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Erica

Location: MI

Age: 52 years old

After several moves, I kept forgetting to transfer/update my voter registration; there were several elections I couldn't vote because I realized I hadn't updated my registration in time. But one International Women's Day, I just started reading and digging into the suffrage movement. Right then, I updated my voter registration. After another move coming, I wasn't about to let my registration fall off again. So I updated it. However, a glitch in the system didn't do it properly even though I had gotten confirmation it had. So, I went to my new polling place in Edwardian Suffrage costume to show I meant business. And I've dressed like this to vote since then. I realized that the suffrage movement in the U.S. took on the British color of purple, but then used yellow (instead of green) to widely promote the movement. So, I began making yellow sashes to go vote; thus using "Yellow Sash Revolution" to remind other women to use their hard-fought-for right and voice to put in a well-informed ballot. By going to the voting booth in suffragist costume, it has also created a lot of conversation about why we do this. In turn, this is why I do this.

Votes for Women; yellow sash; Febb Burn; Susan B. Anthony; Deeds Not Words; A Woman Living Here Has Registered to Vote Thereby Assuming the Responsibility of Citizenship

Featured Submissions

Violet

State: AL

Age: 5

I am excited about the monument because it isn't fair that girls aren't on the National Mall.

Leslie

State: CA

Age: 46

My grandmother, Juana, came to the United States from the Philippines in 1973 and opened the door to the life I was born into. She was gentle but strong, and her love shaped our big, close family in ways I carry with me every day. When I think about the monument, I see her and all the women whose quiet courage, often unseen, built the foundation for the generations that came after them.
Crayon drawing of a suffragist.

Graham

State: PA

Age: 14

I am inspired by the suffragists bravery when protesting outside the White House even when they knew they would get arrested.

Diane

State: SC

I am inspired by the suffragists creativity and resilience. I sewed this replica banner with one of my favorite slogans from the suffrage movement, "Forward Into Light".

Sloane

State: CA

Age: 14

My drawing is of a strong independent woman holding the women's suffrage flag that I feel represents this movement in history and continues to hold true today.

Lily

State: CA

Age: 12

My monument idea is one that honors the fight of the past while allowing space for the future of women’s rights to come. It is of a sash winding and rising upwards towards a fire. The fire represents courage, endurance, and the many voices of women who fought, and continue to fight for equality. It is a flame that can never be extinguished. At the bottom of the sash are symbols of the early suffrage movement such as a “Women Vote” button, a suffrage bluebird, and a yellow suffrage rose. The middle of the sash has the saying, “They ignited the flame. Our Voices Keep it Burning.” This honors the fight of those who came before us, and encourages new voices to continue their efforts for equality. The top of the sash is left empty and unwritten to allow for the next generation to leave their mark.