In 2012, Oregonians will observe the 100th anniversary of the achievement of woman suffrage in our state.

Women in western states led the way in successful campaigns for the vote well before the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in August 1920. Since 1912, Oregon women have been able to fully engage in the political process, holding office as well as their long-standing role as activists.

Oregon's suffrage history is a vibrant and vital part of the story of votes for women in our region, the nation, and around the globe.

The upcoming centennial is an opportunity for all Oregonians to reflect on important topics: the ongoing role women have played in our state's history, the lessons of the suffrage movement, the achievements of citizen-based political movements, and the importance of civic engagement -- among many other important historic and contemporary issues.

Using the anniversary as a broad, unifying theme, organizations across the state -- small and large, and with a wide range of goals and expertise -- can enhance the recognition and study of women in Oregon. Potential outcomes include (but are not limited to):

• exhibits and public programs
• enhanced archival collections and oral histories
• television, radio, and internet programming
• lesson plans and syllabi
• publications and research

We invite you to begin networking with others to observe this important occasion. One first step is to ask you to share what you think is most important to learn and do, as well as share any specific plans you may have by filling out a brief survey.

Over the past year the work of planning for the centennial has made great strides. As a project of the Northwest History Network, the Oregon Woman Suffrage Centennial received a grant for $9,961 from the Oregon Heritage Commission to develop an official centennial website that will contain historical documents, essays, and current information about the 2012 centennial.  Grant funding requires matching funds, though, and we need your help raising our share of the matching funds.  So far we've raised $3,350 toward our goal of $7,490!
 
Beginning March 16, 2010 you can donate to the Oregon Woman Suffrage Centennial by clicking the "Donate" button to the right.

Not into online donations? You can still support the centennial by writing a check to the Northwest History Network and mailing it to 410 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97214.
 
The Northwest History Network is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Your gift is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Selling Suffrage and Sandwiches at the Portland Rose Festival

 

"Votes-for-Women Ballyho Wagon, Pike Davis Spieling, Will Furnish Sandwiches," Portland Evening Telegram, June 8, 1912, 2.

The Portland Rose Festival was in its fifth year in 1912 and members of the Portland Woman's Club Suffrage Campaign Committee capitalized on the event as an occasion to promote the votes for women campaign in full swing that summer. The suffrage lunch wagon was a popular hit and brought a great deal of publicity to the cause.

 

Campaign committee members, led by Esther Pohl, used the kitchen of the Women of Woodcraft Hall to prepare sandwiches, ice cream, doughnuts and soda to sell from noon until 2:00 each day of Rose Festival week. They decorated a Speedwell truck with votes for women banners and bunting in suffrage white and yellow and rode through the streets selling sandwiches and suffrage to the crowd.

 

W.M. "Pike Davis, head of the Multnomah County Men's Equal Suffrage League, was on board the suffrage lunch wagon to call out to the crowds. When it rained, as sometimes happens in Portland in June, workers unfurled a large votes-for-women umbrella.

 

The use of popular media and participation in parades was part of the new votes for women movement of the early twentieth century. The Oregon campaign benefitted from the successful popular promotion of the suffrage cause.

 

Additional Reading:

 

"Buns to Boost Suffrage," Oregonian, June 10, 1912, 10.

 

"Hot Cakes Not In It," Oregonian, June 12, 1912, 9.