Celebrating a century of civic engagement

By Kay Spangler

On September 8, 1919, the Minnesota Legislature voted YES to ratify the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, granting women the right to vote and ending the 72-year struggle for woman suffrage. The League of Women Voters Minnesota began with suffragist Ms. Clara Ueland as its first President to help carry out the new work of empowering voters and defending democracy with women at the table and in the voting booth. One hundred years later, LWVMN continues to thrive as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization promoting good government and civic engagement throughout Minnesota.

To celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the LWVMN created a traveling exhibit that features Minnesota’s suffrage history and story, highlights the women who made voting rights happen, and gives recognition to the organization’s mission. The display also motivates visitors to educate themselves to vote, reminds them that democracy depends on their participation, and empowers them to act in defense of democracy.

This free memorial exhibit will be on display in the 1916 Gallery at the Chatfield Center for the Arts, 405 Main St. South, Chatfield, Minn., from October 30 – November 13. The hours are Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m., and also on November 2 and 9, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, for groups wanting to visit the exhibit, and for volunteers wanting to help staff the exhibit contact LWV Fillmore County at lwvfillmorecty@lwvmn.org, and also visit the League of Women Voters – Fillmore County on Facebook.

In conjunction with the LWVMN traveling exhibit, “Legalize Equality,” a 30-minute film produced by the Heroica Foundation and created by Kamala Lopez, will be shown in the Legion Room at the Chatfield Center for the Arts on Saturday, November 2, 1 p.m. The movie streamlines critical information about the Equal Rights Amendment and makes a strong legal and economic argument for why completing the passage of the ERA is critical. The film is free to the public and is sponsored by the Chatfield United Methodist Church and the LWV Fillmore County.

Mark your calendars to visit the LWVMN’s traveling exhibit, “Celebrating A Century of Civic Engagement” and to attend the film, Legalize Equality. See you at the Chatfield Center for the Arts!