2020 Community Discussion Series – The (Unfinished) Legacy of the Women’s Suffrage Movement: The Vote, Equity & Reform

Lippitt House Museum in partnership with the Providence League of Women Voters
Mondays, March 16th, 23rd, & 30th
6:30 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Discussion

This year is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which made it illegal to prevent a woman from voting based on her sex. But in the last 100 years, what progress has been made on the issues promoted by suffragists—not only voting access, but also criminal justice reform and equal pay? The 2020 community discussion series, in partnership with the Providence League of Women Voters, addresses issues suffragists fought for and how we can take action and promote change on matters still important 100 years later. The suffragists’ activist legacy is still relevant for America today. The work isn’t done—we’re still at!

Equity in Voting – Session 1 – Monday, March 16, 2020

​What are impediments that keep eligible voters from exercising their franchise? What can be done to overcome barriers and encourage broader participation?

Scheduled Speakers:
– Kat Kerwin – Providence City Councilwoman and community organizer
– Wendy Schiller – Chair of Political Science, Brown University
– Angel Taveras – Former Providence Mayor

Criminal Justice Reform – Session 2 – Monday, March 23, 2020

What is being done to overcome biases in the criminal justice system, promote the exercise of justice with equity, and not unjustly burden communities of color?

Scheduled Speakers:
– Jill Harrison – Professor of Justice Studies, Rhode Island College
– Judge Mary McElroy – Judge Federal District Court of Rhode Island
– Judge Judith C. Savage – Former Rhode Island Superior Court Judge

Equal Pay for Equal Work – Session 3 – Monday, March 30, 2020

What can be done today to promote equal pay for equal work regardless of sexual orientation, gender, age, race, or ethnicity?

Scheduled Speakers:
– Marcela Betancur – Executive Director, Latino Policy Institute
– Rachel Flum – Executive Director, Economic Progress Institute
– Maureen Maigret – Consultant, Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island