A Prediction about August 26th and the Memories of Americans

We are on a roll convincing Americans that August 26th, Women’s Equality Day, should be a national holiday. The National Women’s History Project has been testing the water on this. It appears that the idea is beginning to catch hold. It hasn’t happened yet, and no one is predicting any arguments in public. The idea is just starting to register. And swells take quite a while to begin rolling on the ground.

This is no fly-by-night idea. Discussions about the importance of August 26th have been kicking around for a while. The U.S. Congress got Women’s Equality Day up and running. The same with March, Women’s History Month, designed in large part, to write women into history—supported and nursed by the Women’s National History Project over the past 40 years. Writing women into history is, by no means, a radical idea.

But since women have been an unrecognized resource in our nation, we have to look to the future, and we see a future where August 26th is recognized for what it is—an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of millions of Americans.

Let’s bring August 26th out into the Light. One web platform has a rallying cry: Lets Rock the Cradle.

Check it out: LetsRockTheCradle.com

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Special message from Molly Murphy MacGregor with IMPT news!

The co-founder of the National Women’s History Project, Molly Murphy MacGregor, made an important announcement affirming two things—that the organization will be changing its name and that making August 26th a federal holiday is an important priority for the citizens of the United States. Here is her message:

My friends,

This is just the beginning of our effort to ensure that August 26. 2020 will be declared as a federal holiday,  Many have been waiting to contact their elective representatives until after the November election to begin their lobbying effort.  Still, others have already begun and are organizing events, celebrations, and demonstrations throughout the county.  Whatever you have decided to do, the National Women’s History Alliance, formerly known as the National Women’s History Project will be with you all the way.

In the past, this has been a slow time of the year for us, but that will probably never be true again.  With my retirement just 29 months ahead, we are in the depths of planning an extensive transition.

We have begun by changing our name to the National Women’s History Alliance which better explains our work and focus. We will emphasize and solidify our work as the national clearinghouse for multicultural women’s history.  The name change has become official, but our big announcement will be in January 2019 with the publication and distribution of the 2019 Women’s History Gazette.

It is our hope that you will be active in promoting women’s history and even in recruiting new Alliance members. One of the goals of the National Women’s History Alliance is to expand the celebrations of women’s history past March and into the rest of the year.  Until after the 2020 Centennial, we will be producing two Gazettes, the first will focus on the year’s theme and honorees (to be celebrated throughout the year) and the second will focus on the importance of the women’s full participation in our democracy.  We are excited about all our new plans and we could really use your help.

We are in the process of seeking new Board and Committee members.  If you would like to participate more closely in the array of activities and promotions we do, please let me know.  I would be happy to give you more information depending on your interest and the commitment you would like to make. Please email me at nwhp@nwhp.org.

I hope you will celebrate Women’s Equality Day now and in the future.  This is a link to some great ways to celebrate.  https://www.bustle.com/p/10-productive-ways-to-spend-womens-equality-day-2018-10193052

Sending lots of good wishes – Forward Together!

Molly Murphy MacGregor.

REMEMBER INEZ MILHOLLAND, THE US SUFFRAGE MARTYR!

In 2016 the National Women’s History Project honored Inez Milholland with a year long observance of 100 years since her death.

Follow the Inez centennial blog.

Suffrage Centennials is gearing up for 2020, the centennial of American women voting. It’s also an election year.

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Plan a fall trip to see women’s history road markers & find out about similar work around US!

If you are planning a fall trip, consider visiting Long island where the historic roadside marker commemorating the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage campaign wagon used by Edna Kearns is one of many on the island commemorating first wave women’s rights organizing organizing there. Many of these road markers are funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, as well as other community groups in the process of building a votes for women trail.

Historic commemorative road markers are appearing across the United States as part of an ongoing program of The National Historic Landmarks Program’s Women’s History Initiative. Many new historic sites and commemorations are being planned for 2020 and earlier.

YOU’RE SEEING MORE SUFFRAGE-RELATED ROAD MARKERS:

The National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites (NCWHS) invites you and your organization to become a member. 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. The Collaborative makes women’s contributions to history visible so that all women’s experience and potential can be recognized and valued. Member support is essential in helping NCWHS carry out its mission. Link.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Huntington, NY roadside marker dedicated in April 2018 commemorates a parade and suffrage rally on Huntington’s main street (Wall and Main Streets) in July of 1913 involving suffrage activist Edna Kearns and Mrs. Mary Jones, a local “anti” activist. See Suffrage Wagon News Channel (SuffrageWagon.org) for more information about the Huntington, NY roadside marker.

ALSO, check out web site dedicated to honor Inez Milholland, our US suffrage martyr. The National Women’s History Project sells pins honoring Inez Milholland. Check the numerous gifts at the online store.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Zakiya Thomas will serve as the new National Women’s Party executive director in Washington,DC. Zakiya joins the NWP at a critical juncture as it prepares for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and reaffirms its commitment to advance full constitutional equality for women.

The NWP will launch a nationwide multi-year initiative in 2019 by using its historic collection of women’s rights artifacts to inspire action toward full equality for women. The initiative will be conducted in partnership with local civic organizations, individual and business leaders, and advocates.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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