MELBOURNE SUFFRAGE EVENT IDEAS

  • Suffrage section on Melbourne AAUW website
  • Reading list on women’s suffrage campaign for Melbourne AAUW and for Brevard county libraries
  • Donate a book to Brevard County library on women’s suffrage
  • Obtain a resolution from the Brevard County Commissioners recognizing the centennial of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment and the efforts of women on county issues
  • Show short film clips about women’s suffrage at Melbourne AAUW meetings over the year
  • Have a group attend the Induction Ceremony for the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in Orlando on October 29, 2019
  • Nominate a member, former member or resident of Brevard County for 2020 Florida Women’s Hall of Fame
  • Nominate woman for Spirt of Community Award given by Florida Commission for the Status of Women
  • Research and write history of women’s suffrage movement in Brevard County—A state senator from Cocoa introduced a women’s suffrage bill in the 1917 or 1918 session of the Florida legislature so there must have been some support in Brevard county then, although Florida did not ratify the Nineteenth Amendment until 1969.
  • Find speaker on suffrage for Melbourne AAUW or skit for meeting
  • Send someone from Melbourne AAUW to 2020 LEAD (leadership, education, advocacy and development) Summit in Tallahassee on Feb 5-6, 2020. Given by Florida Commission on the Status of Women for education on the legislative process and networking.
  • Identify challenges for women today—voting? Other issues?
  • Identify first women voters in Brevard County; find descendants and acknowledge their pioneering ancestors.
  • Oral history project–interview Melbourne AAUW members who have memories of significant women in their lives telling them about getting the right to vote in 1920.
  • Put together a lesson plan on women’s suffrage in Brevard County (if we can get enough information) for teachers.