HARTFORD - Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today launched a Centennial Commission to work towards celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in 2020. The Commission consists of a diverse array of interested groups, and will meet over the next two years to plan the celebration around this important milestone in the history of American democracy.

“Women’s suffrage was one of the first milestones on the path to full universal suffrage, a path we continue to walk today,” said Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. “I’m excited for this commission to meet to explore how we can best commemorate this historic milestone, and how the women of Connecticut led the way.”

Participating groups include the Connecticut League of Women Voters, the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, the Hispanic Federation, the Connecticut's Women's Hall of Fame, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, the Women's Campaign School at Yale, the Connecticut chapter of NOW, the NAACP, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Connecticut State Library, the Connecticut Humanities Council, the American Association of University Women of Connecticut, the Women in Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, the YWCAs of Hartford, New Britain, Greenwich, and Darien/Norwalk, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and theNational Collaboration of Women's History Sites.

“Marking this Centennial of women’s right to vote is not just a historical remembrance of the past for the League of Women Voters but a clarion call for all citizens to defend democracy and participate fully in their government,” said Carol Reimers, President of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut. “As our foremothers did, we envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.”

“I am honored to team with Secretary Merrill to commemorate the 100-year ratification of the 19th Amendment for a woman’s right to vote,” said Adrienne W. Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer of the Hartford YWCA. “It is a privilege to represent YWCA Hartford Region on this Commission and helping to put a spotlight on the history and importance of women’s rights.”

The first informal meeting of the Commission followed the launch announcement. The first formal meeting will take place in November, and the Commission will meet periodically going forward.