Three years may seem early to start planning the 100th anniversary of Oregon women obtaining full voting rights, which voters approved in 1912. But given that women's suffrage was on the ballot six times over 28 years -- four of them by initiative -- maybe an early start is a good thing. More than 50 people came to a meeting at the State Archives Building to start offering ideas for the centennial and ways to pay for them."

Last week was a big one for 2012: Oregon Woman Suffrage Centennial and the Northwest History Network .

The Oregon Heritage Commission granted our request for funds to develop a comprehensive educational and informational centennial website for 2012: Oregon Woman Suffrage Centennial. A project of the Northwest History Network, the website will provide interpretive essays written by scholars, primary documents, and archival links to women's historical collections. 

On November 2, Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and State Archivist Mary Beth Herkert hosted a  reception in Salem to launch the 2012 Oregon Woman Suffrage Centennial. Attended by over fifty elected officials, representatives of government agencies and women's organizations, along with members of the academic and archival community and other stakeholders, the event began a collaboration between the many voices and perspectives needed to tell Oregon's suffrage history and women's history. Secretary Brown noted, "This was a vote that changed the face of Oregon and it came with the support of some brave and colorful figures from our past. This is a golden page in Oregon history." Held at the State Archives, Herkert and the archive staff displayed the original proclamation, initiative petitions, and Abigail Scott Duniway voter registration cards Learn more at Secretary Brown's blog.

Oregon Suffrage and Beyond: Roundtable Panel Session at the Northwest History and Heritage Conference, April 17, 2009

Oregon's 2012 Suffrage Centennial commemoration was the subject of lively and well-attended roundtable panel at the "Northwest History and Heritage Extravaganza" in Portland on April 17, 2009. The goal of the panel was to begin a conversation about how archivists, historians, and heritage professionals can use the upcoming Oregon suffrage centennial to make significant progress in understanding how women have contributed to history. Eliza Canty-Jones, editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly, facilitated the panel and urged those in attendance to contribute information about collections and ideas about activities for the commemoration as a way to make this anniversary a catalyst for the study of Oregon women's history. Kimberly Jensen, Professor of History at Western Oregon University, provided an overview of Oregon suffrage history and a discussion of major sources and the gaps in our sources for suffrage history in the state. Linda Long, archivist at the University of Oregon, and Geoff Wexler, archivist at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library, shared information about their respective collections that relate to women's history in Oregon. Shanna Stevenson, coordinator of the Washington Women's History Consortium, discussed the experiences of Washington's successful activities for their suffrage centennial this year. And historian Jan Dilg, who is facilitating the 2012 activities, shared information about the Oregon 2012 survey, website, and plans for activities.  

At the session and the conference many people contributed important suggestions, shared information about local women's history resources, took our survey, and are joining the 2012 network. These continuing conversations and networking will enable us to make 2012 meaningful all Oregonians. In selecting the title of "suffrage and beyond" we hope that this commemoration will enrich and inspire collecting and archiving of resources, research, writing, exhibits, and classroom education that addresses the broad scope of Oregon women's history. The achievement of suffrage was a central step in the ongoing struggle to address and overcome inequalities. That work continues, and we envision our work for 2012 as part of that vital project.