Julie Cannavino. Submitted
The Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library are bringing a wonderful exhibit to the Fernandina Beach Branch Library entitled "Votes for Women: A Portrait in Persistence," from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling SITES program. This captivating exhibit will be on display from Sept. 21 to Dec. 20 in the Library's Community Exhibit Room. The purpose of the SITES program, according to the Smithsonian website, is to “strengthen connections between the Smithsonian and museum and cultural organizations-and their communities and audiences everywhere-inspiring a deeper understanding of our world and how it can be changed for the better.”
The Votes for Women exhibit delves into the decades-long struggle for women's suffrage, beginning in the 1870s and culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. It explores the tireless efforts of women's rights activists who fought for equal voting rights and the challenges they faced along the way.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about significant milestones in the women's suffrage movement, including the March on Washington which took place March 3, 1913. This march resulted in 5,000 women marching up Pennsylvania Avenue demanding the right to vote. This march brought much needed visibility and interest to the suffrage movement when it was sorely needed. The exhibit also highlighted the ongoing fight for voting rights, even after the passage of the amendment, as women of color continued to face barriers to voting.
Among the notable figures featured in the exhibit are Ida Wells, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. These women played pivotal roles in the suffrage movement, organizing protests, giving speeches, and lobbying for legislation.
The exhibit also explores the intersection of women's suffrage with other social justice movements of the time, such as the abolitionist movement and the labor movement. This connection highlights the broader struggle for equality and justice that characterized the era.
Nassau County Public Library is thrilled the Friends of the Fernandina Beach library are bringing this important exhibit to our community. It is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by countless women to secure their right to vote and the ongoing struggle for voting rights for all.
The exhibit is open to the public during regular library hours. Complementary programming is in development and will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit nassaureads.com.
Julie Cannavino is library director for the Nassau County Public Library System. She has a master’s degree in library science and has worked in school and college libraries, as well as public libraries. Questions or comments? Contact her at jcannavino@nassaucountyfl.com