Votes for Women! Suffragists on Parade

On Saturday the 17th, the 51-year-old Lakefair Parade in Olympia was host to a particularly special feature this year. On a perfectly sunny afternoon (which rarely seems to happen on Lakefair Parade day!), over 50 suffragists marched north on Capitol Boulevard in a dapper celebration of the Washington women's suffrage centennial.

Clad in lacy whites and huge hats, the suffragists led the way through the streets, proudly carrying signs displaying suffrage sayings, such as "They Showed Us It Could Be Done," "Hurrah for the Suffragettes," and "Taxation Without Representation is Tyranny." There were decorative banners and a maypole (for our younger suffragettes), 5-Star butttons, and Votes for Women sashes. A 5-Star Flag was proudly displayed, along with a replica of the official 1910 poster "Women Vote in New Zealand, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho Why Not in Washington?" Not to be outdone, our "Englightened Men of the Golden West," donned their top hats and eagerly joined the cause.

Historic personages (impersonated by prominent locals) in antique cars included Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, The Ladies of Seneca Falls, Susan B. Anthony, Daniel and Mrs. Bigelow, Ben and Abigail Scott Duniway, May Arkwright Hutton, and Emma Smith DeVoe. Elected officials marching in costume included Washington State Senator Karen Fraser, Cynthia Pratt of the Lacey City Council, Jeannine Roe of the Olympia City Council as well as County Clerk Betty Gould who pushed a stroller with a child recreating a famous parade image from the past. 5 Huzzahs and a congrats to all those who participated in this most successful event!