Although the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in August of 1920, the State of Delaware specifically rejected the amendment on Jun 2, 1920. It didn't approve the right of women to vote until Mar 6, 1923.The story of the key personalities in Delaware's role will be told in a free program at noon Saturday, March 6, 2010 in a living history program called "The War of the Roses-Delaware and the Battle for Women's Suffrage," presented at the Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover.
Mabel Vernon, representing the Suffragettes and their symbol of a daffodil, will be opposed by Mary Wilson Thompson, with the rose as a symbol of the anti-suffragettes. Thompson felt women would simply echo their husbands' votes, and should stay at home (although she spent a lot of time out lobbying).
Mabel Vernon at Wilmington Rally (Photo courtesy of First State Heritage Park)
Vernon, and her Wilmington, Delaware follower, Florence Bayard Hilles, felt that not having the vote was like taxation without representation. Hilles "put her money where her mouth was" by picketing the White House, and was arrested in July 1917, tried, and sentenced to sixty days in jail. After three days in jail, she was pardoned by President Wilson. The library at the headquarters of the National Woman's Party in Washington, D.C., is named after her. Vernon will be played in this program by Abigail Wilson, and Thompson will be played by Necla Beck.
Another event in honor of Women's History Month will occur in Philadelphia, Tuesday, March 9. "Seeds to Suffrage" will be presented from 6 to 7 PM (fee) at the Second Bank of the United States located on Chestnut Street, between 4th and 5th Streets. Join Interpretive Ranger Holly Johnson, as she leads a rarely seen illustrated program sponsored by the Friends of Independence National Historical Park on the similarities between our fight for freedom and the Suffragists fight for equal rights, denied to them by the men who fought for our new nation; the Founding Fathers.
Daffodils Vs. Roses 
Carolyn Roland, GRI CRS Patterson-Schwartz & Assoc. Inc.
Selling historic properties in Delaware
and Chester County, Pennsylvania since 1987. Office located in Hockessin, DE, on the Delaware/Pennsylvania line.
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The DE and PA Historic Real Estate blog Call: Direct 800-771-2332 Office 302-239-3000
I knew there was a reason I didn't want to live in Delaware. I do love the beaches though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Celesta,
I just looked at your site to see where you were, and you are not too far away from us! You have to admit, the beach towns in Delaware let everyone do their own thing! And you should fill in all the blank areas on your Active Rain profile so that the questions it asks you don't show up to the public. It can be a great tool once you get used to using it!
Carolyn