Press Releases
09/12/2019
Co-Chairs Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, First Lady Annie Lamont Kick-Off the Celebration of the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage
A town hall event with representatives from Connecticut’s towns and a press conference highlight the launch of the Connecticut Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission’s activities Centennial awards given to the Connecticut League of Women Voters and the Connecticut Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority The Commission is partnering with the Connecticut Department of Education to present
the National Archives’ “Rightfully Hers” poster series
HARTFORD – Co-Chairs of the Connecticut Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and First Lady Annie Lamont today hosted a town hall meeting for representatives from towns and cities across the state in the Hall of the House of Representatives at the Connecticut Capitol Building to kick-off the Commission’s celebration of centennial of women’s suffrage. The town hall meeting included presentations by the co-chairs, music by Connecticut State Troubadour Nekita Waller, and the introduction of a joint project between the Commission and the Connecticut Department of Education to popularize and distribute the National Archives’ “Rightfully Hers” poster series. Town leaders were introduced to the Commission’s website, https://votesforwomenct.com/, and encouraged to use the events calendar to join the Commission’s events and add their own. The Commission will be working with Connecticut’s towns and cities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage throughout 2020.
Following the town hall meeting, the co-chairs convened a press conference in the hall of flags to formally announce the launch of the centennial celebration and present the Centennial Award to the Hartford Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Connecticut League of Women Voters.
“This year we celebrate the largest expansion of democracy our nation has ever seen.” Said Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. “And while we recognize the huge leap forward that the 19th Amendment allowed, we know there is work still to be done. That’s why we are here today.”
She went on to say, “This year is all about collaboration. Our thirty commission member organizations each bring a unique, diverse, and invaluable perspective to the table, ensuring that this celebration is both fun and thoughtful. I’m grateful to my Co-Chairs and commission members for their dedication to this cause, and look forward to the momentous year to come.”
“Connecticut has long been a state that values the contributions of women and we are proud to be a state that held some of the very first suffrage meetings in the country,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “Decades, later we would again be at the forefront of empowering women in leadership by becoming the first state to elect a woman governor in her own right, Governor Ella T. Grasso. I am so proud to be launching the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Celebration and look forward to celebrating across the state, recognizing how far we have come and highlighting all of the important work that remains.”
“The moment of achieving a woman’s right to vote was a turning point for our country and for our world.” said First Lady Annie Lamont. “One of the most powerful nations on Earth was sending a message that women have the right and responsibility to contribute to our government. That moment opened the door for women to hold positions of power in government, education, healthcare, and of course, in business.”
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