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19th Amendment Celebration
August 26, 2020 @ 5:00 pm
A Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment is being planned by local organizations, including the GFWC Macomb’s Woman’s Club, the League of Women Voters of McDonough County, the Macomb Feminist Network, and the Western Illinois Museum. The 19th Amendment was passed in August of 1920 and gave women in the United States the right to vote. To mark the anniversary, a program will be held in Chandler Park, in Macomb, Illinois, on Wednesday, August 26th at 5:00 pm. The public is invited to attend; face coverings and social distancing will be observed. In addition, an online program will be held at 7:00 pm.
How to watch the program online
At 7:00 pm, an online program will be held live on Facebook where the commentaries will be broadcast followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion. The live stream can be found on a special Facebook page for the event at 19th Amendment Celebration Macomb, IL.
About the Program
The gathering in Chandler Park to celebrate the anniversary will start at 5:00 pm at the Gazebo with short commentaries by local women. Each will speak briefly on the impact the 19th Amendment has had on our country and our community. Speakers include Jane Ellickson Coplan, President of the League of Women Voters of McDonough County; Brenda Allison, President of the GFWC Macomb’s Woman’s Club; Tammie Leigh Brown Edwards, Macomb City Alderwoman; Julia Albarricin, Western Illinois University Professor of Political Science; Sue Scott, Director of the Western Illinois Museum; Gayle Carper, Macomb City Alderwoman. Additional online speakers include Kim Rice and Maren McIlvaine Newsad, Macomb High School graduate and student at Denison University. In the tradition of the suffragettes, guests are encouraged to wear white and participate in a brief parade around the park following the remarks.
About the 19th Amendment
On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote –36 being the number of states needed to make it a federal law. The nearly 73-year suffrage movement was begun at the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. It was signed into law on August 26th, when United States Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed his certification that all conditions required for ratification had been met. The Amendment states, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
Need more information?
Chandler Park is located one block north of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. Free street parking is available. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, wear masks, and practice social distancing. For more information contact the Western Illinois Museum at call 309.837.2750, text 309.837.2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.
Who’s in the photograph?
That’s Grace Wilbur Trout! (b. March 18, 1864; d. October 21, 1955) She was an American suffragist who was president of the Chicago Political Equality League. She was instrumental in getting the Illinois legislature to pass the Presidential and Municipal Suffrage Bill on May 7, 1913. The law allowed women to vote for local non-constitutional offices, like school board members, and for the office of president. She helped in the national fight for the federal suffrage amendment, speaking at numerous Chautauquas, including a stop in Macomb in the summer of 1914. In 1920, Trout ended her suffrage career by working to establish the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
About the GFWC Macomb Woman’s Club
The Macomb Woman’s Club was founded on February 20, 1928, by Kathryn Schuppert, then 14th District President. GFWC Illinois is a philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of its member clubs’ service to local and international communities; community improvement; and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.
About the League of Women Voters of McDonough County
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. The League recognizes that varied perspectives are necessary for responsible and effective decision making and actively seeks to be inclusive.
About the Macomb Feminist Network
The Macomb Feminist Network (MFP) works for social justice to support feminists of any ability, age, class, race/ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. They advocate for: equal educational and employment opportunities; equity in pay and benefits, including domestic partner benefits; research on and access to quality women’s health care; elimination of political violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment; prevention of any form of degradation or discrimination; reproductive choice; and passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
About the Western Illinois Museum
The Western Illinois Museum, a non-profit organization, located in Macomb, Illinois, nurtures our history and culture. Since 1975, the museum has worked to foster and offer opportunities for life-long learning through engaging exhibits and programs. The Museum is a place where all voices can be heard and shared, and the collection represents all people in our community. To make the best decisions for our own and collective future, conversations around our past is the tool to advance civic-minded thinking, foster empathy, and empower the next generation.