TURN: Washington’s Spies shows Long Island in 1777 and Suffrage Wagon Cafe program shows what happened 100+ years later on Vimeo.
REFLECTING ON TV SPECIAL ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS SPIES
The TV special about George Washington’s spies in 2015 didn’t come and go without folks paying attention. There’s a connection between Long Island, the colonial spy network there, and the women’s suffrage movement. We also refer to the latter as the first wave of women’s rights activism in the nation.
An excellent article appeared on The New York History Blog (John Warren, editor) that gives more fascinating background on this part of our past. “Long Island’s Austin Roe: American Spy” by Michael DeBonis fills in more of the picture.
ROSALIE JONES AND THE ROAD MARKER INSTALLATION IN HUNTINGTON, NY
And it’s a woman, Rosalie Jones, a Long Island suffrage activist 100+ years later that demonstrates how the British occupation of New York City and Long Island still resonated with living memory of this past. The installation of a marker in the town of Huntington, NY in April 2018 is another reminder of this period of American history when the conflict over independence from England was still up in the air.
See article written by Huntington’s town historian, Robert Hughes.
WHO WAS ROSALIE JONES ANYWAY?
Rosalie Jones was high profile first wave activist from Long Island.
Rosalie Jones: A high-profile Long Island Suffragist on Vimeo.
HOW THE “SPIRIT OF 1776” SUFFRAGE WAGON MADE HISTORY
The incident involving Rosalie Jones, her mother Mary Jones, and Edna Kearns was commemorated in April of 2018 by the installation of a historic marker on the main street of Huntington, NY.
Unveiling of “Spirit of 1776” heritage road marker in Huntington, NY on Vimeo.
UPDATE ABOUT AUGUST 26TH AND A POSSIBLE FEDERAL HOLIDAY
What did you plan for August 26th—Women’s Equality Day—this year? We’re supporting the building a base of support, in people’s homes and communities across the nation to make the date a federal holiday. There’s a growing audience to hear about opportunities to get together, share food, and passions. The National Women’s History Project has been working for over 40 years to write women into American history. This is part of the continuing effort. And making August 26th into a holiday is a priority of the National Women’s History Project, an organization now known as the National Women’s History Alliance.
KEEPING THE STORY OF INEZ MILHOLLAND BEFORE THE PUBLIC
The NWHP sponsored a centennial observance of the death of Inez Milholland in 1916. The centennial blog of this effort is still broadcasting the news. Stop by and say hello: InezMilholland.wordpress.com
And find out about the terrific 15-minute film, “Forward into Light,” that is perfect to view for your organization’s events for August 26th and all during 2020, an election year and centennial of US women voting. It’s a terrific introduction to the country’s suffrage martyr. Find out more at: InezMilholland.org
REMINDER FROM THE NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM IN ALBANY, NY
The New York State Museum in Albany, NY will exhibit the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage campaign wagon used by Edna Kearns (resident of Long Island and NYC) and others in organizing for women’s voting rights. Are you planning a trip in 2020? There’s a lot being planned NOW.
VOTES FOR WOMEN CENTENNIAL INFORMATION RESOURCES
Here at Suffrage Centennials, we carry on. New York State is the “cradle” of the women’s rights movement in the United States. If you didn’t already visit the cradle in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, make plans for 2019 and 2020, the national suffrage centennial.
And visit our sister sites—Suffrage Wagon News Channel and LetsRockTheCradle.com
Get ready for 2020, the observance of 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution when the nation’s women will have been voting for 100 years.
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