Category Archives: Blog

September 14, 2018 · 5:48 pm

Love of suffrage road markers sweeping the nation! PLUS NEWS!

Pomeroy Foundation officials say their centennial marker grant program is proving to be popular. The organization is collaborating with Humanities New York to make community markers available to  strengthen cultural heritage tourism and bring much needed attention to people, places, and parts of history more Americans want to know about.

The above graphic shows part of a leaflet distributed by the Pomeroy Foundation with thanks to Suffrage Wagon News Channel. Many activists have worked with local communities and citizens to fund over 300 markers so far, and there are more to come.

The leaflet features the marker program combined with America’s suffrage martyr—a combination that will prove to be popular as 2020 approaches—the centennial celebration of women voting in the United States.

The National Women’s History Project devoted a year in 2016 to bring Inez MIlholland to public attention on the centennial of her death in 1916. Marguerite Kearns and Robert P.J. Cooney Jr. coordinated the effort. Martha Wheelock produced a 15-minute film in 2015 on Inez Milholland that has turned the tide as far as public opinion is concerned.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The League of Women Voters nationally has been filing in court to preserve the electoral system. This includes suits in North Carolina and Arizona. The first wave of the women’s rights movement in the US worked long and hard to win voting rights for women. Now there are centennial observances coming up which bring up the issue of the health of the electoral system and widespread attempts to undermine it.

September 17, 2018 is Constitution Day. Make sure you have something planned as a celebration. Our special interest is in the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. If you didn’t get it on your calendar for 2018, make sure it’s there for planning purposes in 2019 and 2020.

The City of New York has set aside $10 million over the next four years through the Department of Cultural Affairs to diversify public art. Members of the public sent in close to 2,000 suggestions about who the candidates for memorials and statues might be.

Follow the centennial blog on Inez Milholland, the U.S. suffrage martyr:

InezMilholland.wordpress.com

And check for new developments: SuffrageCentennials.com   SuffrageWagon.org  LetsRockTheCradle.com

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September 12, 2018 · 1:31 pm

Focus on Tennessee: Ratification story, plus special research project!

We’re focusing on Tennessee—a research project about African-American women in the suffrage movement, and another view of the ratification story. Do you know the story about Pete Seeger and his aunt, Anita Pollitzer? It’s another perspective on how American women won the right to vote in the state, Tennessee, that brought about the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. ALSO, an event in Maryland and update on Inez Milholland memorabilia.

It’s worth reading! Continue supporting Suffrage Centennials!

Pete Seeger, Anita Pollitzer And The “War Of The Roses”

Special meeting on September 15, 2018 about “Protect the Legacy,” a statewide project in Tennessee focusing on uncovering suffrage stories about African-American women and their political activity in Knoxville, TN at the Beck Cultural Center.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Another event in 2018 with the 2020 suffrage centennial in mind at the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center. ALSO, the Inez Milholland stickers are in the store at the National Women’s History Project. They are $1 and great souvenirs for your next event. Breaking news—the NWHP is changing its name to the National History Alliance. It will take a while for the change to be complete. When you’re thinking about gift ideas for the 2018 holidays, visit the NWHP store.

SuffrageCentennials.com started publishing in 2013.

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September 9, 2018 · 8:18 pm

Reminder notice…you may be a first wave voting rights activist descendant!

Dear Friends,

We said this before, and we’re saying it again. You may be a votes for women, first wave women’s rights descendant, and not know it.

If you are, you aren’t alone. Tens of thousands of women and their allies spent decades working for the right to vote from 1848 (and before) through 1920.

In 2020, US women will have been voting for 100 years. That you may be descended from the first wave of American voting rights activists shouldn’t be passed over lightly. Many families didn’t mention this association and organizing priority to their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other descendants.

Are there interests you have and activities that you’ve not mentioned to friends and family members? Of course.

Even if you can’t make a direct family connection, the first wave of the women’s rights movement in the United States is an important and essential part of our national legacy and history…whether you’re a young person, woman, man, or wherever you find yourself on the gender continuum.

