This month marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Ratified by Congress on August 26, 1920, and known as the “Women’s Suffrage Amendment,” it read: “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.” Of course, the history of this achievement is complicated, and we invite you to join the East Side Freedom Library as we explore some of these complications and connect them with our present.
Indeed, we want to begin by encouraging you to watch and listen to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s ten minute speech to Congress, delivered on July 23, 2020. That this was delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives suggests both how far we have come — and how far we have yet to go.
We invite you to join us this month for two in-depth explorations into the stories of women who have often been left out when our society pays homage to women’s progress: African American women and immigrant women.
On Wednesday evening, August 12, join historian Martha Jones for a conversation about her new book Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Gained the Right to Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All. Two years ago, Professor Jones (Johns Hopkins University) came to ESFL for a discussion of her book, Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America, in which she demonstrated how mechanisms of exclusion had impacted African Americans and immigrants alike. Vanguard traces the organizing capacities of Black women from the abolitionist movement of the 1820s through struggles to make Black Lives Matter in the 2010s-2020s. She weaves inspiring stories into a compelling narrative, and we look forward to talking with her about how she sees the relationships between the past, the present, and the future. This conversation will premiere on ESFL’s Facebook page and YouTube channel with an opportunity for audience members to ask Dr. Jones questions.
On Friday evening, August 14, join us for an exploration of the experiences of immigrant women at the very time of the struggle for suffrage. We will feature the screening of a half hour documentary, Heaven Will Help the Working Girl: Immigrant Women in the Turn of the Century City, produced by our friends at the American Social History Project. We will be joined by Nan Enstad, Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and author of Ladies of Labor, Girls of Adventure: Working Women, Popular Culture, and Politics in Turn of the Century America. This program will premiere on ESFL’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Viewers will be invited to post comments and questions.
So join us in August for the celebration of Women’s Suffrage, but also for explorations into stories which are too often overlooked. There are other great programs coming up this month, too. Tell us your stories, through our website blogs and our Facebook page, and email us about what programs you would like us to host.
Love and Solidarity,
Peter Rachleff