Extension Marathon County Hosts (Virtual) Educational Event Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

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Written by Kaitlyn Bernarde

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted on August 18, 1920. It states:

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

An upcoming Extension Marathon County program — Marathon County’s Road to Women’s Suffrage — will educate community members and create a public dialogue on the 100 years since women were granted the right to vote in 1920, as well as what to expect regarding women’s suffrage in the next 100 years.

Marathon County's Road to Women's Suffrage logo

“Road to Women’s Suffrage” — Virtual Interview Series (on Facebook)

The first piece of this educational program to commemorate the Centennial of women’s right to vote will be held virtually in partnership with the Marathon County Historical Society. Interviews will be conducted with local historians and community leaders who will examine how women’s suffrage and women first holding public office were achieved and perceived locally. These interviews will point out that not all women were automatically eligible to vote in 1920 and explain how, despite the passage of the 19th Amendment, women continued to struggle with obtaining equal rights during the last century (and still do to this day).

These 10-minute interviews will be posted on the Extension Marathon County Facebook page on:

  • Tuesday, August 4: Ben Clark, Archivist, Marathon County Historical Society
  • Tuesday, August 11: Christine Kadonsky, Social Studies Teacher, Wausau West High School
Christine_Kadonsky
Christine Kadonsky, a Social Studies teacher at Wausau West High School, will be interviewed on August 11, 2020, as part of Extension Marathon County’s Road to Women’s Suffrage program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. (Photo courtesy of Wausau West High School.)

“Carrying the Vote” — 4-Session, Youth Civic-Engagement Learning Community (on Zoom)

A civic-engagement learning community titled “Carrying the Vote” will also be held virtually in August for high school students. During this 4-session virtual series, youth participants will dive into the people who worked toward the 19th Amendment, learn how amendments work, discover the role and importance of social and civic groups, and more.

Helen Ohm, portrait, front of postcard

Helen Ohm, back of postcard
Enter a Helen Olm campaign postcard featuring a portrait of her (front) and her campaign points (back). (Image courtesy of Marathon County Historical Society archives; photocopy by Christine Kadonsky.)

This series will engage youth with 4-H hands-on learning principles such as scenarios, simulations, and discussions. The learning community is open to all youth entering Grades 9–12. If interested, you can register here.

These four “Carrying the Vote” sessions will be held via Zoom from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on:

  • Wednesday, August 5
  • Monday, August 10
  • Wednesday, August 12
  • Monday, August 17

 

“The Next 100 Years” — 1-Hour Virtual Panel Discussion (on Facebook)

Marathon County’s Road to Women’s Suffrage program will culminate on Tuesday, August 18, with a panel discussion on the next 100 years. Join Melinda Osterberg, Extension’s Community Development Educator, as she moderates a discussion with current community leaders, including:

  • Ntxhais Chai Moua, Portage County Board Member
  • Heather Bruegl, Stockbridge-Munsee Community Director of Cultural Affairs
  • Katie Rosenberg, Wausau Mayor
Wausau_Mayor-Katie_Rosenberg
Mayor Katie Rosenberg will be one of the panelists in a Facebook discussion on August 18, 2020, as part of Extension Marathon County’s Road to Women’s Suffrage program celebrating the centennial of the 19th Amendment. (Photo courtesy of the City of Wausau.)

This hour-long panel discussion will be available to view live on Extension Marathon County’s Facebook page.

*  *  *

We invite all ages to follow along on Marathon County’s Road to Women’s Suffrage through Extension Marathon County’s Facebook and Instagram channels. If you are not on Facebook or Instagram, or are unavailable during the scheduled event times, video recordings and additional resources will be posted to the Extension Marathon County website.

We hope you take a moment to pause on August 18, 2020,
to recognize this important Centennial milestone for women’s rights.

Kaitlyn_BernardeKaitlyn Bernarde

4-H Program Coordinator  |  University of Wisconsin Extension–Cooperative Extension

Kaitlyn Bernarde is the Marathon County 4-H Program Coordinator for UW-Extension, where she has worked since April 2018. She is a graduate of Marathon High School, has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, divides her time between volunteer management and expanding access to 4-H programs. Her passion is strengthening Marathon County youth and adults via education, opportunities, and experiences. In her free time, you can find her exploring Wisconsin with her husband, consuming the news of the day, and trying a new cup of coffee with her family.  Email Kaitlyn Bernarde.

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