WOMEN’S EQUALITY
Palette Cafe celebrates 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Wednesday marked the 100th anniversary of the addition of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment gave women the right to vote and was a major victory for the nation’s suffragist movement. The occasion was marked by Palette Cafe with a day devoted to women’s equality.
The day was packed with guest speakers, interactive panels, and meaningful conversations. The event adhered to all safety guidelines. Attendance was capped at 50 guests. Masks were worn unless participants were able to maintain a distance of six feet - or, as one Saratoga-centric sign posted in the nearby grass described, “one horse apart.”
All of the day’s activities were live-streamed on Palette’s Facebook site so that anyone that couldn’t be there in person was still able to attend.
“The goal today is to have a good time, to be safe, and to focus on what we as women have in common,” commented Palette owner and Purveyor of Fun Catherine Hover. “To any woman out there who thinks she doesn’t have a voice, listen to me when I say YOU DO.”
Martel Catalano, who led a morning meditation session and the newest founding member of Palette sponsored by an anonymous donor, said “everything feels really safe and positive. We need to continue to uplift minorities and people who have been oppressed in the past.”
Guest speakers included Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, Senator Daphne Jordan, representatives of the League of Women Voters
and the Young Adult Activists, and a panel of “woke” or “emotionally evolved” men.
A voter registration table was available for anyone who wanted to update their voter registration information or register for the first time.
The primary topic of the day was how to continue supporting women’s equality and empowerment. The consensus among panelists was that there is still a long way to go and lots more work to be done.
During her chat with Woerner, Hover talked about the impossible and unhealthy idea of the image of perfection in women, complicated by the current divisive nature of the country.
“It’s important for us to own our imperfections,” said Hover. “Women don’t need to be perfect. No one has said that. Actually, some people have said that but they’re wrong.”
“The fabric of society has frayed, and it’s our responsibility to weave it back together,” commented Woerner. The assemblywoman feels that in order for that to
Catherine Hover and Marcella Hammer of Palette Cafe. happen, communities must come together through conversations that may not be easy to have, learning, changing, and taking action.
“Personally, I love the tough conversations,” said Hover. “What scares me the most is when women are told ‘no’ or ‘you can’t,’ and they go away. But I think we’re in a new time now, with a new type of young woman who is empowered by that condescending attitude, and she takes action.”
Hover continued, “As women, we can’t take anything for granted and we can’t forget how much work we did to get that right to vote. We still have a lot of work to do.”
For Hover and her business partner, Palette’s general manager and Resident Unicorn Marcella Hammer, the day’s activities were a realization of a longtime goal and a lot of careful planning.
“This has been a plan for us since way back when,” said Hover, describing the process of putting the event together. “When COVID hit, we were worried that we couldn’t do it, but I said ‘oh no, we’re going to make this work.’ We have so many people around us who are so supportive. Hopefully, this is just the beginning, and the smallest one we’ll ever have to hold.”
“It’s nice to represent all the different sides of women,” said Hammer about the variety of panels on the schedule. “We are complex. I think for me, the important thing is that there’s no one way to talk about women’s equality, or equality in general. There’s no one entry point - it’s all about finding YOUR entry point to making changes.”
Jordan agreed with Woerner that the road to women’s equality requires communication, as well as compromise and partnership. She strongly encourages all women who are interested in making a change to actively get involved in their communities.
“Start local if you’re interested in politics and government,” she advised. “Start with something that’s meaningful to you that you can work hard on. Local libraries are a great place to get started. I’ve always said that if you can read, you can do anything.”
Jordan added, “Women need to have their voices heard at the table. The majority doesn’t always want to listen to what the minority wants to say. You need to have ALL voices at the table in order to make the best changes.”
The day ended with a two-hour socially distanced suffragist party in Palette’s “Not-So-Secret Garden,” with many attendees wearing white to celebrate equal rights.
“It’s just a dream to put on and be involved with an event like this,” said Hammer. “It’s priceless, and it’s absolutely so exciting.”