Come Join the Parade for Women's Equality Day

They were spit upon, beaten, jailed, vilified in the pulpit, and sometimes scorned by their own sex. They were courageous risk takers who took on a government and the president of the most powerful nation in the world for a democratic principle, the right to vote. Yes, these were the “suffragettes” so-dubbed by the press and other detractors. Modern women are indebted to them and should appreciate their 72 years of sacrifices to gain that long-denied right to vote.

They who gave so much would shudder to learn that 22 million single women voters failed to vote in a presidential election with the potential to greatly impact their lives with steps backward on issues that affect not only of them, but of the world. Those women need to be awakened to their ability to change the course of history as their foremothers did.

How to do it? Hold a parade! That’s what we did in 2006, emboldened by the 1913 parade depicted in “Iron-Jawed Angels” when “6- 8,000 suffragists marched in a procession featuring colorful banners, marching bands, symbolic floats, and regiments of women marching by states alongside those of business and professions, delegations of women in their native costumes representing full or partial suffrage, a float showing women working beside men in the field and factory and another of elaborately costumed Women of the Bible.”

Learning that such parades won over more support for their cause than thousands of petitions, we felt sure that ours would bring out more women voters, and look what happened in November. However, it should be emphasized that this is not a protest march, but a commemoration of the 1920 victory and a demonstration of how much women contribute to society. Participants are encouraged to wear white with purple sashes denoting suffragist colors.

August 26 falls on a Tuesday this year so the parade will be on Saturday, August 23, still perfect for a grand parade down the avenue to the State Capitol.

Following is the schedule:

9:30 am: Parade participants are to assemble and check-in at Southside Park, 5th at T St;

10:00: walk or ride on floats or decorated cars to the North steps of Capitol

11:00 am: Enjoy a fun-filled rally with entertainment by Hali Hammer, Sounds Solution, and 10-year old singing sensation Reyna Amour between oral perspectives from activists and/or public officials.

Peruse displays of women’s history in books, paintings, photos plus vendors with merchandise. You can find descriptive photos now on the web site of the National Women’s History Project: www.nwhp.org

Donations will be appreciated. Make checks payable to: NWHP/Parade and mail to California Suffrage Parade Coalition at National Women’s History Project, 3343 Industrial Drive, Ste 4, Santa Rosa, California 95403.

Major sponsors last year were: Doris Foster Foundation, Women’s Inter-cultural Network-CAWA, National Women’s History Project, American Association of University Women, CA; California NOW, Sacramento Labor Council, Commission on the Status of Women, Coalition of Labor Union Women, MS Magazine, SEIU, CA.League of Women Voters, Sacramento and Griselda Catering. Revised June 200

The following volunteer positions are needed:

• Parade monitors
• Setup
• Cleanup
• Passing out water
• Runners
• etc.

Please contact Carol Norberg (510) 251-0559, cdnorberg@comcast.net .