The chances are excellent that you are descended, either directly or by interest, to the tens of thousands of voting rights activists and their allies who worked and sweated for decades to win the right to vote. If you aren’t directly related, you may be a descendent in some other way—spiritual or because of your level of interest.

There are many citizens who define themselves as first wave women’s rights descendants because they are passionate about this part of American history. By combining the accomplishments of all the waves of rights activists, we find ourselves standing on strong shoulders.

Our place in history will be celebrated during 2020, and we want to make sure you’re part of this turning point in time.

Sign up to receive the Suffrage Centennials quarterly newsletter. You can also choose to receive weekly posts by adding your email to the form on the SuffrageCentennials.com web page.

There is no cost…only benefits. _

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September 3, 2018 · 5:21 am

Happy Labor Day from your friends at Suffrage Centennials!

What it means when we say: “Let’s Rock the Cradle” on Vimeo.

When someone says, “Lets Rock The Cradle,” they are also saying—”Let’s get these suffrage centennials underway.” This is a boost for suffrage centennial fans.

Stop in at LetsRockTheCradle.com and stay a while. LetsRockTheCradle started as a blogging tour of the “cradle” of the women’s rights movement in the US. The “cradle” is located in the Finger Lakes district of New York State.

Follow the exhibition news of the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage campaign wagon used by first wave activist Edna Kearns and others during 1913. The iconic wagon is in the collection of the New York State Musuem in Albany, NY.

Jump on the Suffrage Wagon at SuffrageWagon.org

AND HAPPY LABOR DAY!

The observance of suffrage centennials isn’t an obsession of only women. The first wave of the women’s rights movement in the United States wasn’t a monolithic effort conducted by one type of individual or organization. It was a loose coalition of the entire spectrum of activists—and this caused all sorts of challenges in addition to embarrassing moments when a vertical point of view collided with a horizontal social perspective. The movement depended on a highly sophisticated collaboration with men and organizing in many communities across the nation.

For most of the 20th century following the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, the stories of the first wave were forgotten. Now they are coming out of the mist and examined. It’s a fascinating process. The nation, states, and local communities are planning special events and commemorations for 2020.

What are you thinking about for 2020?

Follow SuffrageCentennials.com

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September 1, 2018 · 6:11 pm

Bringing Hattie Redmond and Inez Milholland out in the open!

EFFORT CONTINUES TO HONOR INEZ MILHOLLAND

One bulletin from Suffrage Wagon News Channel focuses on the continuing effort to bring Inez Milholland, the US suffrage martyr, to public attention. Over one hundred years have passed since her death, a turning point in the struggle of American women to win the right to vote.

The National Women’s History Project set aside 2016 to acknowledge the sacrifice of Inez Milholland. Marguerite Kearns and Robert P.J. Cooney coordinated the effort. InezMilhollandCentennial.com  And the centennial blog honoring Inez MIlholland continues publishing. Check it out.

InezMilholland.wordpress.com

Also: Twitter.com/SuffrageMartyr

NEWS FROM OREGON

Oregon’s statewide commemoration of women gaining access to the vote in 2012 has many highlights, and one of them is the uncovering of the history of black suffragist Harriet “Hattie” Redmond. She was intimately involved in the campaign of 1912 by holding rallies and hosting speakers at her church, serving on the central planning committee, and registering to vote in early 1913 after Oregon’s constitution was amended. Recently Oregon State University announced that one of their buildings is being renamed the  Hattie Redmond Women and Gender Center. This is part of an effort to rename campus buildings associated with slave owners and supporters of slavery at OSU.

More interest than ever is being generated by the upcoming 2020 national suffrage centennial with the centennial observance of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. The UK is celebrating its 100th year of women voting during 2018.

SUFFRAGE CENTENNIALS LOOKS FORWARD TO 2020

Follow: SuffrageCentennials.com for news and views. Celebrate women’s history on Labor Day. The amount of effort and strenuous work put into the first wave of the women’s rights movement is being recognized, finally!

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August 29, 2018 · 9:30 pm

Votes for women gift idea—classic reference book on suffrage movement, plus NEWS!

