Suffrage Sash Making Replay
As part of the state-wide centennial celebration of the ratification of the 19 th amendment, Thompson Suffrage100 Six Months of Suffrage program was kicked off on May 20, 2020 with the first of seven events; Votes for Women Sash-making and a fashion presentation by Marissa Dufault, Events Coordinator, at Historic New England. This event hosted by Thompson Recreation and Thompson Public Library, held via ZOOM, proved to be a remarkable opening for the series of events planned for the next six months.
Women and girls from Thompson and other surrounding towns joined committee members as well as Susan Bysiewicz, Lieutenant Governor, Denise Merrill, Secretary of the State, and Mae Flexer, State Senator for this fantastic presentation and Suffrage Movement history lesson about the importance of fashion to the cause.
Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz stated “I was so delighted when I heard you were continuing to celebrate despite the challenges of COVID-19.” The lieutenant Governor went on to talk about Connecticut being at the forefront of women’s rights whether we are talking about Suffrage or whether we are talking about trailblazers in general. She also shared that she was thrilled to learn that the women of Eastern CT were leaders in the Suffrage Movement though she never doubted it because the women have amazing strength, courage and perseverance. Bysiewicz did go on to say that “We have so much more to do” in relation to equal pay, other women’s issues, and encouraging more women to run for political office.
Senator Mae Flexer congratulated the group for all the months of planning it took to formulate Six months of Suffrage programs especially this year. She went on to say “this makes Thompson a real bright spot in our State-wide celebration of this anniversary. It makes me really proud to say “I’m their State Senator. Look at all the great things they are doing”. Flexer also drew a correlation between the Suffrage Movement of 1917-1918 which was stalled due to the Spanish Flu of 1918. As we find ourselves in the midst of another pandemic we need to look back and draw strength from the leaders of that time who were able to persevere and push congress toward ratification of the 19 th Amendment. She agrees with Susan Bysiewicz however; that there is so much more work to be done.
“The Thompson Suffrage100 committee is a group of hard-working, smart, funny, talented, wise, and strong-minded women who thoroughly enjoyed the work it took to prepare all of these wonderful events. We were undaunted by COVID therefore we reassessed, and are making accommodations in order to still bring them to the residents of Thompson and area communities. I am thrilled with the participation in our first event” said Renee Waldron, Suffrage100 committee chair.
Save the Date! On Sunday, June 14, at 4 p.m., Donald Williams, author of Prudence Crandall’s Legacy, will facilitate a discussion about the activist and her role in fighting against slavery and discrimination. This presentation will be via ZOOM as well. Register at thompsonrec.org or call 860-923-9440 or 860-923-9900. We can also walk you through the ZOOM process if you need assistance.