CINCINNATI, OH – In honor of Women’s History Month, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and YWCA Greater Cincinnati will host Power of the Ballot—a public discussion examining the role of women in shaping modern government and the barriers women still face while pursuing public office. The discussion, which takes place in the Everyday Freedom Heroes Gallery on Tuesday, March 1, features a diverse panel of Cincinnati’s female elected officials. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The panel will explore this year’s Women’s History Month theme, “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government,” through the legacy of educator and civil rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark and her role in developing the Citizenship Schools. Thousands of disenfranchised African Americans attended Clark’s Citizenship School classes during the height of the Civil Rights Movement—where eligible voters learned to read and write in order to pass the literacy tests required by southern states to register to vote.
Power of the Ballot panelists include Cincinnati City Councilwoman Amy Murray, Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco, Springfield Township Trustee Gwen McFarlin and Vice President of the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Elizabeth Brown.
“The Power of the Ballot public discussion will serve as a compelling kick off for Women’s History Month,” says Dr. Michael Battle, executive vice president and provost of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “The topic of inclusivity and equality is an ongoing point of discourse in election cycles, both local and national, and the panelists can personally speak to and educate the public on the progress that has been made and what we have yet to achieve in creating a government that is more reflective of its diverse citizens.”
Power of the Ballot begins Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Everyday Freedom Heroes Gallery at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and is free and open to the public. Visit freedomcenter.org for more information