LWVCV SUPPORTed CVCC’S INTERDiscIPLINARY READ With Suffrage Panels
March, 2022—Panels providing the history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in the US were on display in the CVCC Library for the month. They were a part of this year’s Catawba Valley Community College’s Interdisciplinary Read program. The book for this year’s program was The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. The suffrage movement plays a part in the book.
The panels were developed by the Women’s Suffrage Community Centennial Community-a group of 5 community organizations created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which granted women the right to vote. The design of the panels was done by a team of graphic arts students at CVCC. The production of the panels was funded by a grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County.
Pictured on the left above is the college's Staci Wilson, Executive Director, Office of Learning and Support, and Anita McRary, Outreach and Instruction Librarian on the right.
The Women’s Suffrage Community Centennial Community was made up of representatives from the Catawba County Library System, Hickory Library System, Hickory Museum of Art, Historical Association of Catawba County and League of Women Voters of Catawba Valley.
Close ups of the panels (a solid overview of the Suffragist Movement) are available on this page of the Catawba County Library website.
LWVCV Art on Permanent Loan to the Catawba County Board of Elections.
The League of Women Voters of Catawba Valley is loaning a work of stained glass to the Catawba County Board of Elections for use in their office in the Government Complex in Newton.
Sisters of Tenacity, by Beth S. Shuford, was given to the League by the artist after it was created and exhibited in the Hickory Museum of Art's SUFFRAGE exhibit in 2020.
This is a long-term loan that will remain in place until the Catawba County Board of Elections decides they no longer have a use for this piece of art. At that time, the piece will be returned to the League.
League Celebration and Member Appreciation
On the evenings of November 30 and December 1, 2022 almost two thirds of the League’s members gathered at the Hickory Museum of Art (HMA) for a private event at the SUFFRAGE Show. While socially distanced, they had a chance to get even more familiar with the events that prompted this year’s Centennial Celebration. They enjoyed an introduction to the show and its artists from HMA staff and then had time to wander wherever the art drew them to see it more closely.
A centerpiece of the show was the eight panels that offer a concise history of the struggle for women to gain the right to vote. They include many topics, profiles of the people involved and photos.
Here are photos from the evening. Members were encouraged to choose their favorite piece of art. Their photo was taken with it and are shown below in the “Art to Heart” section.
As the evening ended, members were given gift bags as they left.
The show was open until January 24, 2021.
Art to Heart. Add your favorite here!
Send your photos to info.lwvcv@gmail.com
Open to all SUFFRAGE visitors
Karen Parker, Burning Series: Watchfires
oil and collage on canvas
Check out show details Here AS DEscribed by HMA.
photo preview of the work follows.
In conjunction with the History Museum of Catawba County, the Catawba County Library System, and the League of Women Voters, Hickory Museum of Art presented an exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. This was a “must see” event for League members, all women . . . and all men! It featured art by local women, include LWVCV member Joanie Gardner.
SUFFRAGE highlighted significant historical happenings that led to the passing of women’s right to vote. Responding to a call for proposals, regional artists were selected to create artwork for the exhibition highlighting themes associated with the women’s suffrage movement. Exhibition panels were created by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Community Committee and designed by Catawba Valley Community College graphic design students.
Artists included Ana G. Castaneda, Marion Cloaninger, Peter Falotico, Tracy C. Gansrow, Jenna Hazlett, Joan E. Gardner, Barbara Mellin, Karen Parker, Sarah Price, Beth Sain Shuford, Karla Starnes, and Megan West.
The exhibition also featured an installation by fiber artist Susan Lenz called The Feminist To Do List. The project was a collection of forty-two altered, vintage quilt blocks presented in 10” diameter wooden embroidery hoops with call-to-action phrases (such as Run for Office, Speak Up, Protest Peacefully, Challenge the Status Quo, etc.) stitched on each one. The work was inspired by the early Suffragists and the centennial celebration of the 19th amendment. The use of decades-old Sun Bonnet Sue quilt blocks recalls the years of struggle before women were granted the right to vote and serves as a reminder that gender equality is still an ongoing issue.
Next to this major exhibition in the Objects Gallery was COLLECT HMA: COULD SHE VOTE? All the pieces were created by women. Even though women gained the right to vote 100 years ago with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, not everyone enjoyed this privilege due to discrimination based on race and income. The artists’ biographical information will be presented alongside women’s suffrage and Civil Rights timelines.
