Sue Lean would like you to know about the happy day, August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was signed into law. This amendment prohibits the states and federal government from denying citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex. Representative Bella Abzug of New York first introduced a joint resolution to Congress in 1971 to proclaim "Women's Equality Day” and it passed in 1973. This year August 26 is on a Saturday, a perfect day to celebrate!
Through her work as a board member at the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, Sue Lean is helping stage an upcoming event this year featuring a historic neighborhood walking tour led by Paul Parker, and short tours of the Bigelow House’s first floor, a women’s suffrage-flavored exploration, led by house docents! (See details at the end of this article.)
It was 1970 and Sue Lean, who had recently moved to Olympia with her husband, Attorney Charles Lean, attended a local League of Women Voters event, one that celebrated the 50th anniversary of the League. She was a new member, having joined in 1969.
“I was startled,” she said, “to learn that women only had the vote for 50 years.” (In fact, the League of Women Voters was formed before the 19th Amendment protected the vote, as the women believed it would be ratified shortly.)
It was a fact that changed her life – that, at that time, women had the vote nationally for ONLY 50 years. Such a basic right of American citizenship – and it was so recent! As she discovered, the struggle for “the vote” continued so long and persistently that it got to be known simply as “The Cause”.
She was even more startled in 1994 to see a National Parks brochure in Seneca Falls, New York, where the first women’s rights convention was held. The timeline said,
1910 - Washington becomes the first state in the twentieth century to fully enfranchise women inspiring a nationwide campaign that soon brings success in several western states.”
Washington was the fifth state in the nation and the first in the 20th century! Even then, she didn’t fully realize the significance of the victory.
And so Sue Lean set out on a path of discovery that changed her life. Now she’s a walking history book on women’s suffrage. In fact, she’s an expert on many aspects of Washington State and national history. Throughout it all, Rita Robison, a friend, journalist, and photojournalist, captured much of it in words and photos, some of which are included in this article. Together, they represent over 100 years of membership in the League of Women Voters!
Over the years, Sue Lean has explained history in many ways, helping us understand, experience, and appreciate the world around us. She first became involved with exhibits as the project director for “Documents of Liberty” on the Washington State Constitution of 1889 for the Secretary of State’s office at the Capitol building.
Always versatile, special features have included traditional lectures, parades, ice cream socials, teas, and interpretive exhibits developed. She has created displays, posters, receptions, and programs for state government and nonprofits.
For her efforts over five years, from the Magna Carta 800th celebration at the Temple of Justice in 2015 to the 2020 Centennial of the 19th Amendment, Sue received the “Excellence in Community Service” Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This was one of several awards she has received over the years.
Sue Lean has researched little-known events to help illuminate the big picture and has resurrected obscure photos and facts to tell important stories that might have been lost. She is a Bigelow House board member and the Vice Chairman of the Women’s History Consortium, an advisory board to the Washington State Historical Society. She contributed to the statewide civics textbook, The State We’re In: Washington, a guide to state, tribal, and local government, published by the League of Women Voters.
Sue was inspired by the Seneca Falls brochure timeline in 1995 for the 75th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The 85th anniversary of the women’s vote in Washington was included for the first time in a celebration which was held at the Natural Resources Building lobby.
The next year historian Shanna Stevenson called Sue Lean’s attention to the 125th anniversary of none other than Susan B. Anthony’s northwest suffrage campaign of 1871. Anthony, arguably the most famous women's rights activist in history, visited the Bigelow House and Daniel Bigelow arranged for Anthony to speak to the Washington Territorial Legislature. And at a time women were not expected to speak in public!
Sue and Shanna organized a 1996 event at the Capitol to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony visiting the Northwest in1871. They arranged for G. Thomas Edwards, author of the 1990 book, Sowing Good Seeds: The Northwest Suffrage Campaigns of Susan B. Anthony to speak at the Capitol. For the event, Pam Wells of Olympia created a five-star flag for Washington as the fifth state to grant women in the vote in 1910. It followed a four-star flag featuring the first four states: WY-1869, CO-1893, ID-1896, and UT-1896. The five-star flag would fly at many events to follow.
The five-star flag was featured in a women’s suffrage parade within the Lakefair Parade in 1998 for the 150th anniversary of the first women’s rights convention.
Sue Lean took the flag to Seneca Falls, New York, in 2000 for the induction of Washington suffrage leader Emma Smith DeVoe into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Leading up to the Washington Centennial in 2010, a number of events were held before the Day of Jubilation celebration at the capitol in November.