Need a gift idea? This comprehensive work, The Vote: The Triumph of the Woman Suffrage Movement, is a classic introduction and votes for women movement resource. Available from the National Women’s History Project and American Graphic Press. A great resource when planning for 2020 suffrage centennial observances and celebrations.

“Winning the Vote” by Robert P.J. Cooney, Jr. on Vimeo.

THE DEBATE OVER THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

With one state to go on the ratification of the ERA, the debate continues. This lengthy radio program presents a range of opinion. In 2023, US women will have been working for 100 years to include equal rights for women in the US Constitution.

HISTORIC ROAD MARKERS ARE PART OF A NATIONAL MOVEMENT WITH 2020 IN MIND

BELOW: Article about the road marker funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation highlighting the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage wagon used by Edna Kearns and others in 1913 votes for women organizing in New York City and on Long island.

 Link to “Huntington Now.”

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August 26, 2018 · 3:44 pm

HAPPY WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY…!

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HISTORY ALLIANCE: Membership is free though the National Women’s History Project that is making it a priority to work toward making August 26th a federal holiday. Sign up at the NWHP store.

Use the NWHP Gazette to hand out at special events. Order at the NWHP store.

STICKERS OF INEZ MILHOLLAND COMING SOON TO NWHP STORE

While you’re waiting for the stickers to come in, order an Inez Milholland button. These have been popular to hand out when showing the 15-minute film, “Forward into Light,” the feature video produced by Martha Wheelock and Wild West Women. Order the button through the NWHP online store. There’s also an Inez centennial poster and a book about Inez Milholland’s last campaign by Robert P.J. Cooney, Jr. Take note! And we’ll let you know when the Inez stickers are available.

InezMilholland.wordpress.com is the blog for the Inez centennial web site. 

August 26, 2020 is the focal point of the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution when American women will have been voting for 100 years. Have you started planning yet for a special program during 2020?

Visit our sister sites: Suffrage Wagon News Channel and LetsRockTheCradle.com

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August 24, 2018 · 9:01 pm

Work ongoing to highlight women’s history sites nationwide…PLUS news!

“SHE BUILT NYC”:
 
The city of New York’s public art initiative will commission artworks honoring women’s history. The mayor and the Department of Cultural Affairs, has committed up to $10 million over the next four years to fund new permanent public monuments and other works.The “She Built NYC” initiative kicked off on June 20 with a call for nominations of women or historical events that significantly impacted New York City. Members of the public made nearly 2,000 suggestions. The city will narrow the list to five finalists for commemoration. An advisory panel will help match the women, group of women, or event to a public site.
A NIGHT IN SUFFRAGE WHITE
The Alice Paul Institute in New Jersey is celebrating Women’s Equality Day by hosting “A Night in Suffrage White” on Saturday, August 25, 2018— a day before the holiday commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment. Attendees are asked to wear all-white in honor of the suffragists. The event, which started in 2017, is BYO everything, from tables to chairs to dinner. The cost to attend will go to girls’ leadership programs at API. Tickets are $20 per person but can only be purchased in groups of four, six, eight, 10 or 12, so gather friends together to celebrate 98 years of US women having the right to vote.The pop-up dinner will be held at Paulsdale, in New Jersey, a National Historic Landmark that was the home of Alice Paul, a major leader in the women’s suffrage movement. The Alice Paul Institute at Paulsdale is located at 128 Hooten Road, Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

REMINDER:

August 26th is Women’s Equality Day. As 2020 and the national women’s suffrage centennial approaches, there is more interest than ever in those on the ground who witnessed and participated in this fascinating part of history. Find out what Marguerite Kearns has to say about growing up as the descendant of suffrage activists—Edna Buckman Kearns and Wilmer Kearns, her grandparents. Follow Marguerite on Suffrage Wagon News Channel that has been publishing since 2009.

CALL OF THE WILD—

Zoe Nicholson is celebrating her 70th birthday and she’s hearing the call of the wild. Give her a visit at MissAlicePaul.com The above clip from her email message urges friends to visit the SuffrageCentennials.com web site. We’re rooting for the terrific work Zoe has been doing with her theatrical piece about suffrage activist Alice Paul.