The SUFFRAGE project is supported by a grant from the
United Arts Council of Catawba County and the following:
Susan B Anthony Sponsor | Linda Greenwell
Sister Suffragist Sponsor | Dr. George Clay, III D.D.S.
Feminist Sponsor | Patrick, Harper, Dixon, LLP
Wednesday-Saturday: 10 AM-4 PM
Sunday: 1-4 PM
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Holidays
243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Admission is free. Donations gladly accepted.
Photo Preview
Allow some of the works introduce themselves to you.
Suffragists’ Cause Lights up I-40 in Hickory
Ratification, signing of 19th Amendment Celebrated in their colors
August 2020, was a big month for the Centennial Celebration. With the help of the Community Centennial Celebration Planning Group, especially, the Catawba County Library System and the Fairfield Inn, drivers and passengers on I-40 could see the purple and yellow Suffragist colors displayed in the hotel windows for several weeks during the month.
Just down the highway, the Hickory Metro Center saluted the Centennial with its purple sign displayed 24/7 during that same period.
Guests next door at the Hampton Inn Hilton Hickory could check out panels describing the events of 100 years ago displayed in its lobby. The panels were given through the National Archives of the United States and will be displayed at other locations around the area
The last photo below is a whimsical extension of the lights at The Fairfield Inn. It also is a reminder to everyone that the need to protect the right to vote continues.
Burke County Commissioners Offer Proclamation
August 18 Presentation at Burke County Courthouse
The Burke County Board of Commissioners recognized the League of Women Voters of Catawba Valley with a proclamation commemorating both the 100th year Anniversary of the League’s beginning and the Ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The Board meeting was held to the day, 100 years after Tennessee, the last state who could, did officially ratify the Amendment.
In the photo below on the left, LWV of Catawba Valley President, Deb McGivern giving Board Chairperson, Johnnie Carswell a yellow rose, the symbol for the Suffragists who fought for the Amendment. Pictured on the right are Deb and League member, Dot Williams, holding the proclamation.
Fight for the Ballot: Women’ s Suffrage
History Museum of Catawba County, March 7-December 1, 2020
This local exhibit at the 1924 Courthouse in Newton opened March 7 and features interesting details about voting and that period of time in Catawba County. There is an actual completed voter registration and a display of women’s attire, including a white dress favored by Suffragists. Different placards add researched details to the time as shown below. Seen at the event were Marla G. Thompson, Mayor of Town of Long View (l), the only current female mayor of a Catawba County municipality, LWVCV Centennial Chair, Linda Greenwell (r) and a visitor enjoying some “facetime.” The exhibit is free and open to the public during Museum hours until December.
SHE CHANGED THE WORLD
Morganton Public Library, February 29, 2020
Burke County Library in Morganton was chosen to be one of the hosts for the 100 Year Celebration of the 19th Amendment for Women Suffrage exhibit from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as part of the Governor's Hometown Strong Initiative for Burke County. On rare display was the actual amendment that was sent from the United States Senate to the NC General Assembly. North Carolina was one two remaining states who could approve the amendment within the deadline and have been the 36th required state to do so. One of the people recognized in the display for her work was activist Charlotte Hawkins Brown. Among the memorabilia was an original sash from that period. Alas, the vote by the General Assembly was to table the amendment until the following year--which would be beyond the time limit. All eyes then turned to the state of Tennessee to act. North Carolina did vote to ratify the amendment-- in 1975.
Suffragist Tea
Lyerly House, February 15, 2020
This event was the kick-off celebration for this year’s 100th anniversary of both the founding of the LWV and the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that began giving women the right to vote. The tea was coordinated by the community planning groups (see poster). Participants were encouraged to bring their own teacups, there was live music and an opportunity to make Suffragist sashes and buttons to promote voting. Birthday cake was served!
Resolution, Catawba County Commissioners
February 3, 2020
The Catawba County Board of Commissioners at their February 3 meeting recognized the League of Women Voters of Catawba Valley with a resolution commemorating both the 100th year anniversary of the League’s beginning and the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. Shown here (l-r) are JoAnn Spees, Wanda Pitchford, League President, Commissioner Barbara Beatty, Cindy Lundy and Linda Greenwell.
