TO: Friends celebrating the women’s suffrage centennial
FROM: Robert Cooney
We hope all of you are well. In addition to the other worries related to the COVID virus, it’s likely that you are discouraged that your long planned activities to celebrate the suffrage centennial have not or may not come to pass. This is a big disappointment for us all.
AN APPEAL LETTER TO THOSE WHO MAY BE DISCOURAGED ABOUT 2020
However, we are committed to recognizing the women’s suffrage centennial despite the challenges we face. While there is every reason to feel discouraged, we can embrace the behavior of the women we celebrate – and adapt and persevere!
DO WHAT YOU CAN TO EXTEND THE SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL. . .
After consulting with many of you around the country, we believe it’s important to encourage the extension of the suffrage centennial through 2021. Many groups, individuals and institutions are already making plans. With this larger timeline in mind, we can continue throughout 2020 as much as possible, and then use 2021 to make up for the dislocation caused by the virus and even create new tributes. We can’t let the virus overwhelm recognition of women’s historic breakthrough. We can reclaim and make the most of the lost time.
We all hope and plan for events and exhibits to reopen relatively soon. But regardless, since the 100th anniversary year lasts until August 26, 2021, we suggest that organizations begin now to consider and plan for a clear and deliberate extension of centennial-related commemorations into 2021. The sooner we let partners, institutions and the media know the better. We realize that some groups will not want to or be able to do this, but we anticipate that many will.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER ON THIS!
Our two organizations will continue to share useful resources and information about how our community is coping and planning for the future. Please keep us updated on your activity. We appreciate your news, ideas, feedback and cooperation.
SO MANY CENTENNIAL RESOURCES ONLINE
In the meantime, there are countless centennial resources to take advantage of online. The NWHA’s “Women Win the Vote” Gazette has hundreds of links plus state and national news. Download it from http://www.nwha1980.org. Also point people to http://www.2020Centennial.org, where they can learn more.
We are very grateful that the Rose Parade Float and so many suffrage centennial events took place during the first few months of 2020. And we know that, after this challenge passes, great opportunities lie ahead.
Onward with each other,
National Women’s History Alliance and the
2020 Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative
Contact: RobertCooney@ebold.com
FOLLOW SUFFRAGECENTENNIALS.COM
We have been publishing since 2013. Visit our sister site: Suffrage Wagon News Channel.
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