“Rochester’s
legacy as a catalyst for civil rights in this country is undisputable,” said
Mayor Warren. “We are fortunate that two
of the most iconic abolitionists and suffragists in the history of our nation
lived right here in our city. Two years
ago, we recognized the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass with a
year-long community-wide celebration, and now it is our honor to pay tribute to
Susan B. Anthony in the same manner, as we commemorate her 200th
birthday in 2020.”
In addition
to celebrating Ms. Anthony’s birthday, this year also marks the 100th
Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which when ratified on Aug. 18,
1920 granted women in the United States the right to vote.
As part of
today’s announcement, a new 200th anniversary logo was unveiled that
will be used on signage, banners, paraphernalia and other materials over the
course of the year.
Mayor Warren
also announced that a new website, rocsuffrage.org,
has been launched. The website, designed
and hosted by the Rochester Regional Library Council, will provide an easily
accessible, central location where the public can find a complete listing of all
events and activities related to the celebration of Ms. Anthony and the suffragist
movement.
In addition
to events planned by the City and the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House,
other groups and organizations that are hosting activities will be able to add their
events to the listings as well.
“The Anthony
Museum and the city of Rochester – the city Susan B. Anthony called home – are
poised at the beginning of a historically significant year,” said Anthony
Museum President & CEO Deborah Hughes.
“We invite our entire community to join in this year-long celebration of
the life and legacy of this legendary social reformer.”
“2020 is
going to be a very special year for women – in our local community and
throughout the entire country,” Mayor Warren added. “And we’re going to do our best to make sure
the focus is on women all year long.”
In
celebration of the women’s movement, the City of Rochester has plans to bring a
special headliner to this summer’s ROC Women’s Fest, and one of the weekly
Party in the Park events will be dedicated to women, with only female
performers taking the stage throughout the evening.
A special
surprise performance will also engage fans at the Summer Soul Music Fest, and a
variety of events will be happening at the Rochester Public Market over the
spring, summer and fall months to commemorate the suffrage movement.
The Susan B.
Anthony Museum & House also has a number of activities planned for the
year.
The organization will host a special Susan B.
Anthony 200th Birthday Dinner on the evening of Feb. 12 at the
Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. More information about this event can be
found at https://susanb.org/event/susan-b-anthonys-200th-birthday-celebration-dinner/.
In addition, the 2020 Quilt Project has
collected quilt panels from across the nation that commemorate the Suffragist
Movement. The Quilt Project will be on
display at various locations throughout the year. A small sample is currently on display in the
City Hall Atrium through early February.
Other activities planned by the Anthony
Museum include a partnership with RIT for a Big Shot photo in the Susan B.
Anthony neighborhood, Votercade 2020 events during the spring, summer and fall,
and the Suffragist City Parade.
Additional events are still in the
planning stages. For more information
and a continuously updated list of activities, visit rocsuffrage.org.
# # #
News Media:
For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.