Centennial of 19th Amendment commemorated on International Women's Day

The Boston Pride women's professional hockey team (Isobel Cup semi-finals, Warrior Ice Arena, 2:30 p.m.) and the Boston Celtics (vs Oklahoma Thunder, TD Garden, 6 p.m.) will mark women's struggle to gain voting rights. Boston Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, and women from Suffrage MA 100 will drop the ceremonial puck for the Pride and both teams will be showing a video message from Mayor Martin J. Walsh during their games. 

"I'm so glad to partner with Boston's major sports teams as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote becoming part of the Constitution," said Mayor Walsh. "The activities taking place on International Women's Day keep us mindful that the suffrage movement was fought for seven decades before women were given equal voice and it took decades more for African American, Latina, Asian American and Native American women to be able to exercise the same right." 

In addition, Boston City Hall and many visible city landmarks including the Prudential Building, the Zakim Bridge, and the Government Center MBTA Station will be lit in women's suffrage colors of purple, white, and gold.

Last year, Mayor Walsh launched The Greater Boston Women's Vote Centennial, a special project led by the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement that commemorates 100 years since the 19th Amendment was adopted in 1920, enabling women to vote. This special project is made possible in collaboration with the Barbara Lee Family Foundation.

"I am thrilled that, thanks to the Mayor's Office and our Boston sports teams, many more people will have the opportunity to learn about the women's suffrage movement," said Barbara Lee, President and Founder of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation. "It's important that we see the centennial of the 19th Amendment not just as a celebration, but as a call to action."

As part of the project this past November, the city named a Hyde Park reconstructed bridge as the Grimké Sisters Bridge in honor of sisters Angelina and Sarah Grimké, Hyde Park residents known for their tireless work in both the women's suffrage and abolition movements. In September last year, the project held a kick-off event at Faneuil Hall featuring speeches by elected officials, and performances by History at Play and Boston Children's Chorus. 

For more information on the Boston Women's Vote Centennial, please visit boston.gov/suffrage

ABOUT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT

The Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement creates specific programming and opportunities that support three priority areas: economic equity, safety, and empowerment and representation. Some of the office's most recent work includes: research on childcare affordability; a multi-pronged approach to closing the gender pay gaps; reducing the demand for commercial sexual exploitation; and creating specific programming for women entrepreneurs. Learn more on their website.