April 28, 2014 · 11:30 am

What’s a suffrage centennial without a pot of hot tea?

The suffrage movement activists relied on tea parties and receptions to build their movement, both in the US, England and other parts of the world. With this in mind, it’s fascinating to find a tea company in India building a mass social movement using tea advertising and worthy causes. And women voters are the target audience. With ongoing  suffrage centennials in two states (Montana and Nevada), the urge to plan an upcoming state centennial for New York in 2017 and the national suffrage centennial in 2020, it’s only common sense to start planning now.

Tea parties and receptions are perfect for suffrage celebrations in your own home and community. Ken Florey has a two-part series on the importance of tea parties and receptions in the suffrage movement. Take a look: Part #1. Part #2. Did you know that suffrage leader Alice Paul had a teahouse, the Grated Door, in Washington, DC.? Watch a video about picketing the White House and the importance of taking time at the Grated Door to unwind. Why all the focus on tea? Teas are still important fundraisers for women’s organizations and those organizations promoting women’s history today. And the internet has vintage cookbooks from the suffrage movement that are fascinating to use for reference. Join others who are gearing up to rock the “Cradle” of the U.S. women’s rights movement on LetsRockTheCradle.com 

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April 13, 2014 · 12:58 pm

Will the United States be ready to celebrate its 2020 suffrage centennial in Seneca Falls, NY?

Clues to an answer to the above question may be found in the release of the first administrative wrap up of the history of the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, the key location for any celebration of 100 years of women voting in the United States. The 450-page publication, “‘All Men and Women are Created Equal’:  An Administrative History of Women’s Rights National Historic Park” has been researched and written by Dr. Rebecca Conard, Professor of History and Director of the Public History Program at Middle Tennessee State University. The book cites interviews with park officials, park records and federal agency archives to document the beginnings and growth of the national park in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, N.Y. between 1976 and 2011.  The book includes maps, photographs, charts and appendices. An electronic summary is available.

The report abstract noted: “

The report is a welcome contribution for those of us supporting and promoting the celebration of suffrage centennials. It should be noted, however, that New York State has not yet started planning its 2017 state suffrage centennial, and there is no official commitment (so far) to make it a priority. In addition, projects requiring Congressional funding have come to a standstill. They include the creation and funding of a Harriet Tubman national park and the “Votes for Women” federal heritage trail located in the Finger Lakes region, or what is also referred to as the “Cradle” of the U.S. women’s rights movement.

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April 5, 2014 · 4:06 am

Planning a suffrage centennial celebration? Be part of a national network. What about planning for a memorial?

Are you planning a suffrage centennial? This summer, the National Women’s History Project will begin expanding its website to make it a digital hub for information about women’s history.  The goal is to leverage work around the nation and expand the impact of women’s history on an individual, local, state, and national level. If you’d like to be included in this digital hub, email your contact information along with a firty-word description of your work to nwhp@nwhp.org.  The goal is to have the information online by the end of the summer of 2014. Network members will organize planning meetings throughout the country to develop plans for promoting women’s history.  Contact the National Women’s History Project, 730 Second Street #469, Santa Rosa, CA 95402   http://www.nwhp.org  (707) 636-2888.

Although statues and memorials can be expensive for suffrage centennials, it’s always possible to build a movement around the fundraising and all the associated stages up to and including the unveiling. Plenty of examples are out there. One excellent example is the statue of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass having tea, just down the street from the Susan B. Anthony House in Rochester, NY. A nearby plaque suggests the dynamic process that transformed this small park into a tourist destination.

See article about the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in New York State History Blog by Marguerite Kearns

Photo: The statue, “Lets Have Tea,” featuring Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony having tea, is in a small park down the street from the Susan B. Anthony House, 17 Madison Street, Rochester, NY.

