We are more than halfway through our year of "Who Are Cambridge Women" and, although it hasn't gone as planned, we're excited to continue to bring you new research and reflection on the history of Cambridge women. Read on below for their incredible stories!

As you are likely aware, this month marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. While we celebrate this anniversary, we know that it was flawed, as barriers remained in place for many women, particularly immigrant women and women of color. We also know that barriers still exist.

The history of Cambridge, and our country, is shaped by us. We have the power to create a city and a community that reflects our values, and one of the ways we do that is through our constitutional right to vote. I hope you'll use this email as a reminder to check your voter registration status and commit to casting your vote this fall. The history of Cambridge needs you.

All the best,

Marieke Van Damme

Executive Director

The Boston area served as one of the many destinations for African American southern migrants searching for new economic opportunities and fleeing discrimination during the Great Migration. The National Parks of Boston has researched some of these stories, including that of Helen Lee Franklin, a teacher-turned-social justice advocate, who journeyed from the South to the Boston area in the early 1900s and had many ties to Cambridge.

Photo courtesy of the Berkshire Eagle

Barbara Ackermann, the first woman to serve as mayor of Cambridge, embodied the term “social justice warrior” in its truest form. Her decades-long fight for social equality defined her life in public service and her reputation for never backing down truly qualified her for the title.

This article was reproduced from Cambridge Chronicle & TAB with permission

When I enrolled in history graduate school at Harvard in September 1972, I was a recent convert to feminism, full of outrage at women’s treatment in society and determined to find the real story of women which had been left out of history textbooks.

Like many of you, we were captivated by the recent American Experience film, "The Vote."

We were proud to lend the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House as a filming location for this important project!

Last fall, the Cambridge Public Library hosted a roundtable exploring the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The event featured Dr. Jennifer Guglielmo, Rev. Irene Monroe, and Dr. Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson in a reflective dialogue about women’s rights across the 20th and 21st centuries, moderated by Andrea Asuaje.

Looking to learn more about the history of women in Cambridge? Check out these tours:

Cambridgeport Women’s History Walk 

Mid-Cambridge Women’s History Walk 

This project recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women from the early days of Cambridge to the present. There are over 400 women and women's organizations represented.

Browse the database and consider submitting an entry!

On Wednesday, August 26, our colleagues at Suffrage100MA will be hosting a virtual commemorative event of the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Speakers and activists include Governor Charlie Baker, First Lady Lauren Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, US Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and more.