Remember my post the other day about Marilla Ricker, the New Hampshire woman who in 1910 tried to become governor? (Click the image or click here to go there.) The first well known suffragist in the state? We’re raising funds to have her portrait painted and hung in the State House, to honor this pioneer of new thinking.
On a related note, in the US today is Women’s Equality Day – proclaimed each year since 1972 by the President to commemorate the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Here’s the Joint Resolution of Congress creating the day: (emphasis added)
- WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and
- WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex;
- WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and
- WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,
- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26 of each year is designated as “Women’s Equality Day,” and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.
We all know this social change is not complete, so let’s keep at it. Remember the work suffragists were doing 100 years ago and long before that. And please click and donate a few to remember Ms. Ricker.
Study up at the National Women’s History Project, too.
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