Sue Lean was thrilled to meet the great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Coline Jenkins at the New York State Museum in Albany where she had arranged for the five-star flag to be hung at the exhibit for New York winning the vote in 2017.
Sue organized a 2019 skit, “From Bloomers to Short Shorts: A Brief History of the Right to Wear Pants,” to help celebrate the 35th anniversary of Olympia hosting the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon trials. Joan Benoit Samuelson and other women runners reunited with well-wishers. Samuelson went on to win gold in Los Angeles at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
A pageant heralding the 2020 centennial was planned by community members, little knowing that pandemic restrictions loomed ahead.
The 2020 centennial year began on February 15, 2020, at the Bigelow House Museum for the 200th Birthday of Susan B. Anthony in 1820. It was celebrated along with the 100th anniversary of the National League of Women Voters (founded the prior day, February 14, 1920). Sue portrayed founder Carrie Chapman Catt.
The COVID pandemic close-down followed forthwith. Instead of being able to have a pageant, participants ended up being called out to ‘Dress Up and Be Seen for Suffrage’ holding signs in public places. Historic dates included August 18th, the day Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment and August 26th, when it was signed into law.
In August 2021 a “History in the Garden Tour” at the Bigelow House Museum also celebrated woman suffrage outdoors. Costumed volunteers portrayed historic leaders and significant events.
“I have always loved the holidays. It's opportunities for celebration. And good feelings between people… It is an easy way to learn history as those who arrange events choose the most interesting and appealing aspects of what happened when.”
“To animate the past is to clarify the present”, is her motto. “Commemorations,” she says, “are reflections of the values of the people putting on the celebration at that point in time.”
The adoption of the 19th Amendment was a turning point in American history, but the struggle for equality and voting rights continued and still continues. Many women from minority communities and women of color didn't gain the ability to vote until many years later. And, to this day, other equality issues remain.
The event will be held at 11 am on Saturday, August 26, at the Bigelow House Museum, 918 Glass Avenue NE Olympia, WA (map). A suggested donation is $5.
A neighborhood walking tour will be led by docent/board member Paul Parker through the Olympia Avenue Historic District, discussing the residential architecture, street-scape, and prominent citizens of the day.
House tours of short duration (10-15 minutes) will take place at the Bigelow house. Tours will start every 15 minutes, beginning at 11:30 am and ending around 2:00 pm. In honor of the day, the house tours will be themed with women’s suffrage.
Enjoy a first-floor tour with suffrage and Equality Day highlights. Costumed suffragists will preside and attendees are invited to wear suffrage garb if they wish. By the way, the house was newly reopened in June after a remodel during the pandemic, with new interpretive displays. Additionally, the 60th anniversary of the 1963 march on Washington and Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech will be recalled. Finally, the uninitiated may register to vote onsite through the League of Women Voters.
Click here more information.
Shirley Stirling, of Lacey, writes about good things people in Thurston County are doing. If you’d like to nominate someone to be profiled, contact her at shirley@theJOLTnews.com or comment below.
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chezeve
I really enjoyed your article Shirley! Chock full of information I didn’t know about women’s suffrage right here in Olympia. I appreciate knowing about this years upcoming event . You bring thoughtful, well researched, local historical information which I enjoy learning about. Thank you!
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Report this
griffithga
Thank you Shirley for another thoughtful and well researched article about Equality Day and Sue Lean. I really liked that you included the following quote from Sue:
“To animate the past is to clarify the present”, is her motto. “Commemorations,” she says, “are reflections of the values of the people putting on the celebration at that point in time.”
This is well-said and makes a point that one hallmark of a civilization is being able to reflect on the past, applying important lessons, and be inspired to face future challenges.
I would add that it was Sue who brought it to the attention of the Olympia Historical Society-Bigelow House Museum that this August 26th is also the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Both Equality Day and the March on Washington anniversary are just two great examples of milestones in our history that are well worth remembering and celebrating.
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Report this
Hmoats
Interesting. I wonder if all women in WA gained the right to vote at this time or only Caucasian women.
Monday, August 21, 2023 Report this
stirlsa
HMoats, below, wonders, what about the vote for ALL women? A good point and here is a paragraph from the above article:
The road to equality
The adoption of the 19th Amendment was a turning point in American history, but the struggle for equality and voting rights continued and still continues. Many women from minority communities and women of color didn't gain the ability to vote until many years later. And, to this day, other equality issues remain.
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 Report this