2017 Tioga County Women’s Suffrage Activities

(Broome-Tioga Women’s Suffrage Committee)

 

Beginning in late 2016, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the kick-off of New York State’s Women’s Suffrage 100th anniversary by appointing Lt. Governor Kathleen Hochul as Chairperson of a fourteen-member commission. It was decided that Broome and Tioga Counties would be combined as one committee and known as the Broome-Tioga Women’s Suffrage Committee.  NYS Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Tioga County Legislative Chair, Martha Sauerbrey were appointed as co-chairs. Meetings were held alternately in Binghamton and Owego.

 

A core group of women held ongoing meetings to celebrate the 100th Anniversary that NYS Women won full voting rights on November 6, 1917 three years before the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920. The core group consisted of: TC Legislative Chair, Martha Sauerbrey; T. C. Director of Tourism, Rebecca Maffei; Volunteer, Jenny Ceccherelli; T. C. Sustainability Manager, Ellen Pratt; Economic Planning & Development Director, Lee Ann Tinney and Emma Sedore, Tioga County Historian.

 

The highlights of their activities are described in brief as follows:

 

• January 27th Kickoff: Luncheon meeting at County Historian’s office with representatives from all nine towns (16 in attendance).

 

• Proclamation presented in recognition of the 100th Anniversary from Tioga Co. Legislators, read by Legislative Chair, Martha Sauerbrey

 

• Fundraising for the purchase of buntings in Suffrage colors of purple and gold was successful and were purchased and displayed throughout Tioga & Broome Counties. Commemorative buttons were also procured and distributed.

 

• Parades Held : Owego Strawberry Festival, Candor, Newark Valley & the 1913 Binghamton Suffrage Parade Reenactment

 

• July 14th: Historic Marker installed at 18 Front St., Owego, at the former home of Elizabeth Chatfield, secretary and host to Susan B. Anthony who stayed overnight 3/28/1894.  Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo attended and presented a Suffrage poster. News/TV Media, over 50 people in attendance.

 

• August 16th: By personal invitation,  Chairman Sauerbrey and the Tioga Women Lead group invited Lt. Governor Kathleen Hochul and Assemblywoman, Donna Lupardo to a breakfast at the historic Parkview Hotel. It was followed by a photo-op held at the Courthouse with newspaper media in attendance.

 

• August 19th: The signature event for the year was held at our historic Courthouse, with special permission from the Tioga County Legislature. It included:

 

           - Public Tours/Displays inside and outside on the lawn, Brochures, Maps, and handouts. Volunteers dressed in period clothing.

           - Senator Akshar: Proclamation Presentation

           - Assemblywoman, Donna Lupardo: Speaker

           - Patricia (Pattii)Yoder-Clark: Historical Re-enactor/Key speaker. Portrayed Susan B. Anthony’s 3/28/1894 suffrage speech made at the T.C.               - SUNY Broome Art Display: Faces of famous Suffragists depicted by Asst. Professor Patricia Evans’ students.

           - Period music: Curt Osgood, Dulcimer / Melissa Collins, Harpist / Daphne Braden, Guitar

           - Vignettes / Exhibits in Hallways: Period Furniture, Clothing, Books, Dishes, and Photographs.

           - Commemorative Quilt Displayed

           - Notable visitors from Surrounding Towns and counties included Broome-Tioga League of Women Voters, Roberson Museum, SUNY  

 

• Fall: Historic Marker installed at 249 Front St., Owego at former site where Belva Lockwood ran a Female Seminary from 1863-1865. In 1884 & 1888, she ran for President of U. S.

 

• Radio Interviews at WEBO and WNBF

• Newspaper interviews & Articles

• TV Interview WBNG with Tioga Co. and Broome Co.  Historians, Emma Sedore and Gerald Smith.

• Talks presented in Broome and Tioga County throughout the year by Tioga County Historian, Emma Sedore.

 

• Final recognition of the 100th Anniversary proclaimed “Hat Day,” by the Tioga County Historian who requested that all women wear a hat on November 6th, to commemorate the exact day that the vote was passed in 1917, allowing NYS women full voting rights.