Politicians, unionists and activists came together at City Hall yesterday to celebrate 79 years since women received the right to vote in Bermuda.

Glenn Fubler organised the event, which highlighted the work done by the National Hero Gladys Misick Morrell and the physician and politician Eustace Cann to make the law possible.

Inspired by the British suffrage movement while studying in London, Mrs Morrell became a founder and leader of the Bermuda Woman Suffrage Society, which spent decades fighting to give women the right to vote.

Dr Cann went against other Black parliamentarians, who were fighting for universal suffrage at the time, and supported the law that allowed women to vote, which was passed on April 21, 1944.

Juanae Crockwell, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre, called the suffragettes “activists who were bold and steadfast in pursuit of their goals”.

She said: “We hope to take these lessons from the past and use them to further advance the rights, treatment and equality of women.”

She added that while some progress has been made in promoting gender equality on the island, there is more work to be done, particularly regarding domestic abuse.

She explained: “Women who call our office have been to the police and different agencies and still are not getting support with that — that is something that we need to work on.

“The legislation is already there, but enforcement of the legislation is what protects us, so we need to work on enforcing the things that are already in place.”

Linda Bogle-Mienzer, from the Bermuda Public Services Union, pointed out similarities between the women’s suffrage and labour movements.

She said: “When we think in the union capacity, there is still an inequity of pay and when people sit around and have conversations about why unions are relevant, this is why.

“Until we get total equality for everybody, then our work must continue.”

Lindsay Simmons, the Junior Minister of Social Development and Seniors, said that continuing to empower women and girls will lead to a more prosperous Bermuda.

She said Bermudians can learn from the actions taken by Mrs Morrell and Dr Cann almost 80 years ago.

She added: “People can learn to fight for what they believe is right and equality in general.

“It should not matter what sex or race you are, we need to work harder to make sure that all are equal.”

Former Progressive Labour Party MP Dale Butler, who nominated Dr Cann to be a National Hero several times, encouraged people to honour his legacy and to fight for what they believe in.

He said: “[With the internet], we are being overwhelmed with information, so there is no excuse why we do not know our history.

“People should find others who think like them and find another strategy.”

High school students Sofie Schrum, from the Bermuda High School for Girls, and Callahj Simons, from the Berkeley Institute, presented Ms Simmons and the Junior Minister of Finance, Arianna Hodgson, with an olivewood tree, representing peace and community.

Mr Fubler said: “This tree will be planted on the grounds of Parliament, in the name of both Gladys Morrell and Eustace Cann.”