August 26^th 2020 marks the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment being officially added to the US Constitution. The amendment removed sex as a reason to deny voting rights. In commemoration of this anniversary and in recognition of the ongoing struggle for voting rights, the Oregon Women’s History Consortium will be chalking on August 26^th, 2020, at three historically significant sites in the Oregon women’s suffrage campaign: The former site of the B.F. Smith Lime Warehouse (northeast corner of SW Third and Taylor), the former site of Taylor Street ME Church (southeast corner of SW Third and Taylor), and First Congregational Church (northeast corner of SW Park and Madison). Below is some background on the historical significance of these sites.

B.F. Smith Lime Warehouse  

On November 8, 1872, four women attempted to cast ballots at this location, even though it was illegal for them to vote. The women suffragists were one Black suffragist Mary L. Beatty (noted as “colored in news accounts of the time), and three white suffragists: Abigail Scott Duniway, Maria Hendee, and Mary Ann Lambert.

Their voting place was the Morrison Precinct, which was located in the offices of the warehouse.

Their action was part of a national strategy called the “New Departure” that claimed women born in the U.S. were citizens and therefore should be eligible to vote.

The four women, and many other suffragists would go on to found the Oregon State Woman Suffrage Association in February, 1873.

 

Taylor Street Church

In July of 1912, women suffragists chalked advertisements for a suffrage lecture on the sidewalks around this church. Their goal was to “catch the eyes of early crowds on the way to work,” and draw a larger audience to the meeting.

 

First Congregational Church

In June of 1905, Portland hosted the 37^th annual National American Woman Suffrage Association Conference at this church. Abigail Scott Duniway was joined by Susan B. Anthony and hundreds of suffragists from across the country who attended the week-long convention, the focus of which was the importance of women becoming full citizens by gaining the franchise, or, the vote.

 

Learn more about this project at #ChalkTheVoteOR

#ChalkTheVoteOR

Illuminated Amendments & Historical Nuggets

One collaboration leads to another, which we love. It’s been invigorating to work with all of the partners who are collaborating on #ChalktheVoteOR.

These colorful and insightful Illuminated Amendments and Historical Nuggets are the result of a collaboration between OWHC, artist N. Scrantz Lersch, of Studio 37, and historian and activist Nikki Mandell who located the campaign pins to use and wrote the Nuggets.

Not only will these graphics be handy aids to have as you’re chalking amendment texts this week, the historic pins might inspire you to chalk about a voting rights amendment in a new way. Below is one example.

And if you haven’t already seen these illuminated amendments and Historical Nuggets, we include them here as one more inspiration before you hit the sidewalks!

Enjoy! Be safe! And please share your good work. At us @oregonwomenshistory on Instagram and Facebook and use the hashtag #ChalkTheVoteOR!!

Happy Chalking everyone!

Oregon Women Suffragists Portrait Series

We love it when art & history intersect, which is why we were excited to feature the work of guest artist Darrion Bowen on our social media channels (@oregonwomenshistory on Facebook and Instagram) between April and June of this year.

Darrion’s portrait series highlighting Oregon Women Suffragists created another avenue to commemorate the Oregon 2020 suffrage centennial and explore the history behind it, during a time when in-person gatherings were not a possibility due to COVID-19.

Scroll down for Darrion’s portraits of Harriet “Hattie” Redmond, Esther Pohl Lovejoy, Abigail Scott Duniway, Lizzie K. Weeks, and Eva Wilson Bailey (who was actually an anti-suffragist).

A note of gratitude to @darrion_bowen for lending OWHC his time and talents and helping us stay engaged during this year of social distancing!

 

 

 

 

Nevertheless, They Persisted: Stories from the Long History of Suffrage

A virtual panel discussion with Janice Dilg, Kimberly Jensen, Judy Margles, Angie Morrill, and Linda Tamura, who worked as advisors on the Oregon Historical Society’s exhibit Nevertheless They Persisted: Women’s Voting Rights and the 19th Amendment.

This program originally aired on July 21, 2020, and was presented in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, and the Oregon Women’s History Consortium.

Southern Oregon Historical Society celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment!

We are excited to highlight the work of the Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) in their most recent issue of the SOHS Quarterly! The 2020 summer issue celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment with articles that include an overview of the suffrage movement, profiles of Oregon Suffragists, the role of women in the KKK, and an article about women’s names upon the land.

Access the full issue online at this link