Suffragette books donated to local libraries

In commemoration of the historic passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, the AAUW (American Association of University Women) West Chester-Chester County branch, and the League of Women Voters of Chester County (LWVCC) have provided books about women’s suffrage to all county libraries.

The project, “All Chester County Reads About Women’s Suffrage” involves the 18 libraries in the county. AAUW has supplied libraries with the book, Why They Marched by Susan Ware. The LWVCC has donated a selection of recommended children’s books.

For upper elementary children and young adults: Rightfully Ours: How Women Won the Vote by Kerrrie Logan Holllihan, and for children: Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragettes, A Kitten and 10,000 Miles by Mara Rockliff.

Volunteer liaisons at each library have been established by the two organizations to help support educational efforts about this important historic event. Fran Piece, Eva Kaufman and Pam Gray coordinated the project.

AAUW and LWVCC volunteer liaisons will lead book discussions at each of the library branches. Volunteer liaisons from LWVCC are Pam Gray, Lorraine Deisinger, Kathy Gastinger, Jenn Jones, Susan Mano and Judy Menzel.

AAUW volunteer liaisons include Elaine Burgess, Mimi Jones, Elaine Greaney, Carol Haaf, Barb Lathroum, Jane McDowell, Nancy Paist-Riches, Mary Smith, Jean Speiser, tonya thames-taylor and Dot VonGerbig. A copy of the flyer announcing the reading event has been provided to each library for them to distribute electronically to their patrons. The Phoenixville Library will do a Zoom discussion in October. Check with your local library for copies of the books, and for scheduled dates and times of group discussions throughout the year.

Because of the interruption caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the National Women’s Historical Center has extended the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted voting rights to women in 1920. Many events are still taking place during the current year, but virtually, so they can be enjoyed at one’s leisure.

For further information about events, visit the national suffrage websites: Women Win the Vote Gazette, Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative (WVCI) and National Votes for Women Trail.