One hundred years ago, on July 21, 1923, Alice Paul (pictured below) first proposed the Equal Rights Amendment. One hundred years, and still there is no constitutional right to equality for women. To commemorate this centennial the historic Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta will screen Votes for Women, The History of Women’s Suffrage Through Song followed by a panel discussion of distinguished speakers who will share remarks on the state of women’s rights and the Equal Rights Amendment in Maine and in the nation. Our guest speakers include Filmmaker – Barbara Cray, Maine’s first femal Secretary of State – Shenna Bellows, Labor Commissioner – Laura A. Fortman, Executive Director of the Maine Women’s Lobby – Destie Hohman Sprague, and from Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Maine Youth Action – Audrey Hufnagel.

Barbara Cray’s documentary film Votes for Women: The History of Women’s Suffrage Through Song, tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement through historical segments narrated by Nancy Giles (contributor to CBS Sunday Morning) and illustrated with archival images and video from the Library of Congress, the National Archives and other sources. It captures the heroic efforts of women through the rousing songs of the suffrage movement (performed by Portland chorus Women in Harmony at their January 2020 concert in recognition of the centennial of the ratification of the 19th amendment giving women the constitutional right to vote) interspersed with historical accounts and illustrated with fascinating archival photographs and video.

The effective protests of women over one hundred years ago serve as models and inspiration for today. Barbara Cray’s movie is both delightfully entertaining and compelling. It reminds us, if this is necessary, of both the decades of struggle and sacrifice that were necessary to give us the freedoms we enjoy today, and of the unfinished business for a ‘more equal union’ that has been bequeathed to our generation.

Tickets are $10 General Admission
50% of all proceeds will be donated to the “Girls Day at the Statehouse” program

⭐️ Award winner for Best Historical Film from the Toronto International Women Film Festival.

Filmmaker, Barbara Cray, invites all attendees to join her for a post-event gathering. “Dress in suffrage white, or women’s rights colors of purple and gold, or dress as your favorite female leader. After the film screening and panel discussion, we’ll plan to parade down Main St. to Veterans Park in Newcastle for a sing-along of suffrage and women’s rights songs and a bring you own picnic in the park.”

Running Time: 55 minutes
The entire program is estimated to run approx. 2 hours