Angola Suffragettes with Mayor Hickman!
In March of
1776 Abigail Adams (1744-1818) wrote to her husband, John Adams, “Remember the
women and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.” Abigail
understood that she needed to stand up for women. Sher herself was educated in
her father’s study. His study included books on politics, religion, law,
languages, history so she was well educated. When the time came for her to use
her educated voice, she did not hesitate. While John and other men were off to
the American Revolution, she bridled her horse in the afternoons and rode off
to spend the afternoon with other women whose husbands were off to the war. She
spent time reading to the women as they worked on projects…knitting, sewing,
spinning. Abigail was one of the few who could read and so she read the news to
the women who were hungry to hear about the war. Perhaps, and historians agree
with me, she was the first Suffragette.
Shortly after
Abigail, another revolutionary figure for women was Mary Wollstencraft
(1759-1797). Do you look puzzled by the name? She was the mother of Mary
Shelley who wrote “Frankenstein.” Mary died in childbirth with Mary, but not
before leaving her work to the world. In 1792 she wrote, “A Vindication of the
Rights of Women.” Her premise was that women didn’t need to be superior to men,
but to be equal to men in voting, and in property rights, etc. She was very
vocal and left behind her writings and her passion to Mary.
On the heels of
these two powerful women, comes Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Here in Steuben
County we have a full-size statue of her which is a daily reminder of her words
and her strength. She was an abolitionist who was not afraid. She came here
even though the Indiana Constitution forbid it. In 1851 our Constitution,
Article 13 said, “No negro or mulatto shall come to our state.” It went on to
say that anyone caught here or even housing a negro or mulatta would be fined
$500. She came here and spoke anyway on our courthouse steps. Some of the men
against her said, “If you speak here, we shall burn down the courthouse.”
She was brave
and fearless and replied, “Then I shall speak among the ashes.” We are honored
to have her grace our square in this town. Next time you go by, take a pause to
actually look at her and think about her story.
Who comes after
Sojourner Truth? There are so many names in our history, but I just chose one
more and that is Alice Paul (1885-1977). She was a very educated woman with an
undergraduate degree in biology. She also completed her master’s degree and a
PhD in sociology. She also completed her law degree. She was so vital to women
and made it her life’s work. In 1913 she helped organize the first national
suffrage parade in Washington on the eve of Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration.
There were 8,000 marchers wearing purple, gold and white. There were 26 floats
and ten marching bands! When Wilson arrived at the White House, he asked,
“Where are all my greeters?” to which someone replied, “They are all at the
parade.”
In 1917 she
helped organize the first protest at the White House. She, along with so many
other women, were arrested on the charge of obstructing traffic and sent to
prison. The conditions were just awful, and Alice Paul went on a hunger strike.
She grew weak and the prison officials thought she might die in jail so they
force fed her three times a day. When she was released, along with the other
women, she was pale and weak, but still on fire.
Women finally
gained the right to vote. The Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920. It
was the 19th amendment.
Why do I tell
you all of this? Today is voting day in Indiana. It is our duty, our honor and
our right to vote. After all the women went through to give us this day (yes, I
am talking to the women!), it is our moral obligation to carry the torch.
Why else do I
share this with you? Our Carnegie Library has received the gift of the
Smithsonian display, “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.” It is only here
until May 10th so go see it!!
As for today,
go vote. Your voices and your votes count. Men, your votes count too.
Go vote!
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