National Women’s Equality Day

Mark the Day!

Of course, as you all know, August 26 is National Women’s Equality Day. This important and highly celebrated national holiday commemorates the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. This long over due amendment finally granted women the right to vote. Whether it’s gift exchanges, turkey dinners, or tests of strength, I know everyone celebrates this holiday in their own special way. Personally, on these special occasions, I like to reflect on my past activities where I have carried on the fight for women’s equality…

The first photo above was taken at the Suffrage Centennial meetings that we held in Charleston, WV, in 2020. Also, on one cold January day, I attended the Million Woman March in Washington D.C. My chant of choice was “my uterus – my choice” as our group walked around the Trump White House. Anyway, the point being, recognize this day in your own way, but be sure to recognize it. Please have a safe and happy National Women’s Equality Day.

Women’s Rights National Historic Park

But, my past efforts are old news. So, for this year’s celebration, I decided to visit the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, New York. The park mainly consists of the women’s rights museum and the building where it all started. Women’s suffrage was granted with the 19th Amendment in 1920. However, the battle started long before that year. In fact, the year was 1848. In that year, in the Wesleyan Chapel, in Seneca Falls, NY, the early women’s rights advocates held the first Women’s Rights Convention. The National Park Service restored, as well as maintains, the Wesleyan Chapel. The park rangers even offer guided educational tours throughout the day.

As I have said before, I am always transparent when it suits my purposes. I should remind readers that Seneca Falls is part of the Finger Lakes. So, do not feel too sorry for me because Carol forced me to go to this museum. It was a reasonable price to pay in order to make stops at the nearby Finger Lake wineries.

Educational Portion of the Program

Relax. I will not painfully regurgitate all the information presented in the museum. I will limit the retelling to my three favorite factoids that I was mostly ignorant about…

First, on the 1848 convention attendees, Susan B. Antony was not even there. Susan B. was the only woman of this era that I have heard of…and she was not even in play yet. The big players were Lucretia Mott, out of Philadelphia, and the local Seneca Falls celebrity, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Also, on a note of unfortunate irony, all of these women that dedicated there lives to women’s rights/suffrage…never saw the fruition of their life efforts. The 19th Amendment ratification was well after the death of all of them.

Second, I must mention the Declaration of Sentiments, which…until that moment…I had never heard of. Using the Declaration of Independence as a template, the convention goers crafted a list of goals/grievances that served as the foundation for the women’s movement in the many decades to come. About 100 women and men at the convention demonstrated their commitment to the cause by signing this document.

Third, there was a very close connection between the anti-slavery and the women’s rights movements. Many of the noteworthy names supported both causes. Actually, many of them also pushed the Temperance movement. But, they got that one wrong…but, two of three ain’t bad.

What about Susan B.

As I said, Susan B. Antony was not at the convention, but I didn’t want to leave her out. After all, she is the only one that has money minted in her likeness. While not at the 1848 convention, she still became the driving force in the women’s movement in the decades to come. Sadly, her efforts were not based in Seneca Falls. You have to travel to Rochester, NY, to complete this story. Scattered throughout Rochester, you will find all sorts historical markers honoring the legacy of Susan B. Antony’s and her life long dedication to the women’s rights movement.

Susan B’s home served as the headquarters for the National Woman Suffrage Assoc. and the Rochester Political Equity Club. While the guided tour did provide good historic information on SBA and the movement, it’s not on the high end of exciting. You walk through a nicely preserved old home. It’s OK, but not remarkable. The focal point of the tour is her war room. The suffrage headquarters was actually the attic of her house. I sure hope she did not make people work there in the heat of the summer. Beyond that, I found a couple other tour highlights that interested me…

As the tour guide told us repeatedly, Susan B. was extremely smart, dedicated and hardworking individual. She was extremely practical as well. Typically, SBA always wore her trademark black dress and carried the same indestructible alligator hand bag. That iconic bag is on display and it looks just as it did 150 years ago. Secondly, I got to see (not use) Susan B’s toilet. I have nothing further to say. But, when I visited Abraham Lincoln’s home, I made a thing about his toilet. So, I thought Susan’s was worth mentioning as well. Beyond her home, there were several other SBA attractions worth noting around Rochester…

Women got the right to vote in 1920. Sadly, Susan B. was 14 years dead by then. However, Susan B. cast her first vote for Presidency in the 1872 election. The ballot box sculpture above is located on the spot where Susan B. cast her vote. Soon thereafter, the Marshall arrested her for voting. Susan B. claimed the right to vote under the 14th Amendment. She was eventually tried, convicted, and sentenced to pay $100 for her crime. On a lighter note, I was also able to join Susan B. for tea in the park. We were accompanied by that same man pictured in the 1948 convention sculpture.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

As I have been known to do, I like to wrap up these features with the ultimate of finishes. That involved a trip to the beautiful Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester…

Susan B. Anthony’s grave was very well maintained with frequent visitors. She lies next to her sister, Mary, who was also living in the Rochester home. Additionally, I was able to identify our reoccurring mystery man. He was none other than fellow Rochester native, Frederick Douglas. Frederick and Susan B. were long time friends. They shared a lifetime of dedication to achieving freedom and equality.

Wrap it up

I realize that this post more meaningful and educational than most post. My apologies, but…deal with it. It’s National Women’s Equality Day. If you completely read this post, you can now enjoy the rest of you day…guilt free. You have properly recognized the holiday. Have a Happy National Women’s Equality Day. PT

I hope you have enjoyed “National Women’s Equality Day” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

If you liked that road trip, here’s another totally unrelated road trip… https://travelingwithpt.com/time-to-revisit-route-66/

If you need to plan your own Women’s Rights road trip https://www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm