Chief Senachwine DAR members learn about suffragists

Members of the Chief Senachwine DAR Chapter learned at its Feb. 1 meeting about outstanding women involved in the suffrage movement in America from the mid-1800s to 1920.

With the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in August 1920, the long struggle for women’s right to vote was finally ended. In June 1919, Illinois became the seventh state to ratify the amendment, also known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.

Surprisingly, Illinois was an early target of two prominent suffragists, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who spoke about suffrage even in small towns. In 1871 Anthony lectured in Princeton, and In 1878 Stanton gave talks in La Moille and Sheffield. For 50 years the trail-blazing duo traveled the country advocating for women’s suffrage.

Good news was reported during the business meeting. The chapter has received historical support for the wording of the Lincoln plaque, remembering his visit to Henry on Aug. 23, 1858. The chapter meeting, conducted by Regent pro tem, Sharon Bittner, also covered information on February as Black History Month and Heart Health Month. The Women’s Issues Chair, a former nurse, shared heart attack and stroke symptoms and offered blood pressure readings for interested members.

The Conservation Chair took a look back at the beginnings of conservation in the United States, and co-chairs of the Franco-American Memorial committee covered the travels of Marquis de Lafayette in America during February 1825. Members were encouraged to continue to vote online for their Illinois flag preference.

Delegates and alternates were elected for the State Conference, and the chapter delegate for the National Conference was also elected.

The next meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, at at the First Presbyterian Church in Henry. A reception will honor Good Citizens winners from Henry-Senachwine, Midland and Putnam County high schools. The program will be “Freedom Paws.”

Any woman 18 years and older who can prove lineage to a Revolutionary War Patriot is eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. For information and assistance, call 815-303-1034.