Danielle de la Torre is an Advertising major graduating this semester. She is completing a women’s studies internship with Celebrate Women 2020, a Gainesville initiative to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, and Gainesville activists’ leadership in the feminist movement.
The 19th amendment, passed by congress on June 4, 1919, guaranteed all women in the United States the right to vote. It is commonly believed that this amendment only gave White women the right to vote. However, due to systemic racism and local bigotry, women of color were denied access to the polls in their areas. In fact, although the 15th amendment, ratified in 1870, granted Black and African American men the right to vote, systemic racist laws, policies, and practices continued to disenfranchise Black and African American people in the U.S.
Something I learned over the course of my internship with Celebrate Women 2020 is that Gainesville was actually a huge part of the women’s movement. In 1968, Carol Hanisch moved to Gainesville and started a “freedom for women” project, which eventually turned into the Gainesville Women’s Liberation group, which is active today. Gainesville was also a hub for activism in women’s health and reproductive justice. In 1974, Byllye Avery, Joan Edelson, Judy Levy, and Margaret Parrish found the Gainesville Women’s Health Center. Avery went on to establish the National Black Women’s Health Project, now known as the Black Women’s Health Imperative.
Celebrate Women 2020, where I am an intern, was formed to celebrate the centennial of the 19th amendment and Gainesville’s important place in the history of the U.S. women’s movement. Specifically, we will be organizing, coordinating, and promoting amazing events happening in March to celebrate this important milestone. We are organizing a parade and seminars as well as creating a keepsake magazine with information about Gainesville and the women’s movement. We are particularly fortunate to have confirmed Byllye Avery for a visit back to Gainesville in March to give our keynote address. We hope you will mark your calendars!
UF is also planning events and initiatives to Celebrate 2020. Specifically, the Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research is working with UF’s Chief Diversity Officer, the College of the Arts, and leaders across campus to coordinate commemorative events as well as strategic actions that promote women and gender equity. Many colleges, divisions, and units across campus have submitted their initiatives, which will be collated and publicized. To receive a copy of the UF Celebrate 2020 Call for Action, please contact the Center or your college or division’s Chief Diversity Liaison.
To find Celebrate Women 2020 online, visit our website at http://celebratewomen2020.org/ and our Facebook page “Celebrate Women 2020”. We’re also on Instagram and Twitter @CeleWomenGNV. For more information on the Gainesville Women’s Movement, visit https://ufdc.ufl.edu/rwg/timeline.
