An informal parade calling to mind the marches of a century ago in support of women’s right to vote will be held Wednesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. on Main Street in Margaretville.
Inez Milholland
The sidewalk Suffrage Parade, coordinated by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will begin at Binnekill Park opposite NBT bank. All are welcome to participate and encouraged to wear traditional white. Bring a sign if you choose.
Marchers will proceed behind the “Votes for Women” banner to the Open Eye Theater to meet the characters in the new musical “Seneca Falls,” including Lucretia Mott, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Henry Blackwell and Sojourner Truth. Parade participants who purchase tickets that evening for the show for July 28-30 will receive a 20% discount.
A 13-minute film on the life and tragic death of Suffrage martyr Inez Milholland will also be shown. “Forward Into Light” tells the story of this icon of the Suffrage movement who became the voice for gender equality, pacifism, racial justice, unions and free speech in the early 20th century. In 1916, after a grueling schedule in which she gave 50 speeches across the country in 28 days, Inez Milholland collapsed of exhaustion and died of anemia at age 30.
The parade, film and gathering at Open Eye are free. Donations, of course, are most welcome.