Alexandria To Recognize 100th Anniversary Of 19th Amendment

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The centennial of the 19th amendment, guaranteeing women's right to vote, will be recognized in Alexandria through several events. The 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment's ratification is coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson will issue a proclamation recognizing the 19th amendment's anniversary. It will be presented at an outdoor ceremony on the steps of the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library at 5 p.m. on Aug. 18. The library was named after Kate Waller Barrett, an Alexandria resident known for her social and voting rights activism.

On Tuesday, the Torpedo Factory will open its American Suffrage Art & History Exhibit. The Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association is featuring a variety of women’s suffrage-inspired art, voting rights history, voter registration information and a life-size "selfie" suffragist backdrop in the Marian Van Landingham Gallery on the third floor (Studio 311).

The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. Masks are required to enter the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and social distancing should be followed.

The 19th amendment commemoration events are being promoted by the volunteer nonprofit Alexandria Celebrates Women. The organization seeks to recognize the accomplishments of Alexandria women and celebrate the empowerment of modern Alexandria women.

The organization's third event, a Women's History Bike Ride, was held on Saturday, Aug. 15. This bike ride takes participants to sites associated with women's history. Sponsored by Alexandria’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), Alexandria Celebrates Women and the Alexandria Spokeswomen, the event is free with registration.

The starting point was near the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 132 North Royal Street. Rides had staggered start times (7:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 8:30 a.m.) for groups of eight or less. Riders could choose to follow some or all of the route.

The bike rides follow health protocols due to the pandemic. Rides were in groups of ten, which includes one ride leader, one sweep and eight participants. Riders were asked to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat or muscle aches. Anyone who experiences symptoms or has been exposed to a known case within the last 14 days should refrain from participating. Masks are required at the starting point and during history stops.

Items needed for the ride include a working bike and helmet, a face covering, hand sanitizer, water and weather-appropriate clothing. Riders are encouraged to wear women’s suffrage-era costumes or American suffrage colors of purple, white and gold or decorate their bicycles with suffrage colors.