 

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March 31, 2014 · 9:13 pm

For the suffrage centennial, a variety of Montana activists share the spotlight

The Montana suffrage centennial activists are taking every opportunity to blow their bugles to announce some of the fabulous Montana women who put their lives on the line for equality and freedom. You can subscribe to the postings and be introduced to some of these individuals. Ella Knowles, known as the “Portia of the People,” is featured, and what she faced as an attorney is an eyeopener. When she started out as an attorney, she couldn’t take the bar exam because Montana law prevented women from doing so. She pressed the point and won. About fifty women were licensed to practice law by 1890 across the nation. The Montana suffrage web site has Ella’s life and accomplishments summarized, in addition to considerably more information. Follow Montana. It’s determined to get out the word in its suffrage centennial subscription series, “Women’s History Matters.” The Montana Historical Society is a driving force in the 2014 suffrage centennial and the impact is being noticed. During Women’s History Month, for example, these stories of Montana women are been diverse and fascinating.

A few examples during March that views the state’s women’s in the context of an ongoing social revolution: “Nannie Alderson: Pioneer Ranchwoman”(March 4); “Feminism Personified: Judy Smith and the Women’s Movement” (March 6); “Julia Ereaux Schultz, Health Advocate and Cultural Champion” (March 11); “Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the Church Universal and Triumphant, and the Creation of Utopia in Montana’s Paradise Valley” (March 13); “Behind Every Man: Nancy Cooper Russell” (March 18); “Legalized Midwifery: Montana Leads the Way” (March 20); “Men Were My Friends, but Women Were My Cause”: The Career and Feminism of Frances Edge” (March 25); “A ‘Compassionate Heart’ and ‘Keen Mind’: The Life of Doctor Caroline McGill” (March 27).

Follow SuffrageCentennials.com for news, views and updates.

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March 21, 2014 · 1:55 pm

A handy kit to celebrate Women’s History Month from the National Women’s History Project

Perplexed about how to celebrate Women’s History Month in March? The National Women’s History Project has items galore to decorate, educate, and lay the bases for having fun. It’s not necessary for it to be your suffrage centennial year. When Women’s History Month or week or day or whatever comes around, take advantage of it for a party or tea reception or fundraiser. The National Women’s History Project has kits; items can be purchased separately, such as the 2014 Gazette ($10 for 25 copies), plus balloons and pencils and books and games, and so on.

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March 14, 2014 · 3:56 pm

2014 is centennial of suffragist Caroline Severance’s death: Women’s History Month special!

Caroline Severance’s name isn’t among the list of those remembered as suffrage pioneers, but this photo shows Caroline second to the right with Susan B. Anthony in Los Angeles in 1905, along with Charlotte Wills and Rebecca Spring. The image suggests that Severance traveled in high-powered circles. Caroline grew up in the heart of what’s considered today as the “Cradle” of the women’s rights movement in the U.S. or the Finger Lakes region. Caroline Severance’s life and work are summarized in detail and featured in the “History of American Women” blog where we’re reminded that after moving to California her activist work there earned Caroline the distinction of being a key player in the movement for equality. Attention to suffrage history is increasing as the 2020 national suffrage centennial approaches. Here’s the link to the article about Caroline’s life. Read it and reflect on Caroline and scores of others like her who devoted their lives to freedom. PDF.

Attention to suffrage centennials doesn’t exist in isolation. Be on the cutting edge of those who are rocking the ‘Cradle” of the U.S. women’s rights movement. Visit LetsRockTheCradle.com

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March 9, 2014 · 3:52 pm

1912-1914: Action in a new suffragette novel from the UK

There’s considerable spinoff from suffrage centennials, including a rash of new creative energy related to the suffrage movement subject matter. One example is books, whether self published or from mainstream publishing houses. The years 1912 to 1914 are addressed in a self-published novel from the UK, Suffragette Autumn Women’s Spring by Ian Porter. This story begins aboard the Titanic as it’s sinking, an important scene which protagonist Ruby later realizes is the genesis of her evolving into a suffrage activist. Ruby and Nashey are left traumatised and horrified – not just by the disaster of the Titanic’s journey itself, but by the failures of the ship’s officers. Readers then travel with the main characters to New York, and on to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The novel finally unfolds in suffragette London, 1912-1914. The militant struggle for Votes for Women becomes a stage for action. Ruby becomes involved in Mrs Pankhurst’s WSPU where she’s imprisoned and involved in a hunger strike. Through the five p’s – publicity stunts, protests, political speeches, prison torture and police tactics – the novel highlights the lengths to which the women and the government pressed the issue. The main character questions the direction of the movement and out of this suffragette autumn emerges a women’s spring.

