On Thursday, August 26, our League members, as well as members of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association and The Historical Society of Oak Park-River Forest, will celebrate the installation of the National Votes for Women Trail Marker honoring Grace Wilbur Trout.
Mrs. Trout was president of the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association (IESA) from 1912 to 1920 and spearheaded the campaign for woman suffrage in the state. Once the Nineteenth Amendment had been enacted, IESA decided its work was finished and was succeeded by the Illinois League of Women Voters. Mrs. Trout signed the Illinois League's incorporation documents.
The marker will be situated at the site of Mrs. Trout's home, 414 Forest Ave., and the current homeowner, Elizabeth Celio, gave permission for the marker to be installed on her property. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, August 26. Gathering on the sidewalk outside the house will begin at 12:30pm, with the ceremony starting at 1:00pm. Masks will be required for the presentation. Afterward, all are invited back to the Nineteenth Century Club building for cookies and lemonade. RSVP your attendance to the Historical Society so enough refreshments will be available outside the Nineteenth Century building.
Thanks to the three ladies who worked together to get this marker approved and installed: Marge Massarello representing LWV OPRF, Mary Ann Porucznik representing the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, and Rachel Berlinski, operations manager of the OPRF Historical Society. Bravo!