JOIN THE WORK OF PROMOTING WOMEN’S HISTORY SITES:

The National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites (NCWHS) invites new members. Founded in 2001, NCWHS supports and promotes the preservation and interpretation of sites and locales that bear witness to women’s participation in American life.

MEMBER BENEFITS—Women’s Sites are the focus!

Receive a copy of the published guides: Women’s History: Sites and Resources and Revealing Women’s History: Best Practices at Historic Sites.

  • Participate in the online member directory, viewable only by members and includes name, site and email contact information.
  • Access new member services as they are developed, including members-only content and a members’ forum.
  • Showcase your work on our website. We regularly post news from member sites on our homepage and on social media, and welcome news and contributions from members.
  • Enjoy exclusive access to NCWHS webinars and online workshops and other professional development opportunities to learn more about doing women’s history at historic sites.
  • Attend the NCWHS annual member meeting, held either online or in conjunction with a national conference in a related field.
  • Present your research at sessions NCWHS organizes at the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), National Council on Public History (NCPH), Berkshire Conference of Women Historians, the Organization of American Historians (OAH), and other national and regional conferences.
  • Become an active part of a national network of individuals, organizations and sites that share resources and promote the cause and each other.
  • NCWHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your membership and any other gift is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites

Follow on SuffrageCentennials.com

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August 22, 2018 · 7:22 pm

Heritage road markers for women’s rights—Visit Huntington, NY & locations with a women’s suffrage angle!!

Unveiling of “Spirit of 1776” heritage road marker in Huntington, NY on Vimeo.

The “Spirit of 1776” heritage road marker unveiling in Huntington, NY in April 2018 is part of an ongoing effort by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, in collaboration with citizens and interested Americans, to bring the nation’s history out in the open.

Antonia Petrash of the Long Island Woman Suffrage Association, Ellyn Okvist of the Lake Ronkonkoma Association, Professor Natalie Naylor, the Islip area branch of the American Association of University Women, the Islip Historical Society, and Suffrage Wagon News Channel are among the advocates on the ground on Long Island (NY) to create a visible and publicly supported suffrage trail to encourage and support cultural heritage tourism.

Among the suffrage markers already installed on Long Island through the Pomeroy Foundation and other supporters are tribute markers to Ellen Sherman Pratt, Florence Gibb Pratt, Abigail E. Leonard, M. Olivia Sage, Mary L. Booth, Lillian Devere, May Croot Manson, Louisine W. Havemeyer, the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage wagon used by activist Edna Kearns, and others. Four plaques have been placed on buildings so far to honor activists.

IN OTHER NEWS

The League of Women Voters faces the hard truth about its origins and continues moving forward. See blog posting.

Historic sites with a suffrage movement angle are offering programs to enhance this theme with the approach of 2020, the nation’s suffrage centennial. One of these sites is the Vanderbilt family’s former home in Centerpoint, NY on 180 Little Neck Road where through September 2, 2018 there will be tours with a woman’s suffrage theme on Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30, 1,2,3 and 4 p.m., $8 per person, available at the door. For more information: 631-854-5579 or vanderbiltmuseum.org

The year 2020 is when U.S. women will have been voting for 100 years. It’s the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. For the past decade, efforts like the heritage road markers have been underway. The Pomeroy Foundation marker program, as well as many others, are part of this preparation. Plan a trip this summer to see some of the suffrage heritage markers already in place.

Does your state have a state suffrage commission, either funded or unfunded? Have you or your organization made plans for how you will celebrate 2020?

It’s not too early to start working on an event for 2020.

LetsRockTheCradle.com has a great article about Linda McKenney about what it has been like to step into Susan B. Anthony’s shoes. Take a look. Part II of the article is planned for August 23, 2018. Suffrage Wagon News Channel is a sister site to SuffrageCentennials.com

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August 17, 2018 · 5:13 pm

First wave descendants in the news—Teacher guide, PLUS suffrage centennial updates!

Find out about the Suffrage Wagon Cafe’s grand opening in 2015!

