State Annual Historical Conference to Focus on Women's Voting Rights
and the 85 th Anniversary of the Women's Suffrage Amendment

Statewide - In 1920, after decades of persistent campaigning, women won the right to vote with the passage of the women's suffrage amendment to the United States Constitution. To commemorate the 85th Anniversary of this momentous event, the New Jersey Historical Commission will devote its 21st annual conference to the theme "Votes for Women," a look at the suffrage campaign in New Jersey and across the nation. The all-day conference, which is open to the public, will be held at the Trenton Marriott Hotel and the Trenton War Memorial on Saturday, November 19, 2005. Over two dozen history organizations will display exhibits at the conference.

The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration, a networking breakfast, and exhibits. Lectures and panel discussions will begin at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Ann D. Gordon, editor of Papers of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, will serve as the conference keynote speaker. She will discuss the topic, "Generations of Suffragists: Seven Decades of Agitation." Gordon is a research professor in the Department of History at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.

Professor Gordon observed "'votes for women' was an idea that met with resistance for decades.  By constant agitation, advocates slowly changed laws, constitutions, and public opinion, until 'voter' no longer equaled 'male.' The history is exasperating, funny, and inspiring; it reminds us that American citizens engage with their government to make it better."

The Annual Historical Conference will also welcome a lecture from Dr. Delight Wing Dodyk, president and co-founder of the Women's Project of New Jersey. Dr. Dodyk will speak on the topic "A New Jersey Perspective on the Suffrage Campaign." She is also the former editor of Past and Promise: Lives of New Jersey Women.

The conference also includes a workshop on teaching women's history, moderated by Professor Margaret Crocco of Columbia University Teachers College, and a workshop on the Women's Heritage Trail, moderated by Mary Murrin of the Historical Commission staff. In addition, at the luncheon, eight individuals and organizations will be recognized for their contributions to encouraging the public appreciation for and understanding of the history of the Garden State.

Taylor Williams esq., a living history interpreter from the American Historical Theater, will make an appearance as Alice Paul (1885-1997), New Jersey's famed women's rights pioneer.

The 21st Annual Conference is presented by the New Jersey Historical Commission, and cosponsored by leading women's organizations in New Jersey, including the Alice Paul Institute, the Institute for Women's Leadership consortium at Douglass College, the League of Women Voters of NJ, the NJ Division on Women, the NJ State Federation of Women's Clubs, the NJ State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, the Papers of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, and the Women's Project of New Jersey.