ANTHONY: The women who step out today in Veterans Square are following in some mighty big footsteps. Susan B. Anthony herself, the “mother” of the women’s movement in America, was in Bradford in 1892 to further the cause.
And she spoke not far from where today’s women (and men and children) will be assembling. The suffragette spoke in 1892 at the Wagner Opera House at the corner of Main and Chamber streets.
We thank Sally Costik, curator of the Bradford Landmark Society, for sharing this information, a subject she has written about over the years. But back to today’s “Celebration of Women,” which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature songs, poetry, marching and a couple speakers. Everyone is invited.
Miss Anthony was in Bradford to help start a political equality club and to support friends in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.
To quote newspaper accounts, “The news of the arrival of the distinguished lady quickly spread, and late Saturday evening Capt. W.B. Chapman, upon his own responsibility, succeeded in securing a promise from her to address a meeting in the Opera House at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon.
“Notwithstanding the shortness of the notice, long before the hour announced, people began thronging to the place of meeting and when 3 o’clock arrived every available seat in the house was occupied. Standing room was soon out of the question and hundreds went away unable to gain admission.
“Miss Anthony spoke for an hour and a half upon the necessity of the ballot for women. In carrying out the social and moral reforms they desired she made special reference to the temperance questions and related many instances of the successful management of municipal affairs by women. She told of the success of woman suffrage in Kansas and Wyoming and held the earnest attention of her audience to the close.”
She suggestions names be taken of the ladies who wished to join. In a few moments 67 names were secured and officers elected.
Today’s marchers are expected to don ribbons made by organizer Harriet Nevil of Eldred which feature three colors of the women’s rights movement — green, white and purple.