Suffrage Wagon Cafe sponsoring special programs since 2015! on Vimeo

CENTENNIAL UPDATES:

Join the August 26th annual “Toast to Tenacity,” sponsored each year by Vision 2020. This year’s event is Thursday, August 23, 2018—12 to 1 p.m.

August 18, 1920 was the actual date of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. The official date of this celebration is August 26th. This is the 98th year since the ratification and already, the nation is gearing up for the 2020 observance, an election year. Get busy planning now. SuffrageCentennials.com will bring you all the related news that fits.

FIRST WAVE DESCENDANTS IN THE NEWS

First wave descendant Coline Jenkins recently appeared on CBS morning news to talk about August 26th and Women’s Equality Day. Descendants of the first wave of women’s rights activists have a higher profile than ever. Jenkins is the great great granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Her high profile reflects years of her working behind the scenes with other descendants and interested citizens to bring the women’s suffrage movement out of obscurity and into the light. Descendants of Harriet Tubman and Ida B. Wells are making the news for special programs, including memorial statues.

CAMPAIGN TO MAKE AUGUST 26th A FEDERAL HOLIDAY

The National Women’s History Project has put out a call for those interested in supporting August 26th (Women’s Equality Day) to be registered as a federal holiday. Find out more at the NWHP’s web site.

WOMEN’S STATUES ARE MAKING HEADLINES

There are rumblings in the UK about a statue of Mrs. Pankhurst, the elder suffrage activist. Can there be too many statues of the famous leader? This is the controversy raging, well covered in the blog “Woman and her Sphere,” by Elizabeth Crawford. A planning application has been filed to dismantle one of the statues that’s causing backlash. Find out more.

A preview of the statue of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony planned for NYC’s Central Park is on exhibit through August 26th at the New York Historical Society, an American history museum and library located in New York City at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West in Manhattan, founded in 1804 as New York’s first museum.

FUNDRAISING FOR 2020:

Raising money by first wavers to support their campaigning was a challenge. And it remains a challenge for organizations acknowledging the first wave as the 2020 suffrage centennial approaches. The National Women’s Hall of Fame is sponsoring a series of fundraisers to enable the organization to move to new quarters in Seneca Falls, NY. There’s a whole lot of fundraising going on.

Turning Point Suffragist Memorial in Lorton, VA plans to open in August 2020. It’s not clear yet whether the opening will feature a complete offering of history treasures or if it will be partial. Your contribution makes an enormous difference!

New York Archives has an educators’ guide that fleshes out the articles published in the periodical and provides a link to the state’s curriculum standards, or the New York State Social Studies Framework. Paired with two articles from the summer issue, the guide provides supporting questions to direct students in reading articles and responding to questions relative to understanding primary sources. nysarchivestrust.org

A special National Women’s History Project luncheon has been scheduled to announce the 2018 Women’s History Month honorees to be recognized at an inaugural awards luncheon and program on Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 11 am to 2:30 pm. Location: Hilton Oakland Airport located at One Hegenberger Road in Oakland, CA. Below: Offerings from the NWHP store, a great source of gifts and women’s history memorabilia.Winning the Vote

Work is underway to create a national women’s trail to be announced during 2020, the national suffrage celebration. A total of 27 states are now represented. If you would like to get involved, call or email NCWHS president, Marsha Weinstein. Phone: 502-819-2537

Email: mweinst413@gmail.com.)

All the news that can fit about suffrage centennials, news, views, and special events turned out to be too much for one blog. That is why Suffrage Wagon Cafe has been busy since March of 2015 sponsoring special programs. And the activity isn’t over yet. During 2017, the year of the suffrage centennial in New York State, thousands relied on Suffrage Wagon News Channel for news about the first wave of the women’s rights movement in the US.

Visit other suffrage-friendly platforms, including LetsRockTheCradle.com and SuffrageWagon.org

Follow SuffrageCentennials.com that has been publishing since 2013. Suffrage Wagon Cafe is a source of special programs and videos about the first wave in the US. Video about the cafe’s grand opening in March of 2015.

 

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