In 1878, women’s rights advocates Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton introduced a constitutional amendment to grant women the right to vote. It wasn’t until 41 years later that Congress finally ratified the 19th amendment, effectively achieving women’s suffrage.
“Women’s Equality Day commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th amendment,” said Lysa Salsbury, director of the University of Idaho Women’s Center. “Our way of celebrating this occasion is by hosting FEMfest, a fair that brings people and organizations together to recognize this important day in history.”
The third-annual FEMFest will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, at the Idaho Commons Plaza behind Einstein Bros. Bagels. The event is free and open to the public and aims to get the UI community thinking about how feminism continues to grow into the 21st century.
Salsbury said an important component of FEMFest is the way it joins a serious conversation with having a good time. The event will include informational booths, as well as a raffle drawing, feminism ‘swag,’ music and free popcorn.
She said FEMfest localizes a national cause by bringing in community partnerships and alliances to promote women’s equality.
“One of the main purposes of the event is to introduce our office’s services to incoming and returning students,” Salsbury said. “FEMfest will showcase quite a few groups in the community and on campus that are supportive of and advocate for women’s equity.”
According to Assistant Director for Programs of the Women’s Center, Bekah MillerMacPhee, several university and community organizations are participating in the event. Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse, Moscow League of Women Voters, Moscow Women’s Giving Circle and Planned Parenthood are among the many groups tabling the FEMfest.
“The Moscow League of Women Voters will be there signing people up to vote in upcoming elections and then there will be other tables that are more interactive,” MillerMacPhee said. “But we’re also drawing attention to all of the resources that people presently have on campus and in the community.”
Salsbury said the Women’s Center hopes to send a message to all UI students — whether male or female — that the office is a place of acceptance and anyone is welcome to come in and see what the Women’s Center is all about.
“We’re here for all students,” Salsbury said. “Some may get the impression that we are only a resource for women, but that’s not true. Our doors are always open.”
Salsbury said the Women’s Center began coordinating FEMfest events in 2012 as part of the center’s 40th anniversary, but have continued to put it on each year since because of the positive feedback from the campus community.
MillerMacPhee said while the event will be lively and fun, it’s important for attendees to remember why Women’s Equality Day exists — because women had to fight long and hard for equitable rights.
“It’s going to be an informative and enjoyable event,” MillerMacPhee said. “It took many, many years for playing fields to level, and we want FEMfest to illustrate the importance of that to students.”