by Marguerite Kearns
The League of Women Voters took over the Rotunda at the New Mexico state capitol last week with a commemoration of 100 years of lobbying and making a difference.
THE SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL IS VISIBLE
What a sight! The LWV women wore white dresses, “Votes for Women” sashes, hats, and stood behind tables to answer questions. The League of Women Voters has been participating in efforts to install road markers across the nation. In New Mexico, plans are underway during 2020 to be visible, not only during 2020, but with markers planned for Santa Fe and Las Cruces. The LWV work continues. And the occasion is being noticed.
Virginia Kase, chief executive officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States, was a keynote speaker for the February 6, 2020 celebration. Displays on tables hosted by League chapters and other organizations featured women’s rights and the importance of greater voter participation. Legislative memorials on the suffrage centennial and the League’s accomplishments were read in both Senate and House chambers.
Sponsors included League members Senator Nancy Rodriguez, Senator Liz Stefanics, Representative Joanne Ferrary, and Representative Gail Chasey. Governor Lujan Grisham delivered proclamations. A cake decorated like a suffrage flag was served. New Mexico ratified the 19th Amendment, the women’s right to vote, in February 1920.
EDNA KEARNS, WILMER KEARNS, AND LITTLE SERENA WERE THERE!
I was there, carrying my image of my grandparents and others marching over 100 years ago. Where were they? In New York City on their way to Albany, NY to ask the governor to appoint poll watchers for the 1915 suffrage referendum. That didn’t win, but victory was assured and hard won in 1917, a victory organized and carried out by Carrie Chapman Catt and a highly-oiled top to bottom campaign involving tens of thousands.
Back in 2009 when I started blogging about 2020, the thought of celebrating during 2020 was a vision not shared by many. NOW, there’s so much activity I can’t keep up with it.
Check out the updates to the web site, InezMilhollandCentennial.com for news about Inez Milholland, our US suffrage martyr.
And follow SuffrageWagon News Channel during 2020!
