Anniversary imminent for women attaining right to vote
The 80th anniversary of Bermuda’s women in Bermuda winning the right to vote is the topic of a forum on Tuesday at St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Centennial Hall in Hamilton.
The milestone came from legislation passed by Parliament on April 21, 1944, and that became law the following May 15.
Change came about through the hard-fought efforts of Gladys Morrell, who led a 20-year struggle with the Bermuda Woman Suffrage Society.
Presentations on Tuesday run from 6.30pm to 8pm and will see them exploring “the historical context of this significant shift and the implications of this transformational chapter of our shared story in today’s world”, organisers said.
“Consideration will be given to impacts of broader progress for women and the context it offers for wider community solidarity.”
Presenters include journalist and historian Meredith Ebbin and Ellen Hollis, of the Bermuda Historical Society.
Also speaking are Tawana Tannock, lawyer and former chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission; Mischa Fubler, of Social Justice Bermuda, and Juanae Crockwell, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre.
Ms Hollis told The Royal Gazette: “We hope to continue discussions with the audience and expand upon women’s rights in general, where we came from, to educate our the audience, ourselves and to hopefully look towards the future and what can happen next.”
Ms Crockwell said it stood as a reminder of “an important part of our history”.
“We also recognise that there are lessons to be learnt from the suffragette movement and their advocacy.”
She added: “We are looking forward to reflecting on that movement, all that they achieved but also imagining what we can do going forward and how we can take those lessons and apply it to our advocacy.”
CedarBridge Academy student Dominque Brown is to deliver a solo song performance at the forum.
The collaborative event is supported by groups including Imagine Bermuda, Bermuda is Love, the Bermuda Human Rights Commission, Social Justice Bermuda and the Women’s Resource Centre.
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