In 1920, after a struggle that lasted more than 75 years, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution declared that the right to vote “shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” It is this amendment that we are celebrating. Historically, however, we recognize that African American, Hispanic, Chinese, and Native American women did not have their voting rights fully guaranteed until 1965. (Chris Carson, LWVUS president & Virginia Kase, LWVUS CEO have issued this statement Facing Hard Truths About the League’s Beginning.)
The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Community Committee planned a series of events during 2020 to commemorate women getting the right to vote. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic many of the events had to be cancelled. However, a set of panels that trace the history of the suffrage movement are currently being displayed. See the description below for more detail.
In addition to the League of Women Voters of Catawba Valley (LWVCV), the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Community Committee is made up of representatives from the Catawba County Library System, Historical Association of Catawba County, Hickory Library System and Hickory Museum of Art. This project was partially funded by a grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County.
CURRENT EVENTS
History of Suffrage Now on Display: She Was Heard She Fought She Won!
In early 2020, an exhibit that traces the history of the women’s suffrage movement was developed. It included both major events/people and little known facts. Because of COVID restrictions it was unable to be displayed.
At long last the panels for She Was Heard She Fought She Won! are on display at the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch of the Catawba County Library! Created as part of the Community Centennial Celebration in conjunction with the graphics arts students at CVCC, the panels were also a part of the SUFFRAGE exhibit at Hickory Museum of Art.
The stained glass piece "Sisters of Tenacity" by Beth Sain Shuford, a local artist, who gifted the League with her art is also displayed with the panels.
Check back to follow the travel of the panels to different library branches as they are announced.
Past Events
Suffragist Tea
Saturday, February 15 at 2 pm
Join us at the historic Lyerly House (310 N Center St, Hickory) to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and of the League of Women Voters. Enjoy live music, tea and cake, and suffrage-themed craft projects.
She Changed the World
Saturday, February 29 from 10-3PM at Morganton Public Library
State Archives of North Carolina are presenting this exhibit. The display will include the original 19th Amendment sent to the North Carolina General Assembly in June of 1919 for ratification. (The vote was tabled.) There are other items including a suffragette sash from the Archives on this rare public display.
The Woman’s Hour: the Great Fight to Win the Vote - Book Discussion
Thursday May 14 at noon-virtual book discussion with author Elaine Weiss
Elaine Weiss’ narrative nonfiction account of how the 19th Amendment ultimately succeeded reads more like a fast-paced novel than like history. We’ll talk about the issues addressed in the book as well as our thoughts about the women who made it all happen.
The book is available to be checked out from your local library. If you are interested in buying a copy of the book, the author has suggested you use bookshop.org because part of the proceeds are used to support local independent book stores. Click here to order the book from bookshop.org.
African Americans and the Suffrage Movement
Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 pm
Dr. Veronica McComb, Associate Professor of History at Lenoir Rhyne University, will present an engaging talk about the historic effort to secure the vote for women in the context of the movement’s poor treatment of African American suffragists.
PRESENTATION ON THE NC SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
October 14 at 6pm via Zoom
Join Rae Poteat, Curator of political and social history at the NC Museum of History for a presentation called “You Have to Start a Thing: the Struggle for Woman Suffrage in North Carolina”. She will discuss how Tar Heel women and men fought for and against women’s suffrage before the 19th Amendment. In addition she will address the ongoing struggle for voting rights and the rise of women in NC politics.
Receive the Zoom invitation by emailing share@catawbacountync.gov
Click on the link below to see information about an exhibit at the NC Museum of History on women’s suffrage.
SUFFRAGE, AN ART EXHIBIT
Hickory Museum of Art (243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory) October 31, 2020-January 24, 2021
SUFFRAGE highlights 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.
The SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT & THE QUEST FOR VOTING RIGHTS IN THE U.S.
Monday, March 29, 2021 6:00 pm -7:00 pm
Join Catawba County Library on Zoom for a program with Dr. Richard Eller of CVCC and Mandy Reavis of the Historical Association of Catawba County to learn about the Women’s Suffrage movement in the context of the overall quest for voting rights in the United States.
Fight for the Ballot: Women’s Suffrage
This exhibit at the History Museum of Catawba County in Newton showed a close look at the women’s suffrage movement in Catawba County. Included displays on early voting, period artifacts and fashions items from local people.
Panels on display now at Sherrills Ford-Terrell Library.
Sisters of Tenacity by Beth Sain Shuford.