"Now all we need is to continue to speak the truth fearlessly, and we shall add to our number those who will turn the scale to the side of equal and full justice in all things," Lucy Stone, Original Suffragette, 1818-1893
Earlier this summer, a group of local women's rights supporters started meeting once a week to discuss ways to get out the vote and build a coalition of support and action following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. With a wink to the original Suffragettes movement, they call themselves the "New Suffragettes." The cause may be a bit more nuanced and complex than simply securing a woman's right to vote, but the passion for the cause is clear, focused and perhaps stronger than ever given the fact that reproductive health laws in some states have now reverted back to what they were over a century ago.
Determined to honor the lives and work of the original Suffragettes by working fearlessly to protect women's rights today, the New Suffragettes hope to find middle ground where both sides of the reproductive health issue can ultimately recognize their common role as women and those who love women and who want to protect women's rights to both individual sovereignty and safe, accessible healthcare.
While 61 percent of Americans say abortion should be legal, the vote has not gone to the people, as of yet.
But in the meantime, the people do vote for who will represent them on the local, state and federal levels, and that vote matters more now than ever before. Over the coming weeks, this dialogue will continue to grow and expand as the New Suffragettes go out into the community at large and begin canvassing potential voters who may not be familiar with all the issues at hand in women's rights today. They hope to start a community-wide conversation and action that will ultimately shift the needle back from regression toward the right side of history.
If you are interested in learning more about or getting involved with the New Suffragettes, you can send an email to newsuffragettestn@gmail.com and someone will reach out to you.