Learn about Suffrage: The Fight for Women’s Rights @ Westfield Library

(June 3, 2024) The Westfield Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and the Westfield Memorial Library and are proud to present to the public “Suffrage: The Fight for Women’s Rights” on Saturday, June 22, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.

Presented by historical speaker and performer Trish Chambers, this program chronicles the fight for women’s right to vote along with other rights that they were previously denied. Chambers will lead an eye-opening discussion of how we have gotten where we are and where we still need to go. Dressed in period costume, she will introduce the audience to the women who drove the fight to be recognized as U.S. citizens equally under the law as well.

“Voting is now considered a fundamental right in the United States, and central to a citizen’s participation in our representative democracy,” says Allen McGinley, Library Director. “But as we know, this right was not always afforded to all citizens. I’m delighted for the library to partner with the Westfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in presenting this important history of women’s suffrage.”

Trish Chambers has a unique and energetic presentation style that combines humor and realism. She has appeared at National Parks, schools, libraries, historical societies, colleges, quilt guilds and senior facilities along the Eastern seaboard. She has also appeared on TV for the History Channel, on radio and in the movie “Gods and Generals.”

Chambers has received numerous awards for her work with the developmentally challenged and the elderly. The New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate have recognized Trish for her participation in the Orange County Rehabilitation Support Services Speakers Forum.

The author of two non-fiction books: "Civil War Women: Their Roles and Legacies" and "Lighthouses of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge", Chambers is the recipient of the Business Advisory Council National Leadership Award.

Diana Kazazis of the NSDAR described Chambers as “very knowledgeable about her subject, very engaging and articulate…she focuses on women in history, which I think the public needs to learn more about!”

Both the Sons and the Daughters of the American Revolution (SAR and DAR) are currently displaying artifacts of interest from the Revolution at the library in celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The display will run through the month of June.

Library hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. The library will be closed June 16 for Father’s Day and June 19 for Juneteenth.