by Marguerite Kearns

The news is that the Equal Rights Amendment is inching closer to reality. There is coming a new reality that will rely on women who are more educated than ever before and in a position to address the serious problems facing Planet Earth.

The “Spirit of 1776” suffrage wagon may be returning to Long Island (NY) from October through December 2020. Whether this will happen or not is still under consideration due to the closures and budget considerations resulting from the pandemic.

PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR WAGON IN 2020

Because of the uncertainties related to the coronavirus, a great deal of the previously planned programming for the 2020 suffrage centennial is being cancelled or rescheduled. Some organizations are rescheduling their 2020 events to 2021. Others are cancelling them due to restrictions on public gatherings and other factors.

That’s why this possibility will be followed up on Suffrage Wagon News Channel when more information is available.

WHAT HAPPENED 100 YEARS AGO TO THE “SPIRIT OF 1776” WAGON…

In 1920, the Kearns family left Rockville Centre, New York (Long Island) and moved back to Pennsylvania. They took the “Spirit of 1776” campaign wagon with them.

The wagon returned to New York State in 1986 when it was exhibited in Kingston, New York. It stayed in New York until its donation to the Women’s Leadership Center and then the New York State Museum.

Since its return, the suffrage campaign wagon has taken on a life of its own. It has been exhibited at the New York State Museum, as well as the New York State Capitol. And there’s a vintage street marker in Huntington, NY about a commotion the wagon caused in 1913 between those supporting women voting and those opposing it. See image above.

VIRTUAL FUNDRAISERS FOR CLEARWATER!

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater held a virtual fundraiser last Sunday that will enable the organization in the Hudson Valley to call some of its laid-off employees back to work. Pete and Toshi Seeger (and others) founded the Hudson Valley organization. Now, the future of Clearwater is still in question due to financial considerations associated with the pandemic.

Pete and Toshi Seeger supported the “Spirit of 1776” suffrage campaign wagon used by Edna Kearns in 1913 and now on exhibit at the New York State Museum, although the state museum is temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Visit Clearwater.org for details.

The Suffrage Wagon Cafe is something to dance about! on Vimeo.

Suffrage Wagon News Channel has been publishing since 2009. It’s a labor of love supporting the “Spirit of 1776” campaign wagon used by Edna Kearns and others in 1913. The wagon is a symbol of women’s voting rights.

Suffrage Wagon Cafe is a special feature of the news channel.