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It is hard to believe that before 1920, women in the United States were not permitted to voice their political opinion by casting a vote. Their place was believed to be in the home, supported by men, with their husbands and other males making those decisions. Thankfully, many determined women fought tirelessly to see that changed, one of which was Susan B. Anthony.
An interesting fact that you may not have known is that one of her stops during her 45-year-long journey spent crisscrossing the country, was right here in Lewistown. In February of 1880 she spoke to a standing room only audience in the Historic Courthouse, located on the square in downtown Lewistown. As fate would have it, this is also the location of my Chamber office.
Her lecture was divisive, heartily supported by some, viewed as scandalous by others. Her message, however, was clear. She believed that the inability to make, shape or control one's own circumstances was both morally and socially wrong, no matter a person's sex, education, political bend or race. She summed it up beautifully in this statement, "You remember the adage, beggars must not be choosers, they must take what they can get or nothing. That is exactly the position of women in the world today, they cannot choose. If they could, do you think they would take the subordinate places and the inferior pay?"
The local newspaper at the time, The Democrat and Sentinel, reported that her lecture was a clear, logical demonstration of the power of the ballot, and how with it, women could assert their independence, command the respect of politicians and become a moral power in the land.
Other national suffragists also stopped in Lewistown to promote their cause. One event was reported to have had crowds so large that they filled the Historic Courthouse steps, overflowed into the street, eventually crossing into Monument Square and beyond. I love picturing those courageous women who came before me, not afraid of public opinion, willing to take a stand for what they believed was right.
Regretfully, Susan B. Anthony died in 1906, never realizing the fruits of her labor. The women's right to vote passed by the United States Congress in 1919, then was sent to the individual states for ratification, eventually in 1920 becoming the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
You cannot help but feel a great sense of pride in the realization that many women in Mifflin County played important parts in this historic movement as well as forged new paths in other areas. Here are just a few of the interesting females who changed the course of local history. Mifflin County female firsts: In 1910, Jeanette Bingaman Snyder became the first woman to obtain a hunting license. In 1920, Miss Ella Saxton became the first to cast her vote. In 1934, Esther Miller Elcok became the only woman from Mifflin County to receive the Bronze Star for her services performed during World War II. She eventually went on to hold the position of director at F.W. Black Hospital in Lewistown. Dr. Eleanor Aurand was the first female pediatrician, beginning her practice in 1962, and the list could go on and on. We owe so much to these tenacious women who came before us.
Today we are fortunate enough to have women in a variety of positions in our community, as wonderful examples for our future generations. May they realize that there are no limits or boundaries to what is possible and have the courage to stand for what they believe in. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt, "Well-behaved women rarely make history."
I would like to note that much of the information referenced here can be found in the "It Happened in Mifflin County" book series written by Forest Fisher and published by the Mifflin County Historical Society. They are available for purchase in the Historic Courthouse.
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Rhonda S. Moore is executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce. She may be reached at rhondam@juniatarivervalley.org.