THE STORY OF JULY 4TH LONG AGO. . .
Over 140 years ago on July 4th, suffrage activists traveled to Philadelphia to be part of the nation’s celebration of the Declaration of Independence. It was too good of an opportunity not to make the point that the American Revolution was far from finished as far as women were concerned.
THE UNFINISHED REVOLUTION WAS CITED OFTEN BY THE EARLY WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISTS!
The women’s rights activists of 1876 asked permission to be part of the Philadelphia centennial program and were refused. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote about the day in vivid detail in her memoir. This is Part I read by Suffrage Wagon reader, Amelia Bowen, who says this is one of her favorite selections. I’m turning up the volume as I’m counting out one paper plate, one cup, tableware, and a napkin on my way to the outside picnic table.
IN OTHER NEWS FROM SUFFRAGE CENTENNIALS. . .
Go directly to the suffrage catalog compiled by Bob Cooney for the National Women’s History Alliance. The catalog can now be directly consulted at its own URL. In addition, there are four additional pages devoted to items perfect for suffrage centennial and related events and programs. Link.
QUAKER THEME IN THE STORY OF EDNA BUCKMAN KEARNS EMPHASIZED IN SUFFRAGE WAGON BLOG
Edna Buckman Kearns was a Quaker. She wasn’t on a sports team at a Philadelphia-area college. And she didn’t have oatmeal for breakfast every morning. Quakers, or those associated with the Religious Society of Friends, have struggled for decades with the result of what many term as a cultural appropriation of the label, Quakers, and what this has meant. Quakers struggled with the moral, legal, and commercial implications of slavery until banning it within their ranks before the Civil War.
“The Vote,” the PBS documentary, due to be broadcast on July 6 and 7, 2020, explains the basics of Quaker spiritual foundations in equality and the importance of Quaker women in various roles during the early women’s rights movement. It’s an important contribution to the discussion of how and why outside influences such as Native American equality traditions and those practicing equality in their personal lives were essential to the larger picture.
CONVENTION DAYS IN SENECA FALLS, NY DURING 2020
Do a search for “Convention Days” and “Seneca Falls” to find out the status of 2020 celebrations in Seneca Falls, NY. Some events and programs have been cancelled or rescheduled. Others have shifted to online. Check out this virtual conference, advertised below, in late July 2020.
SuffrageCentennials.com has been publishing since 2013.
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