The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemoration Committee (WSCCC) will celebrate “Votes for Women” during a kickoff event and press conference from 11 am to 2 pm on July 28 at the Old State House Museum.
During the event, the committee, created in 2017 by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, will unveil its logo and celebrate the launch of its website. The site will act as a warehouse for information regarding the path to women’s suffrage in Arkansas and will list information about upcoming events celebrating the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution.
“This kickoff event marks a special day in Arkansas history. On July 28, 1919, Arkansas ratified the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, making it the 12th stated to do so,” Stacy Hurst, director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, said. “We are pleased to honor the efforts of the women who worked so hard to ear the right to vote and paved the way for those who would follow in their footsteps.”
A press conference will begin at 11:15 am and include remarks by featured speaker A’Lelia Bundles, immediate past chair of the National Archives Foundation; Stacy Hurst, director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage; and Kathleen Pate, president of the Arkansas Women’s History Institute and chair of the WSCCC.
“We are pleased to have A’Lelia Bundles join us for this event,” Pate said. “She will illustrate how the work done in Arkansas tied to the nationwide suffrage movement and explore the continued fight for voting equality following passage of the 19th Amendment which, while progressive, did not eliminate barriers related to race and socioeconomic status.”
Ongoing activities throughout the event include an opportunity to meet living history characters portraying Arkansas suffragists; craft activities to make buttons, pennants, sashes, and posters to promote women’s suffrage; a photo booth; an opportunity to cast a ballot for your favorite ice cream flavor; and more.
This free event is open to the public. Details from The Department of Arkansas Heritage.
