Advocates for Equal Rights and Wilmington neighbors gathered Tuesday, September 28 to honor the work of early suffrage leaders with historic markers sponsored by the Pomeroy Foundation and newly installed at four sites in WIlmington, Delaware:
- Former site of the Garrett Settlement House, meeting place of the African-American Suffrage Club; integrated suffrage events held 1914-1920. Located at present-day St. Michael’s Day Nursery at 700 N. Walnut Street, one of the oldest childhood education programs in Delaware and now teaching children from birth to age eight;
- Home of Alice Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935), poet, teacher, author, civil rights leader, elected President of the Equal suffrage Study Club in 1914: 1310 North French Street.;
- Home of Blanche Williams Stubbs (1872-1962), Equal Suffrage Study Club leader and advocate for African-American voting and civil rights: 827 North Tatnall Street; and
- Suffrage Rally, May 2, 1914, the first Delaware rally for women’s right to vote: parade route from the train station to 10th and Market Streets.
Guest speakers included Judge Susan DelPesco, Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, Historian Anne Boylan, Ph.D., Lucy Beard of the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites, Marsha White of the Pomeroy Foundation, Wilmington Mayor Michael S. Purzycki, Senator Elizabeth Lockman (SD 1), Senator Kyle Evans Gay (SD 5), Representative Stephanie Bolden (RD 2), and Delaware House Majority Leader. Representative Valerie Longhurst (RD 15).
Dr. Boylan acknowledged the League of Women Voters of Delaware, represented by Secretary Marj Johnson and First Vice President, Kathleen Baker.
State Senator Tizzy Lockman speaks at the Sept. 28, 2021 Wilmington marker dedication
