African-American Participants in the Women’s Suffrage Struggle
Jacqueline Madison
Robin Caudell
Jazzy Dunn
Helen Criss sand a wonderful version of the 1920’s song “Crazy Blues.”
Ausable Chasm, NY – The North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association conducted a Centennial Suffrage performance on July 31st at the Ausable Chasm Gazebo. It centered on the three African American women – Ida Wells-Barnett (role-played by Jacqueline Madison), Portia S. Blackiston (role-played by Robin Caudell), and Helen Appo Cook (role-played byJazzy Dunn). Portia spent time in the Westport area, Helen in North Elba, and Ida published a New York City newspaper. They led the fight for African American rights, including voting rights. Their courageous work intersected and assisted the more well-known efforts of Susan B. Anthony and other suffragettes.
The program also included the short documentary “Without a Whisper,” which is the untold story of the profound influence of Indigenous women on the beginning of the women’s rights movement in the United States. For example, for as many as one thousand years before the passage of the 19th Amendment, Iroquois Confederacy men had to be approved by a vote of the tribe’s women before being appointed chief.
Posted: August 3rd, 2021 under Adirondack Region News, Arts and Entertainment, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.