From the Parlor to the Polling Place: Stories and Songs

Past event
Mar 18, 2023, 2 to 3 PM

You won't want to miss this event at MCL in honor of Women's History Month. Singer and historian Linda Radtke, (VT Humanities Speakers Bureau), will share stories and songs from the suffragists. Both the songs and stories in Radtke's engaging presentation, accompanied by pianist David Gibson, highlight Vermonters' efforts from 1840-1921, as they lobbied in churches, at "parlor meetings" at town halls and at the State House for total enfranchisement. Songs include "Shall Women Vote?" "New America," "Giving the Ballot to the Mother" or "Voting as we Pray," as well as rousing Christian hymns. Radtke also traces the movement's alignment with other social justice initiatives such as temperance, labor conditions, wage equity, peace, and children's welfare.

Linda Radtke was a Vermont high school teacher for thirty-one years and now produces the VPR Choral Hour on Vermont Public Radio. She has a special interest in local history, and enjoys doing research on each town she visits with her programs.

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Manchester Community Library, Cemetery Avenue, Manchester Center, VT

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