by Marguerite Kearns

My grandmother Edna wrote about herself, as well as other people in the suffrage movement. This video I made (shown below) highlights the contributions of suffrage activist Rosalie Jones, the controversial member of the Jones family of Long Island. Edna worked with Rosalie when the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage wagon was exhibited at the Long Island fair annually showing how this artifact was used as a speakers’ platform and more.

This became a controversial example of how chapters of larger suffrage organizations included Edna and her wagon in parades and for exhibitions in suffrage-related events. Some suffrage advocates were critical of grassroots organizers like Edna because she hated racism and she enlarged the meaning of suffrage accepted themes such as motherhood and healthy babies regardless of their ethnic heritage.

Here is one video I made about Rosalie Jones whose mother, father, and sister supported the anti-suffragists who claimed that women shouldn’t vote. However, Rosalie Jones became well-known for her support of women winning the right to vote.

Rosalie Jones: A high-profile Long Island Suffragist on Vimeo.

Suffrage Wagon News Channel has been publishing since 2009.