Follow suffragecentennials.com for how suffrage history is being celebrated.

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March 1, 2014 · 5:11 am

Suffrage centennial celebrations depend on Women’s History Month observances

If you’re interested in suffrage centennials, whether for sport, pleasure, for educational purposes, a suffrage centennial gets its juice and its momentum from special observances of women’s history. The date may be different in countries around the world, but the ritual and significance is enhanced by becoming aware of Women’s History Month or other observances such as International Women’s Day. The deeper and rich significance of these celebrations is particularly meaningful when there’s a message of struggle and freedom won by women. It’s all too common for centennial celebrations to be no more than a flash in the pan in a world overrun with images and messages. Don’t lose heart. There are increasingly more events and celebrations. The internet has many resources, including an excellent resource from the Library of Congress with a teacher’s guide, primary documents, and images. This link has valuable course outlines actually used in college and university programs. Dust off your teapot and invite people over for a special tea party with home-baked goodies. Don’t let Women’s History Month (March) or International Women’s Day (March 8) pass without some special recognition!

 

 

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February 16, 2014 · 3:53 am

A Trilogy about the Amazons of the suffrage movement

This year, 2014, is the centennial of a part of English suffrage history about which little is known: how the militant wing of the suffrage movement organized a secret society of “Amazons,” known as the Bodyguard. It was group of about 25 athletic, dedicated women trained in the martial arts who provided security escorts for suffragette leaders released under the Cat and Mouse Act. Largely self-taught in the crafts of espionage and subterfuge, they made effective use of decoy and deception tactics and occasionally resorted to street brawling with the police. The Mrs. Pankhurst’s Amazons trilogy is inspired by their adventures. To complete article.

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February 1, 2014 · 2:35 pm

Suffrage centennials are hot!

The word is just getting around about how hot suffrage centennials can be. A great example is the aftermath of the 2013 suffrage centennial honoring English suffragette and martyr Emily Davison. The 2013 centennial of her dramatic death received considerable attention. And the observance isn’t over yet, now that’s there’s a wider audience. Suffrage centennials honor the past, and they are opportunities to weave in the present day and a vision for the future. On February 13, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the Jubilee Room, Houses of Parliament in London, the play “To Freedom’s Cause” will be performed, along with a debate about the influence of Davison’s legacy on feminism today.

Supporters will be invited to sign a petition to erect a statue in Parliament and the debate will be opened on Twitter, using the hashtag #Emilymatters.

“To Freedom’s Cause,” was premiered in 2013 at the time of the Davison centennial. For more information, check with play creator Kate Willoughby who calls herself “a temporary suffragette,” and someone who has fallen in love with Emily Davison’s story. The play lays out the powerful tale of the people who came into contact with Emily, those who changed her life and whose lives she changed. Music and song are important elements. The suffragettes were known for their singing. It helped to keep their spirits up during the long spells of imprisonment.

Notes Kate Willoughby: “Emily’s final, iconic act involved the King’s jockey, Herbert Jones. A celebrated sportsman at the peak of his career, Herbert’s life would decades afterwards end in tragedy. However, Herbert’s later life has often been misrepresented and so in “To Freedom’s Cuase’ I seek to redress this.

“Over the years there has been a great deal of speculation about Emily’s motivation for stopping Anmer, the King’s horse: Was it suicide?  Was it naïve?  Or was it just an accident?  ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ offers some insight into the exact truth of the situation.

“Working on ‘To Freedom’s Cause’ has been a labour of love and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me develop this fresh retelling of Emily Wilding Davison’s story. A fun-loving, vivacious woman, whose courage, in the face of adversity, can inspire us all.”

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