I am currently in New York City for my 10 year college reunion where I received the Millicent Carey McIntosh Award for Feminism because of, of course, the pussyhat! While I came up with the idea of the pussyhat, it was NOT a solo endeavor. So many people came in to make the vision a reality and the powerful symbol of solidarity it is today. Check out this free printable timeline that includes several major players in the making of the pussyhat! This award truly belongs to ALL of us – all of you who stand up for our rights and the rights of those for whom it is dangerous to speak up – you rallied, you knitted, you made calls to your representatives, you voted, you helped create THE SEA OF PINK. THANK YOU. And congratulations!!!
A snapshot taken before the ceremony (the construction in the background shows that Barnard is committed to always improving! :)
I am including a portion of my remarks here below, and I want to add that today is the 100 year anniversary of the Senate passing the 19th amendment – which is a huge milestone – perhaps not as "sexy" as next year when we will see the 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment being ratified, but so important nonetheless, and it shows how suffragists 100 years ago had to fight battle after battle to win us all suffrage. Especially when abortion rights are being eroded, we must, like the suffragists, persist!
My remarks:
I am a product of Barnard in more ways than one – my mother is Barnard class of '77 and she is here today!
This award is such a huge honor and to have the chance to speak to you today is a dear privilege. I have to ask myself, "What do I say to my sisters?" There's nothing I can teach you but I hope what I have to say serves as a reminder that you are powerful. You know this, I'm just reminding you, You are powerful and your so-called "small" actions matter.
The Pussyhat started out small as an idea in a 29 year old woman's head, but the thing is women are viral. When 1 woman heals herself she heals her friends, who then heal their communities, who then heal their cities and states and countries. The Sea of Pink on the National Mall and in news articles everywhere around the world was the result of millions of women doing the small action of making a handmade pink hat.
I want to tell you about another small action that has been largely lost to history. It is the small action of Miss Phoebe Ensminger. This is a great cocktail party story by the way so do take note! Almost 100 years ago today Miss Phoebe sat down and took out 3 sheets of paper. She wrote a 6 page letter front and back to her 24 year old son. I've read this letter in her own handwriting and I have to say it's a very "Mom" letter - things haven't changed in 100 years! She writes about the weather, the car repairs, an upcoming wedding, what the milkman is up to, and she guilts her son relentlessly about not visiting her often enough. But within those 6 pages she tells her son something important: Vote for ratification of the 19th amendment, Give women the vote.
Her son wore a red American Beauty rose on his lapel representing anti suffrage, and he wasn't home because he was serving as the youngest man in the Tennessee state legislature. Because of his mom's letter he changed his vote shocking his entire party. Tennessee was the last state needed to ratify the 19th amendment and because of Miss Phoebe's letter we all have the right to vote today.
So the reminder I'm here to give you is:
Value yourself and value the so called small actions you take. Thank you.
So, my dear dear sisters, THANK YOU and congratulations on your award!!!
P.P.S. My Patreon supporters this week are getting my Reunion Stories and my special map of NYC outlining my current favorite places to write! Join us for as low as $3 a month to tap into your creativity. And know that you're supporting an artist trying her best to to encourage small actions that give major impact! Thank you!!!
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