes were known for their singing. It helped to keep their spirits up during the long spells of imprisonment.

Notes Kate Willoughby: “Emily’s final, iconic act involved the King’s jockey, Herbert Jones. A celebrated sportsman at the peak of his career, Herbert’s life would decades afterwards end in tragedy. However, Herbert’s later life has often been misrepresented and so in “To Freedom’s Cuase’ I seek to redress this.

“Over the years there has been a great deal of speculation about Emily’s motivation for stopping Anmer, the King’s horse: Was it suicide?  Was it naïve?  Or was it just an accident?  ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ offers some insight into the exact truth of the situation.

“Working on ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ has been a labour of love and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me develop this fresh retelling of Emily Wilding Davison’s story. A fun-loving, vivacious woman, whose courage, in the face of adversity, can inspire us all.”

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January 19, 2014 · 3:11 pm

Noteworthy suffrage centennial approach in Montana

The Montana Historical Society has grabbed the reigns in terms of the celebration of its suffrage centennial during 2014. Their campaign slogan, the Year of Women in History, is upfront about coming at the subject matter as an underdog. Women have been left out of Montana history is the statement entering the year-long celebration and the goal is to spark a wider recognition of women in history, not only educated women who have been high achievers, but also women from all walks of life who have left a trail behind them.

Montana women's suffrage website project

“Women have not been at the center of power, so when we tell  history from the perspective of people in power, we often leave women out,” said MHS Historical Specialist Martha Kohl in an article for the Sidney Herald. Native American women were not included in Montana’s 1914 victory, something the suffrage centennial celebrants are determined to do something about. African-American women are highlighted, as well as a wide variety of the many activists it took to make it possible for Montana women to vote.

The website has already been launched and it’s a fine example of possibilities for other states as well as the upcoming U.S. suffrage centennial in 2020. Funding for the website and other aspects of the project are provided, in part, by Montana’s Cultural Trust. Pay a visit. It’s worth it. Subscribe. The diversity of the articles so far is a stunning example of possibilities. Photo: Montana Historical Society.

Follow Suffrage Centennials with email and Twitter.

 

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January 15, 2014 · 1:49 pm

100-year English suffrage collection is now personal and public

Boff Whalley, contemporary musician, has written a musical about an English suffragette that was inspired after seeing a friend’s collection of her grandmother’s suffrage memorabilia that’s now 100 years old. “Wrong ‘Un” will open in mid January 2014 and tell the story of Annie Wilde, a mill worker who campaigned for women’s right to vote. The friend’s grandmother went to Holloway prison and served time for the crime of women demanding democratic participation in the affairs of government. The persistent resistance pushed some English activists to take bold steps to win their cause. The UK has had numerous events and celebrations about their suffrage movement during the past year. There a telly suffrage sit-com underway, “Up the Women,” and a major motion picture in production. Hurray for suffrage celebrants in the UK. They take their suffrage movement history seriously. For more information about “Wrong ‘UN,” see: #1. #2. 

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January 3, 2014 · 1:49 pm

Montana is raring to go with its suffrage centennial celebration in 2014!

The Montana women are calling their suffrage centennial, “Women’s History Matters.” And with photos from the Montana Historical Society, they’ve come roaring around the bend with a great web site and a year’s program for all of us to look forward to. Martha Kohl, who’s heading up the year-long observance, said that an experience at several recent conferences really turned her head aorund. She asked audience members to write down the names of five Montana women in the 19th and 20th century. This was a challnge. Is it because there were no Montana women who could be distinguished for anything? Hardly. And this is precisely what “Women’s History Matters” will be setting out to correct. For more information.

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December 22, 2013 · 3:18 pm

Youth plant tree to honor suffrage centennial of suffragette Emily Davison

Teignbridge youth parliament members have planted a tree to honor the suffrage centennial of activist Emily Davison’s death. The controversial act of Davison throwing herself in front of the King’s horse to draw attention to an injustice has fascinated people in the UK, especially in this 100th year since Davison’s death. There have been numerous womens suffrage exhibits, performances, demonstrations, books and films associated with this suffrage centennial. This tree planting is yet another example of the attention being showered on this important part of English history. Tree planting was an important part of the suffrage movement. The women who served hard prison time for the cause were encouraged to plant a fir tree at Eagle House near Bath. Only one of these trees remain. For more information: #1. #2.

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