The League of Women Voters chapters in Delaware are each planning exciting events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women throughout the country the right to vote. Many activities are in the works, particularly in Sussex County.
The League thanks to Deb Quinton from It's a Snap Design, Lewes DE for the centennial logo design shown in this article.
Background:
The 19th Amendment was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. After years of struggle by women’s movement advocates to gain the vote for women, the United States Congress passed the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1919. However, the amendment would not become part of the Constitution until it had been ratified by 36 states. Delaware missed its opportunity to become the 36th state to ratify the amendment. That honor went to Tennessee and on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment, was formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution.
- To learn more about Delaware and the 19th Amendment, check out this article from Widener Law Delaware Library.
- To learn more about suffragists, read Her Story: The Women Behind the 19th Amendment by Greg Timmons.
Centennial Events:
Dogfish Head Brewery Special Release Beer
Dogfish Head Brewery has announced that they are developing a special beer to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. The LWVSC suggested the idea and the Dogfish Head Ambassodor, Bryan Selders, made the announcement at the LWVDE 100th Birthday Celebration on 2/14. Here is a video of that Dogfish Head centennial beer announcement.
The ale, incorporating notes of honey, rose petals, and pomegranate, is being brewed by an all female staff. It has yet to be named but the league will be involved in that process. It will likely be released in August of 2020.
Film Showings
- Iron Jawed Angels - March 28, 2020, 6 pm POSTPONED at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown. Hosted by LWVSC and the Freeman Stage. Post screening discussion led be Joanne Guilfoil, PhD. Generously sponsored by Delaware Tech. LWVSC will have a voter registration table at the event.
- Iron Jawed Angels - March 22, 2020, 1 pm POSTPONED at the Rehoboth Public Library. Discussion to follow.
- Knock Down the House - April 18, 2020, 2 pm CANCELED at the Black Box Theater in the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center. With a demo and discussion of the VOTE411 voters guide by LWVNCC.
- Knock Down the House - April 22, 2020, 1 pm POSTPONED - KDtH at the DSU Wilmington Campus. Plus a demo and discussion of the VOTE411 voters guide by LWVNCC. Light refreshments provided by DSU Adult and Continuing Education program.
- Iron Jawed Angels - May 10, 2020, 1:15 pm POSTPONED OR CANCELED -
IJA at Bear Library. Demo of the VOTE411 voters guide, and free popcorn provided. - Dignity & Defiance: A Portrait of Mary Church Terrell - May 31, 3 pm at a New Castle County location to be announced. LWVNCC with YWCA and the Wilmington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
- Film TBD - Sat Sept 12, 2020, 2 pm at the Newark Free Library, w/VOTE411 demo.
- Selma - October 2020 date TBD, at the Black Box Theater in the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center
Iron Jawed Angels is a historical drama film focusing on the American women's suffrage movement during the 1910s. It follows women's suffrage leaders Alice Paul and Lucy Burns as they use peaceful and effective nonviolent strategies, tactics, and dialogues to revolutionize the American feminist movement to grant women the right to vote.
the 2019 Documentary film "Knock Down the House" by Rachel Lears follows the incredible stories of four women who decide to run for office against all odds. At a moment of historic volatility in American politics, these women set themselves on a journey that changed their lives and country forever.
Women's Orchestra Concert
Celebrate the Women's Suffrage Centennial with a free performance by the "HerTime 20xx" Women's Orchestra Project, June 14, 2020 at 3 pm POSTPONED UNTIL SUMMER 2021 at the Downs Cultural Center on N. Franklin Street in Wilmington. Rosaria Macera will conduct music performed by women, and written by or for women.
Previous Events
Future Events for 2020
Non-League Events:
Keep an eye out for suffrage-related events at Delaware public libraries, the Delaware Public Archives, colleges, universities and historical societies all year long.
Centennial Resources:
This list of resources, along with much content of this article, courtesy of LWVSC (many thanks to our diligent Sussex County, DE webmaster).
