WESTERLY, RI — The League of Women Voters of South County invites the public to a special Women's Equality Day celebration on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at The United Theatre, 5 Canal Street, Westerly, Rhode Island.
The event will feature acclaimed actress and playwright Rita Parisi in her powerful solo theatrical production, Women of '76, a richly costumed and engaging performance that brings to life the stories of women whose courage, intelligence, and determination shaped the American Revolution. The League will host a pizza reception following the performance in the theatre’s gallery.
This program is the third in the League's series of special events commemorating America's 250th anniversary. While the nation's founding story is often told through the actions of generals, statesmen, and soldiers, Women of '76 shines a spotlight on the women who helped win the Revolution but have received little recognition in traditional histories.
"America's fight for independence was not won by men alone," said League President Christine Martone. "Women's Equality Day offers a fitting opportunity to honor the women whose contributions have too often been overlooked and whose stories deserve to be part of our shared understanding of the nation's founding."
Through Rita’s dramatic storytelling and historical interpretation, audiences will encounter remarkable women whose lives reveal the complexity and diversity of the Revolutionary era:
- Baroness Frederika von Riedesel, whose vivid journals chronicled the realities of war
- Prudence Wright, who organized a militia of women and captured Tory spies
- Nancy Hart, the fearless Georgia frontierswoman who confronted British soldiers
- Mary Katharine Goddard, who courageously published the first printed Declaration of Independence bearing the names of the signers
- Mary Gould Almy, whose firsthand accounts documented the siege of Newport and provide a unique Loyalist perspective.
Together, their stories—Patriot and Loyalist, American and foreign-born—offer audiences a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the Revolution and the women who experienced it firsthand.
Rita Parisi has been touring original historical solo performances for more than two decades. Since founding Waterfall Productions in 2005, she has brought history to life for audiences throughout New England and beyond. A member of SAG-AFTRA, her work has appeared on both stage and screen, including presentations associated with the Boston International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
Tickets are $50 per person at The United Theatre, with proceeds supporting the League of Women Voters of South County's nonpartisan voter education programs, including the production of live candidate forums and voter guides serving all South County communities. Advance purchase is encouraged, as seating is limited.
About the League of Women Voters of South County
The League of Women Voters of South County is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy through voter education, advocacy, and civic engagement. The League neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties and works year-round to encourage informed and active participation in government.
