August 25, 2020
Press/News Release
Sponsors: Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Burlington Branch
For more info: Marguerite Adelman, 518-561-3939 (before 8/26/20), 802-372-1239
(on 8/26/20) or madel51353@gmail.com
Speakers: A number of women (see below*) will be speaking and available to speak to the press on Women’s Suffrage, Voter Suppression, Restoration of the Voting Rights Act, and Women’s Equality.
A Call to Honor Suffragists on Women’s Equality Day
Wednesday, August 26, 2020, between 11 and noon, the Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance (VSCA) and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF Burlington) will be commemorating the historic passage of the 19th Amendment in front of Burlington’s City Hall (149 Church Street, Burlington). All attendees will be asked to observe protocols of social distancing and face coverings.
August 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the landmark 19th Amendment which prohibits the federal government and any state from denying citizens their right to vote on account of sex. In the final push for suffrage, women picketed in front of the White House six days a week, holding banners and using silence as protest. These Silent Sentinels, numbering approximately 2,000 over two and a half years, faced arrest, derision, torture, and jail.
Silent no longer, Vermont women and men will be urging passers-by to reflect on the importance of the vote for all citizens in our democracy. We will be carrying non-partisan signs, wearing 1920s apparel or Votes for Women sashes, engaging in dialog about the importance of voting, and passing out voter information. We encourage attendees to wear the suffrage colors: white, purple, and/or gold.
Some of our guest speakers include: Lisa Senecal, Chair of the Vermont Commission on Women; Right Reverend Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont; Jean Hopkins, League of Women Voters of Champlain Valley; Robin Lloyd, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Kesha Ram, candidate for the Vermont Senate; Molly Gray, candidate for Vermont Lt. Governor; Sarah Carpenter, Burlington City Council; Ericka Redic, candidate for Vermont Senate; Madeline Kunin, former Vermont Governor, Zoraya Hightower, Burlington City Council; Kristine Lott, Mayor of Winooski; Carolyn Branagan, candidate for Vermont Treasurer; and more. Channel 17 will be recording the entire hour program.
Everyone who wishes to recognize and celebrate Women’s Equality Day is invited to attend.
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