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Cass County 2020 Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative (WVCI) invites participation

Last Updated on September 25, 2019 by cassnetwork

Logansport, Indiana –  The Cass County 2020 Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative (WVCI) held an organizational meeting recently in the Bicentennial Room at the Cass County Government Building, according to spokeswoman Cindy Howard.

“The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote. The National Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative as well as the Indiana WVCI are organizing an amazing grass roots effort that consists of organizations and individuals. Events are being planned throughout 2020 to mark not only the past 100 years – but also the efforts of the 72 years prior to gaining the right to vote in 1920,” said Howard.  

“We want to make sure Cass County is a part of that celebration.  After talking with several women in the community, we formed the bipartisan group we have named the “Cass County 2020 WVCI.”

The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, is teaming up with Indiana Humanities, the Indianapolis Propylaeum, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau, and many local partners to inspire Hoosiers to think, read and talk about the history and significance of women’s suffrage and especially to highlight the many Hoosiers who played a role in the suffrage movement in Indiana and nationally.

“Of course, one of our main goals of this Cass County initiative is to encourage everyone to register to vote, especially women, minorities and young people just reaching their 18th birthday. In recent years, the turn-out at the polls has been low, but when you look at the actual number of people who aren’t even registered to vote, it’s very sad,” said Howard.   “We will be working with the League of Women Voters, schools and youth organizations to inspire civic action and hopefully increase voter turn-out. We want to use history to show that women’s right to vote did not come easily.”

The Cass County WVCI is planning several events throughout 2020 focusing first on March as Women’s History month. August 26, 1920, was the actual day that Hoosier women were granted the right to vote, so the group hopes to plan a special way to celebrate the actual anniversary

Activities on the drawing board include, historic portrayals, book reviews and movies about the Women’s Suffrage movement. By including Cass County’s activities in the national registry of events, this community will become a destination. The group also hopes to highlight our local museums such as the Cass County Historical Museum, the Ridlen Museum of American Political Communication and the Cole Clothing Museum and encourage them to add their own display related to the Women’s Suffrage movement.  

“We want to identify Cass County women who were key players in the Women’s Suffrage movement.  Their stories need to be kept alive.”

The Cass County 2020 WVCI invites participation from individuals and groups such as Extension Homemakers clubs, church circles, and sororities as well as those leading youth organizations such as Scouting, 4-H and school clubs. Teachers are encouraged to use the classroom-ready resource materials found at http://indianasuffrage100.org/resources/ and https://www.2020centennial.org/resources-for-teachers-all  

“The important thing is that we coordinate our efforts and publicize our community’s involvement as part of the state and national celebration,” emphasized Howard.

For more information, Cindy Howard can be reached at (574) 721-5505 or howardmckp@gmail.com

SOURCE: News release

Cass County Online