STUPENDOUS AND SPIRITED "SUFFS" AT THE BUSHNELL

For women, the right to vote was a sacred privilege, one that was fought for and significant to win. The 19th Amendment was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, hard battled after decades of struggle for suffragettes. Not all women, particularly Black and native American. won this fight immediately. This milestone was achieved after generations of protest during which women wrote, lectured, marched and even practiced civil disobedience to achieve a permanent change in the Constitution. Their victory, that began in the 1800’s, took decades to achieve. Women worked tirelessly to pass specific legislation state by state, went to court to challenge men over voting laws, picketed, held silent vigils, suffered hunger strikes, and even went to jail to show their resistance.

When President Wilson finally changed his position in 1918 to support this amendment, the political balance shifted its support. It was not until long into the 20th century, in 1965 , that minority groups finally gained the right to equal voting rights. Come patriotically join the parade of fearless women at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts when “Suffs”, with book, music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, unfolds its dramatic story from now until Sunday, February 1. Follow this powerful story as women from all walks of life risked their personal well being to gain the right to vote, even it meant the sacrifice of their lives.

A musical with a heartfelt message that mobilized females to fight for a captivating cause will excite and entertain and revolutionize. In the United States, these women followed the lead of their sisters in Britain, New Zealand and Australia to unite. With a motto "deeds, not words” they battled politicians and police, were attacked and sexually assaulted, smashed windows, and some, like 14 year old Emmeline Pankhurst began their dedicated campaign when only 14 years of age.

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With triumphant tunes like “Let Mother Vote,” “Wait My Turn,” “Show Them Who You Are,” “I Was Here,” “Finish the Fight,” and "Keep Fighting,” we meet heroines like Alice Paul (Maya Keleher), Inez Milholland (Monica Tulia Ramirez), Ida B. Wells (Danyel Fulton) and Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) in this glorious all female cast, in this dedicated love letter to daughters, mothers, sisters and wives of history.

For tickets ($48.50-167.50), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at bushnell.org. Performances are at Wednesday to Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.,and Sunday at 1 p.m and 6:30 p.m. Visit the tables in the lobby dedicated to women and girls and voting.

Join the sisterhood and proudly carry the flag and march passionately for democracy, admiring and applauding the devoted women who dedicated their lives making the women’s right to vote a reality.