For the Express
JOHNSTOWN — A near century after women’s suffrage was granted, ladies are excited to tell “herstory.”
Offering a clever play on pronouns, area women celebrated the 90th anniversary of the 19th amendment’s ratification this week, noting nothing about the historical movement was “his.”
Taking the birthplace of their hometown suffrage movement activist to heart, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Women’s Consortium gathered in the Johnstown Park Friday, just across the street from the Bank of America that was once Stanton’s childhood home.
Consortium members donned 1920s garb — long skirts and long-sleeved shirts — flashed pickets, and sang songs to remind them why they can cast their votes every election.
“We wanted the feel of an old-time suffrage rally,” consortium President Helen Martin said of the event, which was held a day after the actual anniversary on Thursday. “We wanted a fun night to continue the momentum of our celebration.”
Friday marked the second of a two-day event, preceded by a “Women of Influence” luncheon at the Johnstown Holiday Inn featuring keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-N.Y.
“We want to continue to get the message out,” Martin continued. “I don’t think that people forget; I think for the younger ones, they just don’t know what went into their right to vote. It’s a subject not touched on often in classes, maybe two paragraphs in history classes.”
For consortium Vice President Sandy Maceyka, the fight isn’t over.
“Women still only get paid 78 cents to the man’s dollar, and if [a woman] is a college graduate, she only makes 73 cents to the man’s dollar,” she said. “It’s disgusting. This is why we need to push awareness.”
Lightening the mood was the Johnstown-based singing group The Bobcats, who sang traditional suffrage songs “Give the ballot to the mothers,” to the song “Marching through Georgia,” as well as “Uncle Sam’s wedding,” to the tune of “Yankee Doodle.”
“They used to take a popular song that everyone knew and change the words, then handing out lyrics so everyone could sing along,” said consortium Secretary Linda Hammond.
Paper “ballots” were also passed around for women to place in designated “ballot boxes,” and though some men were present, they weren’t offered the same opportunity.
“They’re not allowed,” said Martin with a chuckle.