CRYSTALLIZING OUR CONNECTIONSFROM THE CAROLINA WOMEN’S CENTER TO COLLABORATIVE CURATION OF 1971

THE CAROLINA WOMEN’S CENTER (CWC) is honored to serve as a collaborator on 1971, CPA’s first-ever outdoor art installation, during this 19/20 season. A critical component of CWC’s mission is to make the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a more inclusive environment by celebrating progress made toward gender equity. 1971 is truly a celebration that honors local sheroes who have contributed to expanding voting rights in the area since North Carolina’s ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1971, the year for which this art installation is named.

Having ratified the 19th Amendment in 1971 should not be a point of pride for North Carolinians. It occurred more than 50 years after Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify it on August 18, 1920, thus providing the requisite three-fourths majority needed to amend the US Constitution. So, the ratification in North Carolina was mostly symbolic. It should also be noted that black women legally gained the right to vote through the passage of the 19th Amendment. However, this right for them and other women of color has been challenged and suppressed since the 1920s: after the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, after the 1971 ratification of the 19th Amendment in North Carolina, and up until now. From restrictive voter ID laws to cutbacks on early voting and fraud around mailed absentee ballots—these issues and others contribute to voter disenfranchisement. These efforts to suppress votes,

particularly among marginalized groups, are all issues that persist and deserve ongoing, dedicated attention to combat.

This takes me back to 1971—a special outdoor art installation to honor those who are committed to combatting voter disenfranchisement. It’s an effort to recognize women who have served and continue to serve (without any recognition or fanfare) to expand and protect voting rights for all persons. These women are not political leaders or publicly recognized individuals, but they toil nonetheless, and they make a difference every day. CWC is pleased to be a part of this event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment by helping to identify and honor our unsung sheroes. •

CAMPUS PARTNER

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GLORIA THOMAS

GLORIA THOMAS is the director of the Carolina Women’s Center. The CWC contributes to making the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a more inclusive environment by celebrating achievements towards gender equity and by ensuring there are no gender-based barriers to success. Visit WOMENSCENTER.UNC.EDU to learn more.

the ChAMBeR ORCheStRA Of the tRIANGLe2 0 1 9 / 2 0 T i c k e t s n o w a v a i l a b l e

Making noise all season long at The Carolina Theatre of Durham and throughout the Triangle with a fulllineup of concerts and special events featuring the COT’s String Quartet-in-Residence, The Verona Quartet.

t h e c O T. o r g | (9 1 9 ) 3 3 5 - 6 1 2 5

1971 IS A FREE PUBLIC OUTDOOR

INSTALLATION—a first for Carolina Performing Arts—by acclaimed projection artist Craig Walsh. The installation runs daily after dusk September 7–29 (September 7–17 at UNC’s Polk Place and September 19–29 at Chapel Hill Public Library. Closed September 18). Subjects were chosen by a curatorial panel representing the Carolina Women’s Center, Chapel Hill Public Library, and the Southern Oral History Program.

Visit CAROLINAPERFORMINGARTS.ORG/1971

for locations and more information.

1971: CELEBRATING THE 19TH AMENDMENT

PHOTO BY CRAIG SILLITOE PHOTOGRAPHY