COVID-19 may have hit the pause button on a lot of activities this year, but it can’t stop us from finding creative ways to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Rights movement in the Finger Lakes. From virtual events to themed re-namings, we’re finding all the ways to honor the ladies that lead the way for us all 100 years ago.
Check out our list below for a few ways that you can take part in the celebration and #Celebrate100FLX with us.
Photo from Finger Lakes Times, courtesy of Carrie Bleakley
“Get to know” the iconic women of the area
There are iconic women found throughout every decade of our area’s history, and the team at Experience Cortland is helping you “get to know” a few with their spotlight blog series celebrating the 100th anniversary. You’ll find stories about the first four-star female Army General, a TV “Betty Crocker” who was called “America’s First Lady of Food,” and even a suffragist who advocated for women’s right to wear trousers over dress skirts in this blog series, all of whom resided in or near the Cortland, NY area.
Check out some of our favorite females from the series, including:
- Linda A. Mason
- Catherine Bertini
- Sarah E. Beard
- Adelaide Hawley Cumming
- Ann E. Dunwoody
- Amelia Jenks Bloomer
Learn about the role that racism played in early movements
Three events will explore the role that race, and racism played in the women’s rights movement. Learn about a time when “male” became synonymous with citizenship in the 14th amendment, a time when questions of race loomed over Quaker reformers, and the moment that Mary Talbert, an African American suffragist, stepped up to lead the NAACP’s first anti-lynching campaign of the early 20th century.
These events are happening in the Canandaigua area. Details for each are:
- September 12 – Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Racism within the Suffrage Movement
- October 10 – The Life and Work of Mary B. Talbert
- October 25 – Suffrage, Race and Quakers: Principles v. Pragmatism
Swing by 19 Susan B. Anthony Lane
While you’re in the area, stop by Canandaigua and the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection Tourism office located on 19 Susan B. Anthony Lane! The tourism office is located behind the Ontario County Court House which is where Susan B. Anthony was tried and convicted for voting. When Ontario County announced that the name of the little lane between the Court House and the tourism office (formerly named Court Street) was going to change to honor the famous leader in the suffrage movement the tourism office was more than thrilled to have the street address change. When told they could chose a number from 10 to 30 for the address they wisely chose the number 19 to also honor the 19th amendment giving woman the right to vote.
Tour Tioga and see the suffrage flags
The purple, yellow, and white striped suffrage flag was a symbol of the women’s suffrage movement of the early 1900s. The colors represented loyalty (purple), purity (white), and hope (yellow) along with the stars that represent the 39 states that votes to ratify the 19th amendment on August 18, 1920. Take a driving tour of Tioga County and you can see these flags posted all across downtowns and residential streets.
Check out more at: https://www.celebrate100tioga.com/suffrageflags.
The area also has a list of ways visitors can get involved, earn some suffrage swag, vote for your favorite “Shero” (she-hero), and learn more about the movement online at: https://www.celebrate100tioga.com/.
Get lost in a maze of maize
Long Acre Farm’s “Amazing Maize Maze” will be back this fall with a new design for visitors to lose themselves in. This year, the corn maze will depict a 2020 theme called “Cast Your Vote!” to celebrate 100 years of women’s right to vote as well as the 2020 presidential election year. Masks will be required inside the maze, as you navigate the stalks and find all 12 pieces to complete your maze map – showing a women’s voting box of the early 20th century.
Photo from Long Acre Farms Facebook
Check out the rules, the dates, and this year’s maize maze at: https://longacrefarms.com/visit/#amazing-maize-maze.
Looking for more? If that’s not enough to get your fill of women’s history, head over to our Celebrate 100 page for more ways to be inspired, empowered and enlightened by the work of past women in our region: https://www.fingerlakestravelny.com/see-and-do/celebrate-100/. Please note that this list was created pre-COVID-19 and certain restrictions may now apply.