Digression: Rose Parade float ‘Years of Hope, Years of Courage’ celebrates centennial of the 19th Amendment ratification via the National Women’s History Alliance.

Text via the newsletter of the National Women’s History Alliance — “A Special Kick-off Celebrating the Centennial of the Women Suffrage Movement…

Join the hundreds of millions throughout our country and the world to witness the special kick-off celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Women in the Unites Winning the Right to vote.    

On Jan. 1, look for Ms. Liberty in the Rose Parade. You can’t miss her; she’s 30 feet tall, wearing a “Votes for Women” sash, and her tablet has the 19th Amendment, the amendment that women fought hard to win in order to vote, like “real” citizens.

Women will be front and center in this parade: the city of South Pasadena also has a suffrage-themed float, and the Tournament of Roses Association itself is led by Laura Farber. She’s a dynamic leader — the third woman and first Latina as its president.

The float’s name is “Years of Hope, Years of Courage,” and the motto is “Upon their shoulders, we won the vote. Upon our shoulders, we protect the vote. We celebrate and build for the future.” For nearly 100 years before 1920, women who knew they’d never live long enough to vote dedicated their lives to making sure their descendants could… whether they were women or people of color of both genders. Considering their sacrifice, voting in any election is an imperative; responsibility,  In 2020, it is vital.

Today, thanks to the efforts of a small but mighty group of women led by Nan Johnson, a retired professor at Rochester University in New York, the dream of having a Rose Parade float honoring women’s suffrage has become a reality. It is also a dream come true for many ardent women’s history and rights activists. Ms. Johnson and too many people to name got the float project rolling, while Martha Wheelock — a board member of the National Women’s History Alliance, a 501c3 — has been the liaison so that the donations for the float are tax-deductible.

As the float passes by or appears on your TV screen, look for 100 women (and a few men) from throughout the nation walking in period attire behind it, along with with notable people riding on it.

Dolores Huerta will be on the float, joined by descendants of heroes like Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Harriett Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass. Like the Statue of Liberty, they will wear the sash of gold, purple and white — the colors of the US Women’s suffrage movement.

The Out-Walkers are  following the float in a tradition started by Alice Paul in 1913. Alice, along with Lucy Burns, organized the first march down Pennsylvania Avenue to draw attention to the fact that only one-half of US citizens could vote: men. Women were expected to not be seen in public, let alone marching in a parade. Horrors! And voting? Poppycock — that was for men only.

Because of racist laws in some states, not all women were able to vote in 1920. Pasadena Celebrates 2020 is an intersectional tribute to those who were prevented from voting in the past and represents a determined commitment to helping to secure the right to vote for all in the future. 

PS …The float number with be #24.
If you’d like to donate to help with float expenses and/or help decorate the Suffrage float, go to pasadenacelebrates2020.org.

PPS … Live on Green! is Free for families at 300 E. Green Street; from December 28 through December 31. Activities for everyone. For hours and dates, visit liveongreenpasadena.com. The National Women’s History Alliance will have a table there. We would love to share the experience with you.”